Preacher or Shepherd?

¹⁵ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

¹⁶ He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

¹⁷ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17 KJV)

It was one of the encounters of Disciple with Resurrected Christ that the Gospel of John has mentioned. Though the majority of even the Disciples of Jesus were waiting Christ to restore the Kingdom of Israel it was plan of the God of Israel to hold on the Kingdom until the fulfillment of gentiles. When the chosen people denied to receive their Messiah, It was God who brought the believers in the Salvation through their faith in Jesus despite of their race, color and country of origin. And the worldwide body of the saved ones, whom God has chosen before the foundation of the world is Called Church of Jesus.

Many Christians are in misunderstanding today that there is no Salvation in any Religions except Christianity. But the Biblical Truth is there is no salvation in any Religion, nor even in Christian Religion. Salvation is of the God and it has only in Christ Jesus, it doesn't matter which Church some one goes and how long he has attending the Church, until and unless some one comes into repentance of his/her sin and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he/she can't be saved just being part of the Congregation which is in broad way called Church today.

Here we have to understanding the fact that Christ didn't come into this world to establish the Local Congregation or Local Church, the plan of God is to united an Universal and Unseen body of Saved ones. Which can in both rich and poor nations, in strict or free nation, in Urban or rural whom God has chosen and whom God knows personally as their Father. The very simple Christian principle is this called out body gathers together in a locality to thank God for his goodness and greatness, and encourage and support each other, to pray and share to each other. Because of differences of Culture, traditions and language these groups can be some times separated on the language that the people spoke or culture they follow. Still the common in world-wide brotherhood of Christians is they worship and exalt Same God in Christ Jesus our Saviour in their own language, culture and way.

God loves his elected ones, because Christ has paid their ransom of sin through his death on the cross. It was a single individual like you and me for whom Christ died, and a single soul is so much precious on the sight of Lord. Even when Christ was resurrected, the question he asked to Peter was " Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" . It was not a doubt of Jesus that led Him to ask Peter either he loves Jesus or not, but it was a responsibility Jesus was going to give to His disciple till His second coming, "Feed my lambs". Three times Jesus asked same question and the command three times was to feed the lambs if on the condition of they love Jesus.

The love of Disciples of Jesus was shown on the action that they perform if they love Jesus. It was not the salary they get in order to do it, but it was the act toward the love to Jesus who died for His Church. The very simple fact of being follower of Jesus is to take care of His flock, and Jesus has called his followers to feed His lambs and to be Shepherds not just the preacher of the word on Sunday morning from the Pulpit. A preacher preaches the moral lessons and finishes his duty, but a Shepherd gives his life for the betterment of lambs. He would be with the lambs on the time of difficulties and cares for lambs in every situation, not just preaches and leave. Jesus Himself explained how much does a shepherd do for a lost sheep on His parable of the lost sheep. Because a shepherd knows the value of a sheep for whom Christ has given His own life.

Unfortunately, many times knowingly or unknowingly we forget the truth that beside the ministries in pulpit there are a lot more responsibility of a Minister which is not just for salary but his love toward Christ compels him to do for the believers. It is not the job some local congregation has given him, but it is a call that Christ Himself has entrusted him. A Pastor (Shepherd) is life long Spiritual leader of the believers, a mentor, a comforter and a friend of life. The relationship of a Pastor and a believers is life long bondage of Love that is joined with Jesus, which starts with dedicating a child in God and ends only on giving mud on the grave.

We should understand the Biblical authority that a minister is not called just to preach half an hour sermon each week, but to dedicate his life in the service of Jesus in the lives of believers. As a shepherd gives his life for lambs he/she should be toward the believers who are honoring him/her with the tithes and offerings that they are giving to the authority of God the Creator.

Always an Empty Church

As a Nepali Christian, I have seen Christianity in Nepal in the midst of Persecution and on the freedom, believers in physical torture and in the light of Citizen right. One thing I have realized that Church of God is always marching on towards the Victory, toward the Multiplication and toward the growth. Just handful Churches were there in East Nepal when I came to know Jesus, just limited number of believers who used to walk miles in order to join the worship service every Saturday. The political situation changed, countless Churches came into existence, the key Cities of East Nepal like Dharan, Itahari, Damak, Biratnagar got more Churches on itself, then there were once in entire Eastern Nepal, still one fact remained same, the Churches are always full. It doesnt matter either they have their own building or rented room, the believers are full on the Church during their Saturday Worship.

I visited four different Churches in including today for worship on different Sundays here in Madisonville, KY. I wanted to find a Multicultural Baptist Church and make my home Church here in United States, but one thing I realized in this town, is Churches are more like Ethnic Club rather then the Community of Jesus Christ. There is the Church of Whites, there is the Church of Blacks there is the Church of Hispanic, every one has their own Church, but where there are Churches in every Corner of the streets, I couldn't even find a single Church for the people of God. I realized there is still a need of a Church in the City, where there wont be any black nor white nor Hispanic or Asians, where there would be only people of God, the chosen ones of Christ Jesus.

The saddest fact of American Churches I have always faced is emptiness, because most of their members are sleeping on the graveyard. When one Generation slept on the Lord, they couldn't attract the another Generation inside the Church, because of that many of the Building became empty Historical Landmarks. There are huge building with nice decoration, very few who are inside it to worship the Lord. The real beauty of the Church of Living God is not how large and Historical the building is, but how much sinners have repentant on it. But the truth I have seen is the Church today gradually turning as a club to keep on membership and secure the tithes and offerings rather then reveal the sin of the people and lead them to salvation through Jesus Christ.

When I observed my own experiences in past for weeks, I have found that the Shepherds of the flocks are more responsible to make the body of Christ so weak. I visited four Churches in Past four Sundays, but none of the Pastors ever contacted me when I came out the the Church. In fact, none of them tried to be in touch with me in any way during the week, and assist me in my spiritual life or address my spiritual needs, the very simple understanding I got about the Shepherds of the flock of the God is they have no more responsibility beyond the pulpits.

What ever the reason might be, as a Convert of complete non-Christian family, as a believer of world's fastest Growing Churches, it was really bad impression for me. Bad impression of empty Churches, bad Impression of on the pulpit shepherdhoodness but always positive aspect that even in the midst of Apostasy, Lord will send his Mercy upon His people. The time will come, Lord will fill out the workers of Harvest with the fire of Revival and Empty Churches with full of saved souls in Jesus.

Mission and Migration

Written by Janak BC

The great commission has to be understood in terms of the kingdom purpose. Patrick Johnston refers to it as Church+ Mission= Kingdom. The Church plays a vital role in bringing the gospel to the people. It is not possible to estimate the data of Nepali migrants; however, the flow of immigration is growing day by day due to the political and economic instability in Nepal. There is an increasing trend of immigration to the gulf countries and also some of the Asian countries where Nepalese have opportunities for jobs. In this article, I would like to draw some of the key obstacles, which hinders the work of the Christian mission in the present day context.

Last month I visited Kathmandu, to my surprise the Church and mission centre have fixed their destination. Why can't we relate our strategy with the needs of the contemporary? This is not to neglect the ultimate purpose of the Kingdom. Some of my friends asked me to come back to Nepal and work there. I do appreciate for the concerns of my people towards Nepal but what really made me puzzled is the exclusiveness thought of our leaders who tried to confine their territories within themselves. Churches of Nepal have drifted from their mission roots. The zeal and passion to share the gospel has been changed into mission agencies' round table conferences.

Migration has become the leading agenda both in secular as well as Christian field. Millions of people have been migrated across the nation borders in search of better life or to flee from the war or toward the religious freedom. I appreciate the contribution of Union Biblical Seminary which invested a lot in maintaining the Christian dignity as well as transforming people's lives from the grass root level. Let me bring some of the key elements that can help us in drafting our strategy in future.

1. Nepali church should concern for mission to the Nepalese in and around the world. Church always has wider aspects and always inclusive in nature. Christ didn't come to establish Christianity but humanity. A humanity where a true sense of living has been found. Christ is not the private property of Christians only. I would like to appreciate some of the churches in Nepal which have taken initiative to reach out the Nepalese who are in abroad. If Nepalese do not consider for their own people then who will consider? This has to become the challenge for the Nepalese leaders.

2. Serving LORD is not a JOB; it's an OPPORTUNITY: Whenever I visit Nepal, I keep hearing from some of the senior leaders saying, “Let us start one project for the poor people”; “I am waiting for vacancy from so and so Christian organization”; “This Christian organization pays me this much of amount;” etc, which makes me so sad. The Nepalese Christianity has forgotten its momentum and has become so much secularized in thinking and action at the moment. The mission and zeal has been stuck in getting high position in the Christian organization. Why can't we send the missionaries outside? If Nehemiah and Ezra, being in exile could attain the favour from the Lord to restore the spiritual sanctity of Israel then the same Lord will surely give favour to those who cry for the salvation of the their near and dear ones. Let us start building!


3. A solid theology and authentic education is needed: Theology and mission are two inseparable parts of the Kingdom. However, our churches are lacking in one or the other. Mostly, “Just go and preach” pattern has been emphasized in Nepal during the couple of decades. Why wasting time in going to colleges and seminaries? Even I was questioned by my seniors when I stepped into seminary. This is one of the drawbacks of our country that we do not encourage our youngsters to go for higher theological studies. Do we have any Christian institution in Nepal, to train up our future generation other than mushroom Christian training centres which provides couple of degrees? Do we have research centre where Nepali students can spend time to do their dissertation work? Nepal is still dependent on neighbouring countries for theological study. It is not because we don't have manpower to start institution but we are contented with what we have. Moreover, we are lacking in developing our infrastructure. Our world view doesn't want to accept that we need solid theological and missiological scholars. "We don't need qualification to do God's work." This is the mode of preaching in Nepal. The Church needs to be aware of their strategy for the better tomorrow.

The whole perspective is to strengthen our focus for the glory of God. No matter what denominations or groups do we belong, we have to have a common agenda which is to reach out the unreached friends, who have been scattered all over the world. For that purpose, we need to check ourselves first to find our missing marks which may be helpful to correct our ways for the salvation of our people.

(The writer is currently pursuing M.Div( Missiology) in Union Biblical Seminary Pune.)

One more Friend for Jesus

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ¶ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:35-46).

Many years back when I was in Seminary, one well known preacher was giving very simple illustration about the evangelism; it is just one beggar telling another beggar where he found his bread. It is really simple step to understand and simple as well to follow. As the New Testament Christian we all are evangelist of Christ and preacher of the good news of salvation. We should not forget the fact that even we were in the same stage with other non-Christians before we came to know Jesus.

I remember that life, I was just blind idol worshiper before I came to know Truth and Truth set me free. I was too like Millions Hindus today who are running after the stone idol of Ganesha (Elephant god of Hinduism) to feed milk with the spoon. It was not me, but God has chosen me before the formation of the world, and He called me out of darkness into his marvelous light. But what a selfish would I be if I forget the fact my life too was same like other Hindus today before getting Christ and because of that I need to tell them too about the salvation I have got full and free in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is exactly what the Andrew and Philip too did. Andrew and Philip came to know the truth and they found the Messiah whom the Jews were waiting for Centuries. When they met Him, talked to Him, they suddenly went back and brought their friend and relatives to Jesus, who were too in equal need of Jesus in their lives like Andrew and Philip.

The Bible says, Andrew went and brought Peter his brother to Jesus. Philip invited Nathaniel to come and see Messiah by himself. Many times we see the act of these lay man followers first works mentions in New Testament, but we couldn’t get how deep inspiration it has for us.

Bible says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts4:12). What a sad is it to see there is salvation only in the name of Jesus, and there are many people who are running after the power of darkness and Dharmas (Religions) of the world for finding salvation. There are not very huge requirement to be saved, just simple faith in the Son of God can save people from hell, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). But many times we the Christian think that people have their right to practice their religions. Especially in United States, we are running more after their religious right then sharing them the gospel and saving their souls. There are many in our friend’s circle, in our neighborhood, in our company and office who are in the need of Jesus, we shouldn’t forget that their lives is in our hand, but also we are keeping silent.

As a lay man Christian too we have great responsibility to save people. If we can’t preach in huge Crusades too, we can just share where we got joy unspeakable and full of glory to them. At least we can pray for their salvation. At least we can share them how did Jesus changed our life?

Dear Christian brothers and sisters, if we all the born again Christians just try to bring one more friend to Jesus, we can double the born again Christian population of United States in next some months. Are you willing to pray for one of your unsaved friend? Can you just share him/her how did you found salvation through Christ? May God bless us richly and help us to lead many unsaved friends into Christ.

Biblical Mathematics; the Mathematics of God

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ¶ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:35-46).

Beginning of the Ministries of Jesus

The ministries of Jesus publicly started alone with His Baptism in Jordan and God’s divine declaration of , “ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17). We should understand the facts about the Baptism and Baptism of Jesus. There are different view points regarding the Baptism of Jesus, many consider the Baptism of Jesus with the sin and confession. In fact, the natural water of Baptism can’t was away the spiritual sin, and Baptism has no thing to do with sin and salvation, this is to fulfill the righteousness of God as well to set an example for Christian life, He was Baptized into water.

Man can be saved through his faith in Jesus Christ and repentance of his sin. Baptism is not the repentance, but it is the ordinance of the Church. It is just outward expression of inward change. Not for being saved we take the Baptism, but because we are saved so that we get Baptism. We can see clear Biblical evidence for this volunteer effort of believers in the book of Acts of the Apostle, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:37)

The Baptism of Jesus was not for His confession of the sin, but He took first step of His ministries in this world with setting forth an example for us. He gave us a spiritual ordinance that the saved ones of the Church need to follow in order to identify ourselves with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Early Followers of Jesus

When some one comes out with a Mission, his/her success depends on the followers he will get. When Jesus started His earthly ministries, He was alone first but soon after two persons joined with Him and they came to be three together. When the two who had joined with him brought one person each, then the number reached five. But after that, the number was always in multitude and on the number of thousands.

Establishment of First Church Congregation

On the day of Pentecost, 120 were praying together before the Holy Ghost came upon them. Suddenly the Upper Room Congregation came into the power of Holy Ghost and started to witness, on the same day, through the mass evangelistic crusade of Peter, three thousands added into the Church of Almighty and then five thousands and after that the number reached uncountable.

The Mathematics of God

On the Mathematics of God, there is no minus and plus but only multiply. Because Church of God is called to multiply not just get some more souls to be added or to loose the membership. This is the saddest fact that the Church Denominations today are unable to understand because of that they are leaving out the word of God and compromising the worldly things just to save the membership.

We should be sure that Christ is the author and finisher of our race, and if God is with us no one can destroy us with any cost. Church of God is called to multiply and it will keep on multiplying till Christ came to rapture His bride. If we stand in the word of God and practice the word of God in our Church and personal life, we will be multiplied always, Churches won’t be turned empty and Church campuses into old graveyard only, but It will be in fire.

Heavenly Call to Multiply

Down through the centuries, God of ages is dealing the humanity through various channels. The plan of God’s salvation to the people starts alone with His divine call of Abram, a pagan man in order to be the blessing to the nations. God called Abram with three conditions, and promise of three blessing in his life. The Bible records, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen.12:1-3).

As the descendants of Abraham, the father of faith, it was the responsibilities of Jews to be blessing to the nations. In other world, God wanted Israelites to be the channel of God’s salvation to the Humanity, but because of their failure, He raised a complete diverse group of believers in Christ, the people of every nations and cultures as a single Church which is body of Christ.

We shouldn’t forget the fact that because of disobedience of Israel and their unbelief we have got this privilege to be sons of God just through our faith (John 1:12). If you read your Bible carefully, specially the gospel, you don’t find Jesus came into this world in order to gather the saved ones and to establish His Church. Because of this confusion, even after the resurrection disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”(Acts1:6)

The primary mission of Christ in this world was to restore back the Kingdom of God through Israel, because of that when John the Baptist started his prophetic ministries as forerunner of Christ, started to proclaim, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt.3:2). But because of the disobedience of Israel, and their unbelief, Christ declared, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” Matt16:18-19). Paul illustrates the disobedience of Israel and our privilege to be partaker of the blessing of God in Romans, “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in” (Rom.11:17-19).

Here we need to understand that the cause of failure of Israel is not because of God but because of their own disobedience. God’s promise of blessing for Israel was not unconditional, but there was certain conditions which Israel failed to fulfilled. Because of that when Jesus was on His mission to restore back the Kingdom, because of the unfaithful and unwillingness of Israel, He changed His mind to Establish the Church.

But there are still some primary responsibilities that Church need to fulfill. Jesus gave his final commandment to the disciples, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt.28:19-20).

Two primary duties of the Church:

Reach Out

The first primary duty of the people is to reach out the people as Jesus said, “Go ye therefore”. We shouldn’t forget the fact that first duty of the Church is to reach out the people as they are and where they are. Or in clear world, the first duty of the Church is evangelizing the unreached, reaching out people with the gospel message, telling people that there is salvation full and free in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“…………..For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Tim 2:3-4). As a Christian, we shouldn’t forget the attribute of our God that He has no partiality. He loves every one and His heart is to see everyone coming into the knowledge of Christ and being saved through their own faith. But it is the problem with people that rather then light of the gospel they are happy into the darkness.

Yet, as a Church, we should reach out the people where they are and as they are. Today the problem with Christianity is, we want people to come as we are, but we are not willing to reach out them as they are. Paul gives us very clear definition of Christian evangelism, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (I Cor. 9:19-22).


Teach

The second responsibility of the Church is to teach the people who have been reached and brought into the family of God. In order to fulfill this function of the Church, Lord has given five fold ministries of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher (read also Eph. 4:11-12).

The first responsibility of the Church was to bring the souls out of the bondage of Satan, but that is not the final destination, but even after that, the Church need to bring them into the fullness of Christ. Teaching is the process to develop the Christ likeness in the lives of individuals who came to salvation through the function of reaching out.


Where have we failed?

The Church of God today need to realize that we have failed in these two important primary function of the Church. There are some congregations who are very active in reaching out the people, but unfortunately they are unable to teach and develop the Christ likeness in the lives of Individuals. Because of that, though they are reaching out the souls they are not effective enough and multiplying.

But the problem of majority of the congregations today are they are good in teaching and they are focusing on teaching and teaching alone but don’t try to reach out. Because of that, rather the active body of Christ, they are turning just an Intellectual Study group who gather together to study and discuss on the topic they like to discuss with. Whether we realize or not, but this is the cause that many of our local congregations are turning as the study group of retired generations because we can find there just handful people, most of them are of the sixty plus generation.

This is the saddest fact that our congregations are not only failed to fulfill the duty of reaching out souls for Christ, but they are also closed to the people who come to search us. If we walk through the empires of Churches in our neighborhoods, there are properties of billions dollars which are closed for the public because they are afraid to secure their investments of billions. As a result, the empires that is build in Billions are turning gradually as graveyards, some people are still alive there physically but the empires itself is turned into the ruins.


The heavenly call to Church:

The Church of God is called to multiply not to be empty. The Mission that one Man Jesus started officially inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost with almost one hundred and twenty, suddenly multiplied into three thousands, five thousands and uncountable. The Church of God which was just in Jerusalem soon spread in Antioch, Damascus, entire Asia Minor, Europe and entire world. The Kingdom of God which was started without single dollar investment, is marching toward the victory even today. But at the same part, the empires of multiple buildings we are constructing are gradually turning toward the graveyard.

This is the time, the time of Grace of God that is on us and upon us. This is the time for us to think where we have failed and to recover, so that we can move toward the Victory as the co-worker of Christ for the Promotion of the Kingdom of God. We shouldn’t forget the fact that Christ has established His Church upon the Rock, Rock of the Ages, Rock of the Truth and gates of Hell can’t overcome it. The Church of God is call to multiply, established to multiply and it will keep on multiply. May God bless us from Heaven Above in our faithfulness and strengthen us to multiply.

You shall see greater things then these.

“…………….thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1: 51)

Nathaniel came to conclusion that the man who knows the heart of a man is really Messiah. It was not so easy for a Jew to accept the fact though he first doubted about good things coming out of Nazareth, but suddenly when he came into the personal conversation with Jesus, he reached in a conclusion that He is King of Israel, He is the son of Living God.

Personal fellowship with God is very important in Christian life. Through your personal fellowship you will come to deep relationship with Jesus and as deep as your relationship goes, you will come to realize who Jesus is. Fellowship shares the heart of one to another. As strong fellowship we do with Jesus, we will know more the heart of God.

This is exactly what happened to Nathaniel too. First he had little doubt because he heard that Jesus was from Nazareth. He had doubt how can Messiah come out of Nazareth. But as he started personal fellowship with Jesus suddenly all the doubts turned into the strong confidence and he confessed that Jesus is King of Israel and Son of God. In personal relationship and fellowship with Jesus, he came to realize the heart of Jesus and that led him to know who Jesus is.

Today, it is the sad fact that most of the Christians have very good knowledge about Jesus, but there is no personal relationship with him. Sadly, even many ministers of the word are without the experience of meeting Jesus face to face in their spiritual life. Because of that, the body of Christ today is turning as the Religious club rather then the fountain of Blessing to the nations of the world.

Nathaniel came through the personal fellowship with Jesus, and through his personal relationship with Jesus, he came to who Jesus is. All his doubts came to an end and new faith raised up in Christ and his deity through his personal relationship with Jesus.

Because of the personal relationship with Jesus, the new prophetic world came into the life of Nathaniel through Jesus. He prophesied for Nathaniel and much more greater things that God was going to reveal him in the days to come. Jesus prophesied for him, I say unto you, “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man”.

Because of our personal relationship with Jesus, the prophetical words come for us. The prophecy of greater things that God is going to show, the greater blessing God is going to give and greater revival God is going to send.

Today if we committed ourselves to God, it is the prophetic word of God even today for us, God is going to show us greater things. If you believe today in His words, the Lord is going to show you greater promises, the promise of blessing on the lives of believers, the promise of revival in the lives of Church. Visionary leaders will come out of body of Christ, men and women will rise up with the gospel, the nations of the world will be evangelized. Sinners shall be saved, nations shall be turned to Christ and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Lord.

Let us stand together today for Jesus. Let us hold the promises of God for us. Let us have complete faith and faith alone in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us keep aside all our theologies, doctrines and traditions. Let us rely completely upon the Word of God, His promises and His Prophecies. The fire of revival will be spread out the world and nations shall be revived to receive Christ our Lord.

Let us hold our faith steadfastly in order to see the greater things in our lives and in the life of the Church of Almighty.

Under the Fig Tree

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:47-49).

I have met one young man (who is relative of far to me) who is very committed devotee to Sai Baba, a controversial Indian living god. He had been to Ashram of Sai Baba to meet him, when he went to Baba, he called him through his own name. It was really surprising for an ordinary Nepali who didn’t know about the modern technologies, to hear a god whom Millions worship in India calling him with his name though he had never met him before. There are thousands who are impressed with Sai Baba’s (and other controversial gods of India) knowledge about the people who goes to visit them, but don’t understand the fact that before they are reaching him, they have gone through many security check and many places of name entrees.

Jesus saw about Nathaniel before he approach to Jesus, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guild!” Nathaniel was really impressed because the Messiah, whom he is going to meet for the first time and yet many Israelites have not yet seen Him, knew him before he is reaching to Him. But, it was not like Jesus was doing some tricks with him like many so called gods of east does. Nathaniel was really a honest Jew in whom there was no guilt. He was very honest to the teaching of his forefathers, but indeed open to accept the truth of God too. Jesus knew his ability before he came to meet Jesus.

But Nathaniel couldn’t control himself and asked to Jesus, “Guru, how do you know me?” Bit surprise, bit doubt, but it was really interesting turning point of his life when he asked Rabbi, how do you know me though I have not seen you before.
Dear Christian brothers and sisters, God knows us before the creations of the world, He has created you and me, both men and women in His one image and His own likeness. He has counted even the hairs of your heads. He has pierced you in His palm of His hands. And he is really worried for our life. Our God is Loving God and He loves you and cares you.

But the answer that Jesus gave to Nathaniel was not just as God, but as son of man he said, even before Philip called you I had seen you under the fig tree. The answer was just as a human, but Jesus had already seen Nathaniel before he was taking his decision of life and death. Before he had taken the decision of tradition or salvation and even before I came to the conclusion of which way he will be taking. God met Nathaniel under the fig tree during the dilemma of choosing the way of life. He met him on the unsolved problem of his life. He met him on the confusion of choosing either this or that. But He met his exactly in right time and right place, on the turning point of his life.

Dear Brothers and Sister, It is our God who has called us from darkness of world to his marvelous light. From sin to salvation full and free through Jesus Christ His Son. He wants you to be the channel of blessing that God has given to you even to the lost Millions. God is trying to speak to you today.

He has seen you on the right time of your life, on exactly turning point of your life. You might be thinking today about this first generation of Christian convert from third world country, you might have thinking what can this poor Asian guy can teach to the Christians of world’s most powerful nation where there are thousands Christian scholars with high degree in Theology. You might be thinking that this Asian guy is right in some points. Our God has already seen you under the fig tree of your life, on the turning point of your life. God has already seen you under the fig tree of your life, while you were thinking this Asian man is wrong or right.

Dear brothers and sisters, make your path dedicated to Lord, open your heart to get the fresh revelation from God, open yourself for accepting the new Move of Holy Spirit in the lives of Church, our Lord is going to see you mighty revival in this end time.

Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

There are some facts which are difficult to accept if some one tells. You can imagine what your reaction will be to when some one is telling you early morning that sun is raising from the west this morning. This was not less surprise for Nathaniel that he heard the Messiah whom the Jews were waiting for centuries have came now, but the most discouraging thing was from Nazareth.

That’s why, Nathaniel immediately reacted that, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathaniel here didn’t deny completely that Messiah can’t come from Nazareth, but as a Jew he knew that Prophets have prophesied hundreds of years before that Messiah will born in the household of David in Bethlehem of Judah. Nathaniel was in a dilemma, to whom does he trust, the prophets or Philip who is boldly witnessing that he has found the Messiah whom they are waiting for centuries.

Simply delaying to accept the truth is not denial. Nathaniel here didn’t deny the fact, but he expressed some of his doubt, some of his surprise and said “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Here he is not saying good things can’t come through Nazareth, or it can come out of Nazareth too, but his doubt is can it really come from Nazareth. He indirectly came into half point of accepting, but his heart asks then why did our prophets prophesied that Messiah will come out of Bethlehem.

Today, we the Christians of modern day need to learn through the sincerity of Nathaniel. We need to understand the fact that Christian Theology is progressive revelation, and God reveals the truth as our intellectual capacity and knowledge is growing. Raising and fall of many Christian teaching and denominations is the reason of the God’s move down through the centuries. All the movement and Theology was good during the time they were started as movement of fire and cleaned the wickedness and promoted the Kingdom of God. But as days, months and years started to pass away, they gradually started to forget their initial zeal and latter it developed as the Church traditions. We the Christians need to understand that salvation is not belong to any particular denominations but Salvation belongs to God. And it is the plan of God to save entire humanity through the gospel of salvation that is preached by the Church of Living God. Our God is still yet work, and He is raising the men and women of God and movement of the people of God.

But many times we will be so much religious and honest Baptists, Brethren, Lutherans, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and many more, but we can’t be Christians. Being Christian is to deny self and accept Christ in as Lord and Savior, to be open to the revelation of God, to be open to the move of God and to be open to the Spirit of God. But most of the time we will be so closed to move of God in our life and be loyal to the doctrines and teachings of our Denominations, and make our hearts hard to accept the truth of God.

The plan of God is bigger then the plan of man, the ways of God are wider then ours. We shouldn’t stop the way of God’s grace and blessing in our life by searching it in our own ways. God deals people with our own capacity and knowledge, but move of God doesn’t depend in our knowledge. God is moving even today in the lives of Church, He is revealing new things to us, restoring the new gifts and functions in the Church of God. We may be honest followers of our Church’s traditions, but our traditions are not bigger then God. If God Himself is working through the revelations, we need to accept the progressive theology and correct ourselves through the word of God.

Philip: the man on Word and Fire

“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:43-45).

Bethesaida: House of fish.

1. A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in the "land of Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and was frequently resorted to by Jesus #Mr 6:45 Joh 1:44 12:21 It is supposed to have been at the modern 'Ain Tabighah, a bay to the north of Gennesaret.
2. A city near which Christ fed 5,000 #Lu 9:10 comp. #Joh 6:17 Mt 14:15-21 and where the blind man had his sight restored #Mr 8:22 on the east side of the lake, two miles up the Jordan. It stood within the region of Gaulonitis, and was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch, who called it "Julias," after the emperor's daughter. Or, as some have supposed, there may have been but one Bethsaida built on both sides of the lake, near where the Jordan enters it. Now the ruins et-Tel.


1) Philip The Apostle {#Mt 10:3 Joh 1:43 6:5 12:21 14:8}

One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" #Joh 1:44 He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him #Joh 1:43 and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus #Joh 1:45,46 He seems to have held a prominent place among the apostles #Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 #Joh 6:5-7 12:21,22 14:8,9 Ac 1:13 Of his later life nothing is certainly known. He is said to have preached in Phrygia, and to have met his death at Hierapolis.

1a) A Personal Worker {#Joh 1:45 12:21,22}

The interesting part of the life of Philip is his aggression to lead people into the Truth of Life which He has got to know by himself. When Jesus called Him, he didn’t follow himself but also led Nathanael to Christ.
Generally, people need to think before taking any serious decision of their lives. Even for us, when we get the word of Truth, many times we can’t fully make decision because our culture, practices, traditions, doctrines, religion and society comes in between the Truth and us. Many times the religions and traditions don’t cover only our spiritual eyes but make our hearts heart so that not only we can’t see, but even we can’t think of truth.
Philip, the man got the call of God through Christ while Jesus said him follow me. There was no question, nor doubt nor any hesitation but he simply followed Jesus. This action symbolizes the Christian’s reaction to the word and truth. The perfect model of Christian life is not the doubt or questioning God, but to trust and obey when we hear the call of God.
Philip, when got the divine call to follow Christ, completely dedicated himself to the call and without any questions he followed him. On the first step of his Christian life itself, he found the Nathanael and shared the good news to him that whom Moses and prophets have foretold and whom the Jews are waiting to come, Messiah has come. Philip didn’t wait till he will be a mature Christian, or he will get the perfect knowledge about the scriptures, but as soon as his own life was transformed in and through Christ, he started to witness the good news that he heard and accepted. Many people think that they need to be mature Christians for the ministries. In fact the greatest ministry is to lead a sinner to salvation and the greatest qualification of the minister is the man or women who have assurance of salvation. There is no greater qualification of Christian minister then to know that he was the wretch sinner and Christ is the Greatest Savior. Today the problem of Christianity is, many times people has good head knowledge of Scripture, but they have no assurance of this greatest salvation. Because of that, many people today are good scholars of the Bible, but not really good minister to lead people into way of salvation.
Where as, Philip first came to know divine call of God for life and came to the point of realization, that Jesus is the Anointed one whom they are waiting for. The very simple plan of God for salvation is just to have faith and because of his plain faith in Jesus he was first saved by himself. And, as a saved sinner, he started to lead others whom he found on his way.