Sunday Re Cap (26th July 2009)

Do you know that ABBA knows your name?

Exo 33:12-14

• We were saved for good works; good works cannot save us! Eph 2:8,9
  
• Do not go back AGAIN to the yoke of slavery, bondage but meditate on your sonship! Rom 8:15, Gal 5:1
  
• We need to cultivate a sense of "God knowing us by name!" We are not a face in the crowd. He knows us personally. Eph 1:4-5
  

Application

When we cultivate a sense of ABBA knowing us by name:

1. We have DIVINE FAVOUR (unmerited, unearned and undeserved) in His sight. Exo 33:12
   
   1. God will bring the right people at the right time because we have His favour!
      
   2. The only favour we are to seek is the favour of God and that we have when we KNOW that God knows us by name!
      
2. We will have DIVINE GUIDANCE. Exo 33:13
   
   1. It is our Father's prerogative, His initiative to show us His ways.
      
   2. It's the Father's initiative to teach and not the child's to learn! He will keep teaching us until we get it because we are His children! This is what the word chasten means in Heb 12:6
      
   3. He will give us "his ways". Divine strategy. Joh 15:16
      
3. We will know Him. DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. Exo 33:13
   
   1. Moses realises that as He rests on Divine Favour and submits to God's ways (Divine Guidance), He also learns of God (v13) (Divine Knowledge). Moses agenda of working, performing is to "that I may know you".
      
   2. Many times, we have been told, "you got to know God more! MORE!" or "The reason you are not blessed is because you have not spent time knowing God and knowing His ways!" How much do we need to know God before we receive our INHERITANCE?
      
   3. Through the process of continuously cultivating a sense that "God knows me by name"; we will know Him.
      
4. DIVINE PRESENCE: His presence will go with us.Exo 33:14.
   
   1. We can be ASSURED of HIS PRESENCE when we know that HE KNOWS US BY NAME!
      
5. He will give us DIVINE REST. Exo 33:14
   
   1. Many Christians are living in ignorance and cannot rest. Prov 29:18; Luk 10:20.
      

We need to have a revelation that HE KNOWS OUR NAME! GO AHEAD SAY IT; "HE KNOWS MY NAME" (3 Times).

Mat 11:28-30-Coming to Jesus is coming to His finished work of the cross. It's only there can we find rest.

© Pastor Samuel Hari, GROW BM.

Sunday Re Cap (19th July 2009)

Stronger
by David Lai

• Job 1:12 Power was given to Satan by words. Satan has no power of himself. We can hear ourselves when we talk and know if we have given the power to the adversary.
  
• Satan does not know what we think except when we talk.
  
• Do we really believe what we say? Is there a voice of defeat?
  
• There are irritations around the world which will try to derail us back to Egypt. Like Jacob and his family during the time of famine. The economic situation, political climate around the world are irritations that may try to derail us.
  
• However we need to understand that God will simply reposition us to engage with the marketplace, (our Egypt, place of irritation) to position ourselves for a greater stage!
  

1Sam 17:32- David said-let no one's heart fail. It is important not to allow our hearts to fail and to keep strong through our words! We are also not to be intimidated by the words of the Goliaths' around us. Our victory depends on staying strong with God's Word.

Job 1:4-5; Job 3:25-Job reinforced what he feared thorough his words. Therefore it manifested. Many times, we reinforce our fears instead of our faith through our words. Death and Life are in the power of our tongues (Pro 18:21)

1 Sam 17:33-37-memory of past defeats, failures-how do we break them?

• David recalled his past victories through God and used it to strengthen himself through his words to Saul. He did not allow Saul's words of discouragement to affect him but instead recounted God's faithfulness boldly even though Saul was far more experienced and powerful positionally than him.
  
• Through Imaginations-God took Abraham to see the stars.Gen 15:5. New imagination. A new mindset that is stronger than the past. Jeremiah made excuses based on his personal experience-God showed him a new imagination-almond tree. Jer 1:6-19
  

The Word of God is powerful. It has substance. Even our words describing something sour in our mouth can cause us to squirm. The Lemonade illustration. How much more the word of God!

1 Kgs 17:9-12 The widow was probably angry and offended with Elijah for being the cause of the draught hence her harsh words and selfishness which was substantiated. How many times do we justify our wrong words because of our circumstances?

However, Elijah's words brought a new imagination which changed the widow's circumstances. V14-15.

Heb 11.13-16-the children of Israel had the opportunity to return. Where? Firstly, in the mindset and then the natural manifestation!

Let's get STRONGER through God's Words! Satan has been driven out of the presence of God and can no longer accuse us.(Col 2:14-15). In his place is our King of kings, Jesus Christ, who is the High Priest of our confession.(Heb 3:1). God watches over His word to perform it (Jer 1:12) As we speak words that are according to Jesus' finished work on the cross, Jesus also confesses them and the Father brings about the manifestation. Speak words of healing, provision, protection, NOW! Begin to imagine BIG!

Sunday Re Cap (12th July 2009)

Where is Your Security?

By Dr. T. Moses

Text: Matt 14:22-31

1) "JESUS IS ALWAYS WATCHING US."
They were sailing upon the Sea of Galilee, just the 12 of them. Jesus told them to SAIL to the other side and He was going to the mountain to be alone and pray.
His disciples were being completely obedient to what Jesus had commanded them to do. Sometimes people think that IF they ARE doing what Jesus told them to do, then there will be no storms for them to sail through; everything will be mountain experiences. But such thinking is not always true and real.

- Knowing Christ and making Him known is what we are called to do.

2) GOD WALKS TOWARD US:

v.25 "Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea."
God is always walking towards His people who are struggling and wrestling with their needs.
That means He is there every day of our lives, regardless of what storms we sail against; Jesus never wants us to be fearful, but to place all our confidence, hope and assurance in Him.

- Jesus Christ will come on time; He will meet each one of us where we want to meet Him. God is interested in each one of us individually.

3) JESUS WORKS FOR US
Jesus walked on the water toward them and the disciples thought He was a spirit, a ghost. Peter cried out, "Lord, if it is You, bid me to come unto you."

- And in the very midst of the storm, the winds blowing and the waves rocking; Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. He had his eyes on Jesus.

- Jesus will knock on the door, but never force the door open. In Jesus Christ each one of us will be spotted anyway, anytime and everywhere.

4) DO NOT DOUBT (Matt 14:30-31)

³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

- Peter fell because he doubted. How much do we doubt Jesus who is our personal Saviour?

John 14:1
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

BELOVED, THAT IS THE KEY TO OUR DELIVERANCE AND OUR VICTORY. NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE AND NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE BATTLING AGAINST, IF WE KEEP OUR EYES CONSTANTLY FIXED UPON JESUS, WE HAVE VICTORY AND ASSURANCE.

-Where is your security? Is it in Jesus Christ?

Sunday Re Cap (5th July 2009)

When Abba knows you by Name!

Exo 33:12-14 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.' (13) "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people." (14) And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."

Observation

1. Moses is anxious to know "who", "how to", etc. Many times we are given an assignment at work or school and wonder who is going to help us and how are we going to finish the task. We may have challenges at home or work and need God's favour and guidance daily to overcome.
   
2. The Lord seems to connect knowing Moses by name to finding favour in His sight.
   
3. We need to cultivate a sense of "ABBA knowing us by name!" We are not a face in the crowd. He knows us personally. Eph 1:4-5
   

Application

When we cultivate a sense of ABBA knowing us by name:

1. We have divine
   favour (unmerited, unearned and undeserved). Exo 33:12-13
   
   1. We don't need to worry "who" will help us anymore! Who's going to help me in my assignment? My problem at work? With my children?
      
   2. Many times we try to seek to be known by men and then we are let down when they are no longer in power or a place of influence.
      
   3. The only favour we are to seek is the favour of ABBA and that we have when we KNOW that ABBA knows us by name!
      
   4. ABBA will bring the right people at the right time because we have His favour!
      
   5. It is not a matter of how much we know Him because our knowledge of Him is limited and fluctuating. His love for us is consistent whatever the circumstances. It is our sense of ABBA knowing us that brings us favour!
      
2. We will divine guidance. Exo 33:13
   
   1. We don't need to be worried about "how?"
      
      1. We only reveal our detail plans to those we know intimately. When we know that ABBA knows us, He will reveal His most detail plans for our lives and we don't need to get fearful or anxious! Joh 15:16
         
      2. BETTER COVENANT, BETTER PROMISES! Heb 8:6. He was talking about the law (our ways, strife, stress) versus His ways (rest, secure, inheritance).
         
      3. STOP getting stressed out and striving. Remember this is the biggest cause of sickness and disease.
         

What is the key to ABBA's FAVOUR and GUIDANCE for every situation? REST and KNOW that ABBA knows you by NAME!

© Samuel Hari, GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (28th June 2009)

Receiving All Things (Pt 1)

1. Invoking The New Covenant
   

Heb 8:10-12: 4 Clauses Of The New Covenant.

The frequency that invokes the first 3 clauses the New Covenant:

"For YOU will be merciful to my unrighteousness, and my sins and my iniquities YOU will remember no more."

1. Invoking Full Rights as Sons
   

Gal 3:29: And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

Heir-klēronomos (klay-ron-om'-os): one who receives his allotted possessions by right of sonship

How do we receive our full allotted possessions? We receive our allotted possessions because we have the right to be sons! Not in the future; NOW!

Gal 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, (5) so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Sons-uihos (hwee-os') : the placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons) Or A mature full grown son.

Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Heir-one who receives his allotted possessions by right of sonship.

We invoke our sonship by crying ABBA Father. Cultivate the sense of intimacy and sonship.

Some examples of Invoking the Frequency of SONSHIP:

• Gen 33:9-11 Jacob and Esau-Sons have everything!
  
• Rom 8:15 Spirit of sonship casts out the spirit of bondage again to fear.
  
• Matt 4 Jesus refused to perform for the devil and maintained His position as a BELOVED son
  
• John17:11 (sense of protection), 26 (sense of His love)
  
• Num 13:25-55-Not just filled but FLOWING with Milk and Honey for SONS!
  
• Num 14:22-24 Possession is a matter of spirit.
  
• Lk 15:24-Hwee-os'-mature full grown son
  
• Lk 15:31-Teknon-older brother-child
  
• 2 Kgs 2:12 Elijah and Elisha-invoking the Double Portion of the Anointing by crying "My Father, My Father!"
  

Continued next week….

© Ps Samuel Hari, GROW BM

Sunday Re Cap (21st June 2009)

How does the Father See Us? Why Are God's Children Not Possessing Their Inheritance?

Nehemiah (The type of The Holy Spirit) asks for 3 things and HE reminds believers to keep 3 things in perspective to possess our inheritance. Neh 2:6-8

1. Time- Now is the time to possess
   
2. Letters-Bible, will and the testament of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
   
3. Timber-keep in perspective the cross! This is the focus of the Holy Spirit.
   

On This Father's Day; what is it that will please our Daddy God the most? That we possess our inheritance.

Gal 3:29 We are heirs! Not heir apparent.

Gal 4:1
Many times misinterpreted saying we need to mature, grow up spiritually to possess. Many times we are taught that; we don't possess because we are a child and need to grow spiritually.

Gal 4:2-3 This term of "children" does not refer to immature, imperfect believers and Christians who are born again at all; but refers to the Jews, including Paul, who were held under the law. The law was the guardian until a specific time!

Gal 4:4-7

• Paul uses another term here. "Hwee-os"
  
• The placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons).
  
• mature full grown son.
  

• So if we are "hwee-os'" why are we not inheriting?
  
  • V6-the spirit of sonship operates by this spontaneous cry of ABBA, FATHER!
    
  • Cultivate the spirit of sonship and this spirit will cast out that very spirit of fear!
    
• Elisha cried out "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" 2 King 2:12
  
• This is picture of the church when Jesus was taken up and the double portion of the mantle of the Holy Spirit fell upon us!
  
• Elisha perform double (16) the miracles of Elijah (8).
  
• What was the key that released this? The cry "My Father, My Father".
  
• Jesus said the things that I do you will do and greater things because I go to My Father! The same picture as Elijah and Elisha! Double portion! John 14:12
  
• Christians are still looking for the mercy of God from the outside when God has said that out of your belly shall flow "rivers"! John 7:38
  
• Our healing is within us and the more we cultivate the spirit of sonship, the more we will receive the spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will quicken our mortal bodies. Rom 8:11
  
• How do we stir it up? The right frequency, when we say "ABBA FATHER".
  
• It's RIVERS of LIVING WATERS.
  

Let's tune in to the right frequency!

© Ps. Samuel Hari (GROW BM)

Sunday Re-Cap (14th June 2009)

The Presence of the Living God
By Ps. Abel Phillips

Ex 33:13-15
13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

God wants to give His presence to each and every one of us as we proceed in the highway towards our promise and purpose that God has for each one of us.

Four Aspects of the Presence of God
1. The Common /General Presence – for everyone Act 17:28 the apostle says: In Him we move, live and have our being - Omnipresent.

2. The Relational Presence of God
This relational presence is what all of us should seek for that the reason why Jesus Christ came for 2000 years ago– relational presence of God to be restored. Relational presence is where our impurity is taken away by God not by ourselves

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Mt 7:21-23; 1 John 1:5-7 & 1 John 3:3-6)


3. The Working Presence of God (Active)
2 Chronicles 20 – King Jehoshaphat and Israel was invaded by the neighbouring nation, and they hear the WORD of the Lord saying: Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

As a result of Jehoshaphat’s obedience and the songs of God’s people, Israel was delivered from the hands of the invaders. That’s the active presence of God; and Israel did not do anything to win that war.

4. THE TRANSCENDENT PRESENCE
The Lord wants us to have the presence that goes beyond the earthly; goes beyond our dimension. God wants to do that for every single one of us, church. Not just for some selected Christians, He wants to do it for everybody.

Peter who denied Jesus before the servant girl, now on the Day of Pentecost was able to preach to thousands with no intimidation because of the change through the Transcending Presence of God.

Without the Presence of the Living God:
Ø WE HAVE NO SUSTAINABILITY – If we allow His presence; He sustains us because He is the author & finisher of our purpose in life. Israel in the desert for 40 years was sustained by God.

Ø WE CAN’T FULLY BE PROTECTED -When people abandoned God’ presence they have no protection and Moses understood that concept. He couldn’t move into the next dimension and everything that God has for him. E.g. Daniel’s friends saved by God from the furnace of fire.

Ø WE CAN’T DISCOVER GOD’S ANSWERS - He wants us to have His presence so that he will help us discover His answer for a situation.

Ø WE LACK GOD’S COMPANIONSHIP - Without His presence, we don’t have companionship that produces peace.

Ø WE CAN’T MAKE THE NECESSARY RE-ADJUSTMENT TO OUR SITUATION - God helped Joshua to re-adjust and win in Ai; which they lost before. We all need to allow God’s presence to make re-adjustment to our situation.

Sunday Re Cap (7th June 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom: Getting REAL with GOD

Text: Matt 6:33

Introduction

We are citizens of the kingdom and are supposed to be enjoying ALL THINGS added to us each and every day of our lives. However, why aren't we enjoying these benefits every day? We live in a world with real challenges. There are sometimes sicknesses, pain, suffering and we receive them as part and parcel of life. However, is this the real world? Is God real? How can we get REAL with GOD?

(2Co 4:18) we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.

What we see, the pain, the sickness, the suffering are not lasting. They are temporary. Not just in the next world, but here and now. These are facts and facts are SUBJECT to CHANGE. God is the author and finisher of our faith and if we will allow HIM to, HE writes our stories. Let HIM write your story. The TRUTH, JESUS, never changes. HE is the same yesterday, today and forever. The things which are not seen, the promises of God, the TRUTH never changes and are everlasting. THIS IS THE REAL WORLD.

(2Co 5:7) for we walk by faith, not by sight;

Again, we do not walk by sight in what we see, feel, and hear by our natural senses. These are facts. We are a NEW CREATION (2 Cor 5:17) created in Christ Jesus and we have different senses i.e. spiritual senses. However, these need to be developed over time. How? Through the renewing of our mind with the Word of God. (Eph 4:22-24; Rom 12:2).

Rom 3:23-28 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; (25) whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God;

Many a times, we quote Rom 3:23 but do not see the following verses. We have been justified freely by GRACE (the unmerited, unearned, undeserved favour of GOD) through Christ. It is appropriated by FAITH in His blood; not by works. God has forgiven us completely. God the Father honours the finished works of His Son; so must we. This is REAL. It is not just a matter of head knowledge, but God offers us a direct, personal intimate relationship with us through the finished works of His Son. Healing is REAL! Prosperity is REAL! Whatever, state we live in, we do not have to remain in it. It is temporary. SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

Luk 15:21-24 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. (23) And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry, (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.

We sometimes see the graciousness of God in this story of the prodigal son and sometimes may even think that this is an exception where the sins of the son goes unpunished and the younger son is lavishly blessed! This was even the perspective of the older brother.(Lk 15:28-30). However, this is REALITY! We are forgiven and we are blessed lavishly by our father in Heaven. Is this fair? Why no punishment? No repentance? No consequence of our sins? This was what the older brother was asking.

Was there really no punishment and no consequence? The father says in v23, "And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry". The fatted calf was not sacrificed somewhere else. It was sacrificed right in front of the younger son. The son was unclean; but the sinless, fattened calf was pure and undefiled. There was an exchange made. All of the sins of the son, the punishment, consequences were put of the calf and it was killed. All of the perfection of the animal was put on the son. The younger son SAW this as the perfect sacrifice and was therefore able to enjoy the blessings of the father!

GOD is a FAIR GOD! Jesus, the perfect sacrifice took all of our sins, punishment and the consequences thereof and made us perfect in the Father's sight. We are now sinless and spotless like the son. As he is, so are we in this world (1 Jn 4:17). When we see the perfect sacrifice of the SON of God, we too can enjoy the lavish blessings of our Heavenly Father!

1 Pet 3:6 6.like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Women, you are not called the daughters of Sarah by any chance. Sarah was the only one in the Bible that received the gift of renewed youth. It was very real. The king wanted her for his harem!

How do we receive this REAL blessing? By doing what is right i.e. believe in the finished work of His Son and do not give way to fear! Fear of the FACTS! What we feel in our natural bodies, joint pains, wrinkles, and what the world says about old age! Keep believing that you are daughters of Sarah. Confess JESUS and do not give in to FEAR!

Conclusion

Jesus is REAL. Allow the Father to write the story of our lives by believing in the finished work of His Son on the cross. Everything is subject to change i.e. our pain, suffering, calamities. Let us continue to develop a deep and personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. Do not receive the FACTS. Receive the TRUTH! Jesus and HIS FINISHED WORKS are the TRUTH!

Sunday Re Cap (24th May 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom VI

Matt 6:33

Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL things be added unto you.

It is through a revelation of Jesus Righteousness that we unlock the blessings of the Kingdom. To unlock something, we need the keys. What are the keys and what do they unlock?

What does it unlock? What is added?

1. Right believing produces right living and right behaviour Heb 8:10-12.
   
2. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. Rom 1:16. Soteria: It also means deliver, health(Strong); deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation (Thayer). WHOLENESS!
   
3. Matt 16:19 The key to powerful prayers.
   

So what are the keys? There are 4 keys:

1. The key is intimacy with God.
   
   1. This is accomplished through Worship, Holy Communion.
      
   2. Phil 3:6-9: Intimacy with God produces TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS as opposed to RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE LAW (SUPPOSED RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN THE SIGHT OF MAN-basically the religions of the world).
      
      1. Why wasn't Paul satisfied with Righteousness by the law? It did not produce intimacy. Legalism made him look good in the eyes of the world and the eyes of man but it made him a wretch on the inside.
         
      2. God was supposedly hard and difficult to please. Nothing you do is quite enough. Even with all his achievements!
         
      3. There was a deep longing in his heart to draw closer. How? Righteousness by faith which is right standing with God through the perfect and complete work of Jesus on the CROSS! Jesus became HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
         

Continued next week….

© Pastor Samuel Hari (GROW BM)

Sunday Re Cap (17th May 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom V

Matt 6:33

Jesus said seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL things be added unto you.

OLD COVENANT VS NEW COVENANT

We need to be absolutely righteous to have ALL things added to us.

In the Old Covenant God left the people to seek their own righteousness through the LAW. "THOU SHALL, THOU SHALL NOT, THOU SHALL, AND THOU SHALL NOT!" I.e. performance, strife, hard work, and basically ALL religions of the world practice this principle. DO GOOD GET GOOD, DO BAD GET BEAT! RIGHT BEHAVIOUR PRODUCES BLESSINGS. Rom 2:5-11

The CROSS changed everything.

In the New Covenant, God said seek His kingdom and HIS righteousness.

2 Cor 5:17-21 New Creation Realities, We are given the gift of righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Rom 5:17: Says that when we receive the gift of Righteousness and the abundance of God's unmerited grace we shall reign in life!

God invites us to intimacy, He says HE WILL, HE WILL, He WILL! Heb 8:10-12

Righteousness is no longer obtained right doing but right standing. When we stand in the right place "HE will" do it!

It is through a revelation of Jesus Righteousness that we unlock the blessings of the Kingdom. To unlock something, we need the keys. What are the keys and what do they unlock?

What does it produce?

1. Right believing produces right living and right behaviour Heb 8:10-12
   
2. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. Rom 1:16-What is salvation? It is more than saving us from our sins.
   
   1. Soteria: It also means deliver, health(Strong); deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation (Thayer). WHOLENESS!
      
   2. For everyone who believes! The condition is simply, believe! Do you believe that the gospel is salvation to everyone who believes? "I believe, therefore I have health, salvation, healing, protection, safety!
      
3. Matt 16:19 The key to powerful prayers.
   

So what are the keys? There are 3 keys:

1. The key is intimacy with God. This is accomplished through worship, Holy Communion.
   

Continued next week….

© Pastor Samuel Hari (GROW BM)

Sunday Re Cap (26th Apr 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 2)

Text: Matt 6:19-34

1. We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
   
   1. Seek God's Kingdom.
      
   2. Seek His Righteousness.
      
   3. The Result? all these things shall be added to you.
      

Need to emphasize that all revelation has to line up with the word of God. God will not tell us to commit adultery, murder, cheat, lie, crime, etc. Our church stand is we are opposed to sin but we love the sinner because Jesus died and rose again for the sinner to free us from our sins. We are vehemently opposed to sin.

Most of us have a pretty good idea of what the Kingdom of God is all about. So why aren't we seeing all things being added to us?

1. No revelation of RIGHTEOUSNESS! Without a revelation of righteousness, we cannot appropriate the benefits of the Kingdom.
   
2. Righteousness unlocks the KINGDOM within us!
   

• When Paul said that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, he meant that just as Jesus is righteous before the Father, so are we. (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 4:17).
  
• 2 Cor 5:21 also says that God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. This means that even though Jesus did not commit any sin, He was punished as if He had committed sinful acts. God is completely just and fair and because of Jesus punishment for sins that he did not commit, we are deemed righteous for righteous acts as if we have done them!
  
• Does this mean that we will go out and sin and just say, "we are the righteousness of God in Christ"?
  
  • Heb 8:10: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
    
  • I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
    
  • (11) "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
    
  • (12) "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
    

These are the 4 clauses of the New Covenant. When we get a revelation of v12, we allow God to perform the first 3 clauses. We allow God to write His laws on our hearts, God will be our God and we His people and finally, we will know God intimately! How can we sin?

Continued next week….

Sunday Re Cap (19th April 2009)

Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 1)

Introduction

Read Matt 6:19-34

Are we citizens of the Kingdom of God? Citizens have benefits. What are the benefits of that Kingdom? Why aren't we living and receiving those benefits? How do we live under a constant flow of those benefits instead of receiving it here and there and in pockets?

1. We are lovingly instructed by our LORD to seek 2 things to help keep us in perspective.
   
   1. Seek God's Kingdom.
      
   2. Seek His Righteousness.
      
2. This ensures that we will remain in the continuous flow of all the benefits of the Kingdom.
   
3. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God the day we receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
   
   1. We are told to seek first the KOG. What is the Kingdom of God? It is where God is King.
      
   2. When we follow the "laws" of the Kingdom, we receive the benefits. Rom 8:1-2.
      
   3. What are benefits of being citizens of the Kingdom? Ps 23. Ps 103.
      
   4. The Kingdom of God is GOD!
      
   5. How do we get information and revelation of the Kingdom? Reading the word, prayer, church attendance, listening to Christian music, testimonies, messages, fellowship with Christian believers, etc.
      
4. So if we are only going to seek the KOG, how are we going make a living? We can earn by either serving God or mammon. Serving mammon is having the love of money. (1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 3 :1-3).
   
   1. When we have the love of money, we have many other "things" following us; sicknesses, depression, disease, FEAR.
      
   2. When we seek FIRST the kingdom of God, we have "kingdom" benefits following us; love, joy, health, provision, protection, etc.
      
   3. A third category of people. Those who have been blessed by seeking God BUT now have NO time for God. Ask God for wisdom. Not everything may be of God. Don't forget God. Prov 30:7. When it takes your time with God that means there are things we need to let go off. Ex: cannot come to church (to "seek first").
      

Continued next week….

Sunday Recap 12 April 2009

The Three Aspects of Resurrection
By Rev. Jeff Padgett

Luke 24:44-49
Parallel to the book of Deuteronomy (the 2nd Teaching), where Moses reminds the Israelites not to forget who God is and what He has done for them. He reminds them that the LORD has delivered; protected, provided and always loves them. Likewise Resurrection is total recall; to reminisce or to remember with complete detail of what the Lord has done for us. We need a daily resurrection to humble ourselves and appreciate the LORD.

Luke24:44 – Jesus fulfilled all that was written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms.
Luke 24:47-48 “…and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.”
- Jesus reminds the disciples what they have to do from the time of His Resurrection till His return.
Paul reminds the Corinthians to stay fresh in the resurrection of Christ or the Passover Lamb sacrificed with full humility.

1. The Resurrection Factor
The tomb is empty – Jesus has restored eternal life. He restored everything to His Father’s original intent.

Psalms 16:10 He gives form to the formless. He has given us form. Jonah in the fish belly, symbolic like being in the grave was set free. Lazarus wrapped in linen (the blindness of Satan) was removed and set free.

Rapid growth of the Church because Jesus rose from the death – Peter stood up to preach and got 3000 souls saved.


2. The Resurrection Fashion
We are called to put on the Resurrection fashion – Humility.
Humus means earth or stay low, close to the earth. Reminds us where we came from.
Jesus clothed in humility by wrapping a towel around His waist and served to wash his disciples’ feet.

Isaiah 61- Put on the Garment of Praise.

We are clothed in power; we have influence because of the resurrection power that dwells within us.


3. The Resurrection Faith
As we embrace the Resurrection, we have Resurrection Faith. He opens our minds to understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:4-5)

Peter who denied the Lord three times, stands up and preaches with full of courage.

Paul transformed from a persecutor to the one proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Rom 16 – Paul greets by name each one whom he would have killed and persecuted but now he loves everyone.

The power of resurrection cannot be contained so “LOOK ALIVE” and share the Good News and impact others!

Sunday Re Cap (22nd March 2009)

Unveiling Jesus through the Scriptures

We began to touch on the subject that every time we see the unveiling of Christ in the WORD of God, faith comes, power comes.

Luk 24:13-35

Let's see what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus when they heard the exposition of Jesus:

1. They SAW Jesus! Importance of Holy Communion again. The purpose is to see His grace rather than ourselves and our failures. When we see Jesus, we see His grace. His undeserved, unearned and unmerited favour. We have great faith and receive His blessings like healing upon our lives.
   
2. Their hearts began to burn. It was cold, sad, depressed, discouraged. Ever been in that place of hopelessness? Religion and works cannot help us out of this. Only a revelation of Jesus just like what happened to these disciples.
   
3. Their physical bodies were rejuvenated. They had walked seven miles, the day was almost over; this coupled with discouragement, confusion. However after they heard the word which revealed Jesus to them, they were rejuvenated.
   
4. We receive healing for our bodies. Emmaus-warm baths. There were hot springs beside these roads where people came to be rejuvenated and receiving healing no unlike what we see today.
   

Do we see these benefits of seeing Jesus? We can have these benefits. How? By seeing Jesus in every scripture.

• When we see that we are righteous on account of what Jesus has done and not because of "working" at it.
  
• When we see that He was wounded for our transgressions that we do need to be wounded anymore, we are able to believe for and receive healing!
  
• When we see that He became poor that we might become rich
  
• When we witness, we are not there to point out one another faults or demean other gods and religion but are there to unveil Christ!
  

How can Bible Study ever be boring again? It is the revelation of Jesus. When we read and confess the word, it is taking captive every thought to the obedience of CHRIST (2 Cor 10:5)! Not ourselves, not psychology. When are feeling sick, discouraged, we look at what Jesus has done! The finished works of the cross and begin to receive healing and restoration. We begin to live in dominion. Hallelujah!

Sunday Re Cap (15th March 09)

Conquering Our Thought Life
Ps. Abel Phillips



Eph 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.”

- The devil’s method is makes a roadway into our minds, into our heads there releases explosives power into our lives. Your thought life is the road that Satan uses to get access into every area of your life.
- The devil (‘Diabalos’-Greek) throws accusations /lies at us. Devil keeps throwing at you until he penetrates or YOU resist those thoughts! And TAKE THEM CAPTIVE!
-This is how the devil operates and that is why the Bible says, “Don’t be conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Rom 12:2).

-The truth makes us free; but lies destroy us!
That’s why we have to deal with the lies of the devil. The liar has been defeated, but the lies remain.

When your thinking lines up with God’s thinking –Word of God; then Satan says oh dear, I can’t get in. He can’t penetrate: because, you have the breastplate of righteousness on, you have the sword of the spirit; you have the shield of the faith…..and he can’t have any activity in your life when you have closed the access point through your thoughts. (Eph 6)

3 John 2- Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

2 Cor 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

- Bring every thought captive with the right image. Good life is made up of series of good decision and bad life is made up of series of bad decisions in your life. We got to learn how to make the series of good decisions. – take every thoughts captive – one by one captive –so fast from wrong thinking; creating a new image of ourselves. Creating strongholds that will influence our decisions.
Make decisions that lines up with God’s word and it will produce God’s results.

You conquer every thought by speaking the Word of God. Your mind is the road that Satan uses to get access to enter your life; so we need put the road block.

I have POWER in my life right now. Through the Holy Spirit in me, I have the power to overcome sin; the power to change my life for the better, the power to be healed; the power to forgive; the power to praise God no matter what; the power to speak God’s Word and see His promises show up in my life. I choose to remember what God has already done which takes the limits off of my life and my expectations. I expect favor today, wisdom, understanding, and God’s blessing as I abide in Christ and in His Word! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Sunday Re Cap (25th Feb 09)

Sons Reign Everyday!

God's desire is for every single son in to reign in life.

The power to reign doesn't depend on your family background, experience, educational qualifications. The power to reign is based on Jesus and Jesus alone.

Rom 5:17 ¹⁷ For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Reign-basileou (Greek): Reign in life as a King, to have kingly rule and to possess a kingly dominion.

The secret to reigning in life lies with receiving everything that Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross.

A life of defeat, condemnation, sickness, financial lack, broken relationships is not intended for us. Based on the authority of God's word, we are designed to reign in every aspect of life!

Receiving versus Achieving

Our reigning in life is based on receiving and not achieving. Achieving involves performance and performance is tiring and wearying.

Stop trying to do, do, do and receive the gift of righteousness and abundance of grace to reign in life! Focus on His finished work and be at rest in every area of our lives.

Heb 10:12-14 ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

The Bible says we have been perfected forever. Many still don't believe that and still think that they still need to do something to reign as sons. How can we be assured that we have been forgiven all our past present and future sins FOREVER?

Notice that after Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice and payment for all our sins, He "sat down"!

Heb 10:11 ¹¹ And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

The work of the priest is never finished and that is why they can never sit. No article of furniture for them to sit in the tabernacle.

Only Jesus work is finished. Not only did He sit down at the right hand of the Father but we are also seated with HIM!

Eph 2:4-6 ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Stop depending on your self-efforts to earn and qualify for God's blessings in your life. God's grace does not make us lazy. On the contrary we labour more abundantly for the glory of God.

In the New Covenant, God's way is to bless you FIRST, and the knowledge of His blessing gives you the POWER to labour more abundantly! In other words, we do not labour to be blessed but we have the power to labor BECAUSE we HAVE BEEN BLESSED!

1 Cor 15:10 ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Jesus has accomplished a full and completed work on the cross. Our part is simply to trust in His perfect work and RECEIVE with open arms the GIFT of righteousness and the ABUNDANCE of grace and begin to REIGN IN LIFE!

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to begin to teach us how to depend on God's grace rather than our self efforts. This is the key to wholeness, success and victorious living WHICH OUR FATHER INTENDS FOR EVERY SON!

Ps Samuel Hari

Sunday Re Cap (15th Feb 2009)

Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

"The Starbucks Experience", an amazing book written by Joseph Michelli, full of strategies, comments and principles taken from the Bible. If these principles have caused a secular company to be one of the most successful companies in the world, how much more THE CHURCH if it begins to rediscover these principles and begins to apply them TODAY!

5 Principles for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary. (1 Cor 15:46)

The Biblical principles found in this book include BEING rather than DOING. Starbucks wants to BE the place where everyone wants to come because of the coffee.

1. Make it your own.
   
   1. God has no grandchildren.
      
   2. Each of us needs to be responsible to develop our personal relationship with the LORD.
      
2. Everything Matters.
   
   1. Everything we do affects our Christian walk and often the people around us.
      
   2. How we act or RE-act. (2 Pet 3:9)
      
   3. We are all important to God.
      
3. Cause Surprise and Delight.
   
   1. Mat 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
      
   2. Phil 4:5 Rejoice, let your gentleness be known to all men.
      
4. Embrace Resistance.
   
   1. Most people resist resistance, they don't embrace it.
      
   2. Don't be threatened by resistance, embrace it.
      
   3. Work at fulfilling God's plan for your life (Jer 29:11)
      
   4. Write on your walls, "It doesn't matter!" (Rom 12:18,21)
      
5. Leave Your Mark.
   
   1. Desire to leave a mark for the LORD (Phil 3:13-14)
      

So, it's not about the coffee but all about the LORD and how we can all serve Him profitably!

William Carey-"Expect Great Things FROM God, Attempt Great Things FOR God"

Remember Acts 17:6-our goal is to turn the world upside down.

Rev. Don Boots

Grace Revealed-George Thomas

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
 
 'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.  
  

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' 'But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'  
  

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'  
  

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'  
  

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'  
  

'How much?' the pastor asked again.  
  

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'  
  

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.  
  

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.  
 

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.  
 

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'
 

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.  
 

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'
 

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly. 'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked  
 

'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'  
 

'How much?' He asked again.  

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'  
 

Jesus said, 'DONE!'  
 

Then He paid the price.  
 

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

Sunday Re Cap (25th Jan 2009)

The Spirit Of Adoption Sets Us Free From FEAR! Part II (cont from 31st Dec)

Don't stay OUT, Go IN!

Why is the Holy Spirit emphasizing so much on sonship?

• Because FAVOR is for SONS! This is the year of GREAT Favor and only as SONS can we enter into GREAT FAVOR.
• There is one level of authority for the believer BUT another level for the SONS.
  

What are some of the things in our lives that prevent us from fully entering into sonship? We see some of it here in the older brother in the story of the prodigal son.

Luke 15:28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

The older son was angry-emotions that prevented him from entering into sonship. Anger is a very strong emotion.

1. A few things we need to know about ANGER:
a) No one can make us angry, we allow ourselves to do it.
b) “ANGER IS A DISTRACTION.
c) An incorrect perception of the Father and an incorrect perception about ourselves.

d) It is a spirit of intimidation borne out of slave mentality.

2. How do we overcome?
a) NOT BY ANGER MANAGEMENT!
b) Not by trying to deal with it. It only the symptoms of something deeper.
c) Not even trying to help ourselves or others by “good advice”.

3. See the heart of the Father. He comes out and pleads with us!
a) It is about the Father's love for us.
b) Our Father's desire is that we will go in. How? Through the great finished work and sacrifice of His SON!
c) It is not our job to plead. The Father pleads through the Holy Spirit.
d) It was the son's OWN perception that prevented him from entering in.. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Father is PLEADING!
e) Notice he does not even tell him to repent and get his heart right first! Notice how he “tore up” the prodigal son's confession!

4. Anger came about because of the spirit of slavery, religion, works! “these many years I have served you (douleuō: slave)”
a) Trying to impress the Father with our own efforts.
b) Trying to gain a blessing, favor through our own works (make merry, a young goat).

5. RELIGION IS OUTSIDE! GRACE (unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor) IS INSIDE! Don't stay OUT, Go IN!

6. The spirit of bondage to fear is SLAVE Mentality. The Spirit off Adoption is Son Mentality. It's so important that we adopt the son mentality as we go into the NEW YEAR!

7. (The Father says) “all that I have is yours”: We have received righteousness, holiness, healing, fruitfulness, forgiveness when Jesus became the perfect sacrifice and died on the cross for us.(Rom 8: 16-17)

SLAVES STAY OUT AND GO ON MURMURING, COMPLAINING AND GRUMBLING. SONS WILL ENTER IN WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE!

Psa 100:4-5 Enter INTO his gates with thanksgiving, and INTO his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Sunday Re Cap (18th Jan 2009)

WE ARE SONS!

Rom 8:12-17

Here is one of the most famous and beloved accounts of Paul to the Romans. He explains to them the importance of living in the Spirit as opposed to living by the flesh with reference to the new life that is available to us as Christians as a result of being believers of Christ. However around the beginning of the 2nd third of the chapter, Paul suddenly introduces a new word or concept as we may call it that brings in an entirely new dimension for the readers. That word is “Sonship”.

In verse 12, Paul is speaking about living by the flesh and living by the Spirit which is referring to living by the law (the commandments) which accuses our flesh day and night and condemns us; and living by the Spirit of life in Christ which sets us free from ALL condemnation.

In V14, Paul starts this whole new chapter in the believer's life. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God these are the sons of God.

• We are called to not just to live a new covenant life and receive the promises of Abraham by faith (Gal 3:13-14) but we are called to be sons!
• To be spirit led is not just being believers, it is to be sons!
• But we say, “we still have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We can either continue to look at this scripture as slaves and WORK or we can really look at this scripture as sons and WORK OUT...
  

Php 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Paul is saying work it OUT! Not work it IN. From the truth that we know from the inside out and not the other way around. God is at work IN us both to will and do His own good pleasure; not ours. A spirit led live leads to us to an true understanding of who we really are as sons.
For as as many are led by the Spirit of God; this gives us a description of those who are increasingly being led. We start as sons. Who teaches us and patterns us increasingly as sons? The Holy Spirit. Be patient when we fall and don't behave like sons. We are not there yet but are a work in progress. Be patient with ourselves and one another.

It does not mean that if we fail or fall, we are not sons. Just because we fall down and injure ourselves, does not mean our DNA has changed! We are still sons.

Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father."

There is a key that is found in this verse and it's so simple that we may find it hard to believe; but not so hard for sons! How? We cry ABBA Father. ABBA is THE MOST intimate term we can use to call God. When we fall, we call ABBA, When we are sick, ABBA, financial distress, ABBA; under accusation ABBA; when we feel hopeless and like failures, ABBA, when we cannot understand, ABBA.

We are privileged to call HIM, ABBA FATHER, because we are Sons!

Ps Samuel Hari