The Righteousness of God (Sunday Morning, Dec 15, 2024)

In past weeks, we spoke about joy in the Holy Spirit. This is a type of joy that is supernatural and has the ability to fill our lives in the middle of suffering irrespective of the circumstances. We also spoke about the supernatural peace of God, which fills our heart in the face of turmoil and chaos in our circumstances.

Today, we are going to talk about the Righteousness of God. It is not one that comes with observance, but by a relationship with God.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)

Paul writes this to the Romans, because he wants to correct their way of thinking. Righteousness does not come by observing a set of rules about eating and drinking or any other thing. It is experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The book of the Law contained so many commands to obey. But the Law was not given to make sure that if anyone followed those commands, they would be holy or more righteous. In fact the Law was given so that we could understand we could never be righteous by performing works of righteousness. Our righteous deeds are like “filthy rags” before God as Isaiah 64:6 states.

The foundation of God’s throne is righteousness and justice (Psa 89:14).

It is in God’s nature that everything He does is right. For us, righteousness is being right with God.

The Bible says, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20 NASB).

About 40% ofJesus’ teaching was focused on the Kingdom of God. Yet, I have wondered that I couldn’t accurately define what the Kingdom of God signified after many years as a Christian. We must deeply consider what it means to be part of God's kingdom, as this was a central focus of Jesus' ministry. Seeking God's Kingdom and Righteousness.

1. Jesus instructed us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). This means making God's kingship over our lives the top priority, allowing Him to be Lord over every area.

2. Jesus told us to “pray that His Kingdom will come and His will be done” when He taught the disciples to pray. (Matt 6:10)

3. Jesus also told His disciples to preach the Kingdom of God, teaching new believers to do all things that He commanded us. (Matt 28:19-20)

As we can see, Jesus encouraged us to seek first, pray for, and preach the Kingdom of God. The message of the Kingdom of God is simple to understand, but the requirement is clear.At the center of the message of the Kingdom, is that it should be the center of our lives. That’s why some people who heard Jesus and thought it was too hard.

The key part of the message is that God should be the King of our lives and He must have supreme authority, like the kings of old. Wherever you are, you must live under the Kingship of God. If there are things in your life that prevent you from submitting to God’s Kingdom fully, then you should leave that and seek Him more.

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 outlines the kingdom living.

Jesus said, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20.

Jesus says that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the pharisees. Their righteousness was based on works and the law, and true righteousness is by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  Heb 11:6.

But Jesus did not lower the standards of righteousness for believers by abolishing the law and allowing them to break the law. What He did is to take away the focus from the external to the internal. From actions alone to attitude also.

This, wonderfully, is something that was revealed in the Old Testament saints also. Abraham believed in God and it was credited to Him as righteousness. In fact, even though Romans and Galatians focuses on Abraham’s faith, we read that even for Enoch and Noah, they were commended as righteous, by faith.

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous” Heb 11:4

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Heb 11:7

Finally, God wants us to not only be righteous by faith, but He also that we will grow in this righteousness that is revealed from faith to faith.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”. Rom 1:16-17

Finally, you grow in faith by hearing the word of God.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Rom 10:17

So immerse yourself with the word of God so that God can fill you with faith that leads to righteousness.

In these days, let us seek to grow in the righteousness of God. May God establish us in His Kingdom through an outpouring of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

THE CENTURION'S FAITH (SUNDAY MORNING, DEC 8, 2024)

Bro. M. K. Shivakumar

Today we are going to see three things from a miracle Jesus did for the Centurion’s servant in Matthew 8. These truths are necessary for us in our daily spiritual life, so that we may grow in Christ.

1.      Humility

2.      Faith in Jesus’ Power

3.      Distance not a barrier

Jesus came down from the mountain after a long teaching, came to Capernaum which was a small fishing town located on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee about 100 miles north of Jerusalem. It was the home town of a number of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Matthew. Although Jesus was from Nazareth, Capernaum became his new hometown and was the center of many of his activities and miracles.

The centurion was a commanding offer of 100 men in the Roman army. The Roman government had invaded and conquered the land of the Jews. This army was a kind of military police with complete authority. Many of the Jewish people hated the Romans. He was a gentile. But this man, beyond the prejudice and the hatred of Jews, he fell in love with their God (Jesus).

Jesus had just completed the message that is known as the Sermon on the Mount.

Verse 6: “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

He addresses Jesus as “Lord” (or kurios in Greek) means master or the one who rules over me. “I am your servant.” He recognizes Jesus as Messiah.

1) Humility

The centurion acknowledged his unworthiness to have Jesus in his house.

This gentile officer had a servant who is paralyzed and suffering greatly. So he asked Jesus for help. He was asking for someone who was working under him but not for himself. So we can also intercede for others to Jesus, He will be willing and also able to help us.

Jesus said, “Shall I come and heal him?”

Jesus did not say to the centurion, “I will come and see what I can do” or “I am tired after teaching” or “I am hungry, come and see me later.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

Verse 8: “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

The greatest part he acknowledges is his unworthiness. Let’s look at a few examples of people who confessed their unworthiness.

• In Luke 18, we see the tax collector in the template praying alongside the pharisee. The tax collector beats his chest and says, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

• In Luke 15, In the parable of the prodigal son, the son confesses, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

  Are we acknowledging our unworthiness always whenever we are in His presence?

2) The Faith of the Centurion

Let’s now look at the centurion’s faith: The centurion believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant, that his one word could heal him.

We see when Jesus was raising Lazarus from the dead after 4 days. Jesus was asking the people around him to roll the stone away, but Martha said, “Lord, by this time there is a bad odor if we open.” Jesus said to her, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.”

How is our faith?  Let’s examine ourselves. Is it like the centurion who believed that Jesus’ one word can heal his servant?

• Pslam 107:20: “He sent out his word and healed them”

• Isa 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
  It will not return to me empty,
  but will accomplish what I desire
  and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

 3) Distance is not a barrier

Distance is not a barrier with God, because God is omnipresent. Jesus is fully human and fully God. He knows all our situations, all our challenges, He is present at all times, there is no such thing as distance when it comes to God.

Jesus works in response to the centurion’s faith. He says “You are all powerful, able to heal my servant by your word.”

In Matthew chapter 15, we see one more instance of Jesus healing from a distance. Jesus heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman. This woman was also a gentile.

Eph 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Are we far away from God?

Distance is not a barrier for healing and it is not a barrier for salvation. What we can understand from this is that we can pray for people from anywhere in the world. His words goes out and heals them.

Finally, we are going to see the reward.

Verse 10: “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” What a reward and certificate he had from the Lord for his faith.

Verse 13: “Jesus said to the centurion. “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” The servant was healed at that moment.

Let’s all submit ourselves to God through faith in Jesus.

The Peace of God (Sunday Morning, Dec 1, 2024)

Peace of God

Last week we tried to understand the joy of the Lord from the word of God. The kind of joy that is unnatural, supernatural, and difficult to understand. And we know that this joy is completely different from what the world calls happiness, pleasure or joy.

Today let us understand more about the peace of God. It is not something unknown to us. Peace is something that we discuss a lot, maybe because of the need for it, or the lack for it in normal places. There is lack of peace in the world outside with ongoing conflicts between communities and nations. There is also the lack of peace in the hearts and minds of people. There is so much turbulence in the world and true peace is nowhere to be found. In these circumstances, peace gains more importance than anything else. It is also an extremely attractive proposition if real peace was actually available as there is a great need for godly peace. So, studying about the peace of God is extremely relevant and timely.

1. Who has access to this peace?

2. What is this peace like?

3. How do we experience this peace?

Who gets this peace?

The peace of God is only available to those who have made peace with God. Sorry, it sounds insensitive and non-inclusive. But it's not for everyone in the world. As much as how nice we'd like to be, we cannot wish a person who does not believe in Christ to have the peace of God. The Bible says that we were alienated from God and enemies. Col 1:21

Also, not just theologically, but practically, we know that not every Christian experiences this perfect peace either. Just because a person becomes a child of God, they do not experience this peace. Only people who remain faithful to God can even hope to experience the peace of God.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Romans 5:1

Even if we have unconfessed or unresolved sin within us, we will not be able to experience the peace of God.

Speaking to His disciples Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14: 27

Summing up, you need to be in peace with God, before you can have the peace of God.

What is this peace like?

Before we talk about what God's peace is like, let's think about what the world offers as peace. The world tries to help you buy peace of mind. For example, people feel like they have peace of mind when they have a bank balance, wealth, things to entertain, and distract them. They try to ‘insure’ their way out of the uncertainties in this fallen world. Life insurance, health insurance, home insurance, appliance insurance, travel insurance, gap insurance, umbrella policies, liability insurance. It never ends. These things are temporary quick fixes that truly do not solve a problem that can only be solved by a completely different approach: a change of heart.

Biblical peace comes from a relationship with God. It is so fundamental to God that scripture frequently speaks about God and peace that one of the names of God is Jehovah Shalom based on the God's revelation to Gideon. And in Isaiah's prophecy calls him the Prince of Peace.

Godly peace is:

1. Not an absence of conflict or difficulty. It is often experienced in the midst of that.

2. Not external, it is internal.

3. Not a performance, it is an assurance.

4. It is not natural, it passes all understanding

How do we get access to Godly Peace

We will now see how we can get access to God's peace, how we can grow in it.

1) Abide in Him

Peace is a gift from God and fruit of the Spirit. By abiding in Him and in His 

 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Our job is to remain in the vine. Allow the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit in our lives.

2) Trust in Him

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

Often, we want peace of mind to trust in God. The more we trust in God that God is in control of all in our lives, the more strongly we experience God's peace. It is also important to renew our minds with the word of God and meditate on the right things so that His peace can grow within us.

3) Submit to His rule

Even though we speak about peace of mind, Biblical peace is something that happens first in your heart.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”Colossians 3:15

When God rules your life, His peace rules your heart. 

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Rom 14:17

4) Remain Hidden in Him

One of the greatest Biblical pictures of peace is that even though we are in this world, we are in Christ.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33

Praise be to God because in Him we have peace.

In the letter to Colossians, Paul says our life is hid with Christ in God. Even though around us we may see trouble and tribulation around us, because we are in Christ we remain shielded. It is like an astronaut being in space which is cold and completely devoid of air but wearing a space suit keeps him insulated from the cold and having enough air to be comfortable. When we are hidden in Christ, what happens around us does not have its impact on us.

“Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalms 27:3-5

God is able to hide us in the time of trouble and He will, if we abide in Him, trust in Him, submit to His rule and remain hidden in Him.

May God grant us His peace in every circumstance.