The Hope of THE Christian (Sunday, Jan 2 2025)

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Please turn with me to 1 Corinthians 13:13:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

This is a very familiar verse to all of us. Today, I am not going to speak about love. But before we go any further, let us bow our hearts and ask the Lord to bless His Word.

Faith, Hope, and Love

Scripture tells us that three things remain: faith, hope, and love.

If I were to ask which of these we hear preached about the most, many of us would say faith. Others would say love. But very few would say hope.

And that is why I want to speak today about hope.

Hope Mentioned Alongside Faith and Love

Let us turn to 1 Thessalonians 1:3:

“Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of God our Father.”

Once again, we see faith, love, and hope together.

Now turn with me to Colossians 1:3–5:

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven.”

This verse deeply struck me.

It tells us that faith and love spring from hope.

That means:

• Our faith in Christ Jesus

• Our love for all the saints

originate from the hope laid up for us in heaven.

Hope is not secondary. It is foundational.

Who Are the Saints?

Paul speaks of love “for all the saints.”

If you are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you are a saint.

You are set apart.
You are holy brethren.
This is not reserved for a select few.

This is something we ought to rejoice in every day.

What Is Biblical Hope?

In everyday language, the word hope is used casually:

• “I hope it rains.”

• “I hope things get better.”

• “I hope so.”

That kind of hope is often nothing more than a wish.

But biblical hope is not wishful thinking.

Biblical hope is:

• A confident expectation

• A settled assurance

• A firm conviction rooted in God’s promises

What Biblical Hope Is Not

Biblical hope is not:

• A promise of an easier life

• A guarantee of material success

• A way to get more things from God

Christian hope is not centered on better circumstances in this world.

What Biblical Hope Truly Is

Biblical hope is centered on:

• The finished work of Christ

• The resurrection of Jesus

• The return of the Lord

• The eternal future of the believer

It is the deep conviction that:

This world, with all its pleasures and all its problems, is passing away—and a greater reality awaits us.

An Illustration of Eternity

Think of a child in the womb.

The child knows only that environment and assumes that is all there is. But the real world comes after birth.

In the same way:

• This life is temporary

• Eternity is our true home

That is the perspective of Christian hope.

Our Citizenship Is in Heaven

Scripture tells us that our citizenship is in heaven.

We belong first to the Kingdom of God.

Salvation means:

• We stop living for ourselves

• We begin living under God’s rule

• His desires become our desires

A Living Hope Through the Resurrection

Turn to 1 Peter 1:3–4:

“According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.”

Our hope is living because Christ is alive.

The Glory That Is to Be Revealed

Romans 8:18 says:

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.”

This glory includes the redemption of our bodies.

Scripture repeatedly teaches that:

• The corruptible will put on the incorruptible

• Mortality will be swallowed up by life

Romans 8:23–25 reminds us that we eagerly wait for:

• Adoption as sons and daughters

• The redemption of our bodies

We are waiting for the redemption of our bodies. This is part of our hope.

And when he appears, we shall be like Him.

1 John 3:2 declares:

“When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

This is the blessed hope of the church.

The Holy Spirit as Our Guarantee

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 tells us:

• Our earthly body is a tent

• God has prepared a heavenly dwelling

• The Holy Spirit is the pledge—the guarantee

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

We belong to God.

Think of climbing a mountain.

• Faith is believing you can make the climb

• Hope is knowing the view at the top is worth the effort

The mountaintop is the return of Christ.

How Hope Is Formed

Romans 5:3–4 teaches us:

Tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.

Hope is formed through endurance and obedience.

Two Practical Applications

1. Speak to Your Soul

Psalm 42:5:

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Hope in God.”

Remind yourself of who God is.

2. Stay Anchored in the Word

Romans 15:4:

“Through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”

The Word of God sustains hope.

Conclusion

Our hope:

• Is secured by the resurrection of Jesus

• Will be fulfilled at His return

• Shapes how we live today

Let us enjoy what God gives us in this life, but let our ultimate hope remain fixed on Christ and eternity.

Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, we thank You for reminding us that the Christian hope is secured in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and will be fulfilled at His return. Help us to live with steadfast hope, so that our faith toward You and our love toward all the saints may flow from the hope laid up for us in heaven. Fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

From Stranger to LORD of All - Peter's Relationship With Jesus (Sunday, Dec 14 2025)

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Below is the same spoken content, no new ideas added, no interpretations introduced.
I have only added headings and structure and lightly adjusted wording for flow and readability while preserving sequence, illustrations, and emphasis exactly as spoken.

Introduction

Praise the Lord, everyone. I want to thank God for allowing me to be here with you today. It is truly a blessing to be with you. We have been traveling and doing many things, so it is especially good to see all of you and spend this time together.

I want to share a few thoughts that God placed on my heart, and I hope they will be a blessing to you as well.

The Parable of the Sower

Let us turn to Matthew chapter 13, verses 1 to 8.

The same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The disciples later asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, and He replied that the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven had been given to them.

Understanding the Soil

What I love about this passage is that it talks about different types of soil. The farmer scatters the seed broadly, and it falls in many places: on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil.

If you grew up in India, this example becomes very real. When I was growing up with my grandparents, we had a paddy field where we planted rice. The farmer would scatter seed, hoping most of it would land on good soil, but knowing some would fall along pathways and edges.

In this parable, the seed represents the Word of God. Some of it is trampled. Some falls on rocky ground. Some falls among thorns. But the hope is that it falls on good soil and produces fruit.

What I love about this story is that every field has the potential to become good soil.

A Picture of Transformation

Think about the terraced paddy fields in the mountains, such as those in Vietnam. These fields are layered upon layered, holding water so crops can grow. They did not form naturally. They required removing debris, clearing thorns, reshaping pathways, and careful planning.

What was once a mountain became fertile ground.

This is how God works with the human heart.

Peter’s Story Begins

To understand this transformation more deeply, let us look at the life of Peter, found in Luke chapter 5, verses 1 to 11.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around Him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat.

This moment was not accidental. Jesus could have arrived at any time, any place, or any boat. But He showed up exactly where Simon was.

A Carefully Orchestrated Moment

Jesus asked Simon to pull the boat slightly away from shore. Boats in those days had no anchors. Without someone actively rowing, the boat would drift.

This meant Simon could not walk away. He could not fall asleep. He had to stay alert. He had to stay present. He had to listen.

Everything about this moment was designed to capture Peter’s attention. Every word Jesus spoke to the crowd was also being spoken to Peter.

When God intends to reach someone, He orchestrates the exact scenario they need.

Obedience Before Understanding

After Jesus finished teaching, He turned to Simon and said, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon responded:

“Master, we have worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”

Something had already changed in Peter. Jesus was no longer just a stranger. Peter called Him “Master.”

If anyone else had said this, Peter would have refused. But something about what Jesus spoke had already begun to penetrate his heart.

The Miracle and the Revelation

When Peter let down the nets, the catch was overwhelming. The nets began to tear. The boats began to sink. Other fishermen rushed to help.

This could have been the greatest financial breakthrough of Peter’s life. But Peter was not impressed by the miracle itself.

Instead, he fell at Jesus’ feet and said:

“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.”

Peter was not transformed by the miracle. He was transformed by who Jesus was.

Conviction and Calling

Whenever there is a true encounter with God, there is conviction. Peter recognized his sinfulness immediately.

Yet heaven’s response was not rejection.

Jesus said:

“Don’t be afraid. From now on you will fish for people.”

At the moment Peter felt most unworthy, God gave him purpose, calling, and destiny.

Leaving Everything Behind

The passage ends by saying that Peter and the others pulled their boats onto shore, left everything, and followed Jesus.

They left behind financial breakthrough, skill, craft, and livelihood. They laid everything aside to run after Him.

This is what God desires—a heart that surrenders completely.

Peter’s Growing Revelation of Jesus

Peter’s understanding of Jesus unfolds step by step:

• First, Jesus is a stranger

• Then, a teacher

• Then, a master

• Then, Lord

Finally, in Matthew 16, Peter declares:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

This is the completion of his transformation.

Conclusion

God asks us to trust Him with the impossible, to be obedient even when it does not make sense, and to allow His Word to soften our hearts into good soil.

When God captures a heart, He gives it purpose, direction, and destiny.

This is what God does—slowly removing stones, clearing thorns, and transforming hearts until they are ready to bear fruit.

The Fullness of Him Who Fills All (Sunday Dec 7, 2025)

Ephesians 1:22–23

“And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”

This passage presents one of the most profound descriptions of the church in all of Scripture. The church is not merely an institution, a gathering, or a religious activity. Scripture declares that the church is the body of Christ and—astonishingly—the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

That statement demands careful reflection.

Christ the Head, the Church the Body

Paul tells us that God has placed all things under Christ’s authority and has given Him as head over all things to the church. Christ rules over everything—but His headship is exercised for the church.

The church, then, is not peripheral to God’s purposes. It is central.

Yet when we look at the church today—fragmented, divided, often struggling—it may not appear to reflect the fullness of God. Congregations differ, denominations disagree, and believers sometimes struggle to walk in unity and love. And yet, Scripture speaks of an eternal vision: God is forming a body that will fully reflect Christ.

Despite the messiness of daily life, broken relationships, cultural hostility, and human weakness, Jesus Christ is building His church. And that church will become the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

“I Will Build My Church”

The first person to use the word church in the New Testament was Jesus Himself.

In Matthew 16, Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds by affirming that this revelation did not come from human reasoning, but from the Father. Upon this revelation—that Jesus is the Son of God—Christ declares:

“I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The foundation of the church is not a person, but a revelation. People may fail, but revelation remains.

Notably, gates do not advance. They are defensive structures. The implication is clear: the church advances, and the gates of hell cannot withstand its movement. The church is called to go, to open gates, and to bring people out of darkness into the kingdom of God.

What Is the Church?

To understand what the church is, we must first understand what it is not.

The Meaning of Ekklesia

The Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia, meaning “called-out assembly.” It does not refer to a building.

• A building is not the church.

• An organization is not the church.

• A weekly event is not the church.

Wherever God’s people gather in Christ’s name—whether in homes, halls, or open spaces—that is the church.

The people gather in a building; the building does not become the church.

The Church Is Not…

1. A Building

God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands. He dwells in the hearts of His people.

2. A Club or Philosophy Group

The church is not a place for intellectual discussion detached from relationship with Christ. The Bible is not a philosophy text; it is the revelation of the Son of God, through whom we receive life.

3. A Concert or Performance Venue

Worship is not for human satisfaction. We worship with an audience of One. The measure of worship is not emotional intensity but whether God is pleased.

4. A Charity Organization

While the church must serve the poor and care for the needy, social action alone does not define the church. Service must flow from union with Christ, not replace it.

The church is none of these things by themselves.

The Church Is an Organism, Not an Organization

The church is a living body.

There is one universal body of Christ across the world, composed of all who are saved by grace, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and being sanctified by the Spirit. Within local congregations, there may be seekers and observers—but only those who are spiritually united to Christ are part of His body.

The church is Christ the Head and believers as His body—nothing more and nothing less.

Christ’s Gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4)

Paul explains how Christ builds His body in Ephesians 4:8–16.

When Christ ascended, He gave gifts to His people:

• Apostles

• Prophets

• Evangelists

• Pastors

• Teachers

These gifts are not given so a few people can do all the ministry. They are given to equip the saints.

Who Are the Saints?

Every believer.

Who Does the Work of Ministry?

Every believer.

The role of church leadership is not to replace the body, but to prepare the body.

The Goal: Maturity and Fullness

God’s purpose is clear:

• Unity of faith

• Knowledge of the Son of God

• Spiritual maturity

• Growth into the fullness of Christ

This maturity protects the church from confusion, false teaching, and instability. It produces believers who know Christ—not merely know about Him.

Spiritual growth is not only intellectual. It is relational, experiential, and transformative.

How the Body Grows

Paul describes the church as a body:

• Each believer is a part

• Each connection between believers is a “joint”

• Every joint supplies something

• Growth happens when each part does its work

No part is insignificant. If one part fails to function, the body suffers. The church builds itself up in love, through truth spoken in love, and through genuine involvement in one another’s lives.

This kind of community is not always comfortable—but it is necessary.

The Mark of the True Church

Jesus did not say the world would know His disciples by:

• Their doctrine alone

• Their miracles

• Their buildings

He said:

“They will know you are My disciples by your love for one another.”

Love is what holds the body together. Without love, structure collapses, truth becomes harsh, and ministry becomes hollow.

Becoming the Fullness of Christ

The church grows when:

• Believers remain connected to Christ

• Believers remain connected to one another

• Every part supplies what God has entrusted to it

As the church lives this way, it grows into what Scripture declares it already is:

The body of Christ.
The fullness of Him who fills all in all.