Grace and peace to all on the Lords Day (31.8.14). Todays Worship Meeting Highlights *************************************** Part I: Lords Table: Isaiah 53:3-10. The Glory of His Sufferings ********************************************************************** Prophet Isaiah so beautifully describes the sufferings of our Lord hundreds of years even before He was born into this world. Many Christians do not meditate on the sufferings of the Lord except during the so-called the Lent days. As we gather around the Lords Table week by week, we remember how our Savior suffered for us and died so we could enter the Holy Place to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving acceptable to Him (Hebrews 13:15-16). By His sufferings, we have been set free from suffering for our sins and are passed into eternal life, by His grace. Hallelujah! Part II: Ministry of the Word: Philippians 4:10-20. The Blessedness of Giving ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real life examples: * A taxi driver was not coming to church on Sundays fearing losing his income. When suggested by a believer to test the Lord by worshiping God on Sundays, he decided to attend the church next Sunday. Oh, he got double profit on Saturday as many hired his taxi. He felt so bad and repented for missing this blessing all those Sundays and began using his taxi for Gods work on Sunday wholeday. * A man confided in me oneday while travelling in a bus that his daughter fell sick and he realized it was due to him not giving the Lords tithe for the previous month! In these ten verses, Apostle Paul lists 10 blessings of giving to the Lord and His work. 1.Giving gives Joy: Being in jail, Paul says that he rejoiced in the Lord because of the giving of Philippian believers. When we remember to help others and continue giving, we bring joy to their lives. 2. Giving is caring: How do we care for others? By giving from our resources. Paul needed saints to care for him as he was about God’s kingdom work. As we give for the Lord’s work, we care for His Kingdom as well as His servants. 3. Giving meets needs: The believers at Philippi often sent help to meet Paul’s needs in the ministry. We must look for opportunities to meet needs in the Lord’s house. The success of His work is depending upon how much we are willing to meet the needs. 4. Giving gives confidence: 4:13. As Christ was able to inject extra strength when he was weak, he had confidence that he could do all things and continue the work and fulfill the mission. As we develop the habit of giving, it also develops confidence that we can live in whatever circumstances by Christ’s strength. 5. Giving is sharing: 4:14. Though they had not actually suffered any prison or persecution like him, they became partakers of his afflictions when they upheld him in prayers and helped him practically financially. Giving is not just putting some coins in the offering box or sending a cheque for a ministry, it is actual sharing in the very life of the Lord’s servants. 6. Giving is sowing: To reap , one has to sow. So in 2 Corinthians 9, he explains so clearly saying, who sows sparingly will reap sparingly and who sows abundantly will also reap abundantly. Similarly, giving to God and His work is like sowng seeds in the good field. 7. Giving brings fruit: The farmer is the first partaker of fruits, said Paul to Timothy in 2 Tom 2. So, when a person gives, he is bearing fruit. Paul wants fruit to their account, as they willingly, generously give and share. John 15:16. 8. Giving is profitable: Again, Paul says in 4:17, that it may be credited to your account when you give for God’s work. There is profit in giving to the Lord, not loss. God has many ways to bless and enrich you. He is no man’s debtor! 9. Giving is worship: In 4:18, Paul says, the things they sent for him, were like sweet smelling savor to God, an acceptable sacrifice, as in OT temple offerings. So, its like offering pure and acceptable worship to God. 10. Giving assures supplies: Paul assures Go d will supply to meet all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 4:19. This is a beautiful promise similar to the one in 2 Cor.9:8. Giving never depletes our supplies but bring more from heaven to fill our lives. Amen. Imagine how much you might have missed God’s blessings by withholding your share in His work! Begin today to give and to experience the abundant blessings of His inexhaustible riches. First make sure, yu repented of your sins and accepted the Lord Jesus as your own Savior and Lord and then you will able to respond in gratitude to all His goodness and grace. God bless you.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 04:51:33 +0000
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