Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: The Great Commission Page 1 of 2

Labor sans Love

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On September 5, 2017

In Christian

Labor day is celebrated annually on the first Monday in September as a national tribute to all the workers who labored for the well-being of America, making it strong and prosperous.

Christian life is a life of labor, wherein we are co-laborers with Jesus Christ himself, in God’s mission of reconciling fallen man back to himself. We are commissioned to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that God has commanded us (Matthew 28:18-20). And his greatest two commandment is to love him first and to love others (Matthew 22:36-40).

To the Church in Ephesus, God gives this commendation that he knows of their work and their persistent and persevering labor and how they cannot bear those who are evil. Nevertheless God says that he has a complaint against this church and his complaint is that the Church of Ephesus had left their first love (of God and of others). They are asked to remember their first love, repent, return  to the one who first loved and to redo their first works (labor) (Revelation 2:2-4).

Points to ponder:
From this commendation juxtaposed with complaint of the Church of Ephesus by God, we learn that one can labor without love. Let our work for the Lord God not be as such, but instead let our labor be as a result of our love for him and his creation. Let us labor because we love God for he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Let us labor to share with his creation that God sent his son Jesus (John 3:16), who came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) and all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23); and whoever believes in Jesus and receives him, to them he gave them the power to become the children of God (John 1:12). Let us share the good news not because we have to but because we want to as an expression our love for God and his people so that God does not have to tell of us “I know your hard work, nevertheless you have left your first love”. Let our final commendation of labor not be one sans love.

Let us remember God’s love for us that demonstrated on the Cross by his Son (Romans 5:8) and repent and return to labor for our first love – Jesus Christ, who is always with us (Matthew 28:20).

Revelation 2:2-4 (KJV)
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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.

 

Fear Not – what does that mean?

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On April 25, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Grammy Award winning singer, Chris Tomlin beautifully expressed this motif, that if God is with us, then there is nothing or no one that we need to be afraid of, in his song, Whom Shall I fear? (The God of Angel Armies). Now hold that thought.

Genesis 26:24 gives the account of the Lord appearing to Isaac, on the very same night, that he had moved up to Beersheba and the Lord first identifies himself to be the God of Abraham, Isaac’s father. Then the Lord says that he will bless and multiply Isaac, for the sake of Abraham, but before this reassurance is given, the Lord starts out by telling Isaac to Fear Not. Why? Because the Lord says that he was with Isaac.

Isaac was in a foreign land. His servants had just been in contention with the servants of the king Abimelech of Gerar. And while these events could have given him the sense that he was alone in battling the circumstances and life issues, the Lord comes through with the assurance that he was with Isaac and so Isaac had no reason to fear. There was nothing Isaac had to be afraid of because God was with him.

Points to ponder:
When fear seems to grip your heart and you feel that you are all alone, battling the issues of life, you can call on to the Lord and when he is with you, you have nothing to fear. No matter what the situation is and how dire things seem, when you have the God of angel armies with you, fear not.

Jesus’ name was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah and proclaimed by the angel Gabriel to Mary that he shall be called “Emmanuel” meaning God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). And Jesus promised that he is with those who love him and obey his commands, following him, always, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

The question that remains is “Are you afraid?”. In other words, that can be translated into “Is the Lord with you?” Now take note, if the God of angel armies, the Lord is not with you – then that is a dreadful thing!

Genesis 26:24 (KJV)
24 And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

Go forth – A family affair

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On February 24, 2014

In Christian

When the earth was dried, and all who were in the ark were saved, from God’s inundating judgment, God told Noah to leave the ark. The King James Version renders it as “Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.” (Genesis 8:16). In this one verse are two hidden treasures that we must not miss. First it is the command of God to “Go forth.” Second, God includes Noah’s family (his wife, his son and their wives) to be part of this commission.

God wants us, who are saved by being in Jesus Christ – The Ark of our salvation, to Go forth. Jesus himself said, “Go ye (forth) 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 that he has commanded us” and yes, he promised to be with us, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20). And this commission is not just for an individual, but for the family as well. Noah was to lead his family safely to the new world, just as it is expected of each of us, who are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus to lead our families safely into the new world, God has provisioned for us.

Points to ponder:
The Triune God in one, introspects, “Who will go for us? Whom shall I send?” (Isaiah 6:8). Are you and I willing to say “Here I am Lord, send me” (as did prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 6:8) and are we willing to “Go forth (of the ark i.e., with the Salvation of Jesus Christ) and is our family also part of this journey?” God wants us to “Go forth (of the ark), as a family!” and we can be assured that Jesus will go with us, even unto the end of the world.

Genesis 8:16 (KJV)
16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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.

According – to faith, to commandment

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On October 17, 2012

In Christian

When Paul introduces himself in his letter to Titus, he introduces himself as an servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, not based on his own works, but according to the faith of God’s elect (Titus 1:1) and according to commandment of God his Savior (Titus 1:3). Unfortunately, today we see many who claim to be “called” to serve God, but in their modus operandi reflect little to no faith, in word or action, or any obedience to God as a response to his commandment to be his ambassadors of reconciliation (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Points to ponder:
When we function as servants of God and apostles of Jesus Christ, let us make sure that it is not motivated because of some personal emotion or on our works, but let it be according to faith, in God, which makes God our Savior and let it be according to the commandment of commission that we receive from God and God alone. It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6) and obedience to be commandment.

Titus 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

Discipleship Series :: The Commission

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On July 19, 2011

In Christian, Discipleship Series

The commission that is given by Jesus for his disciples is to go and teach and baptize in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). The word “teach” here is used in the context of “making disciples”. In fact, many versions of the Bible render this commission as “Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” In other words, the commission of a disciple is to make disciples.

Apostle Paul taught for a year, the teachings of Jesus in Antioch and the people there came to be known as disciples of Christ Jesus (Acts 11:26). Paul was commissioned to make disciples and that is what he did. The same is true for all of us, who believe in Jesus. We are disciples of Jesus and our commission is to make other disciples of Jesus. This means that we teach with our lips and our lives, that there is only one Master and Lord, who is to be followed and that Lord and Master is Jesus.

Point(s) to ponder:
The question is not, “Are you/I a disciple of Jesus Christ?”, but “Are you/I a disciple of Jesus Christ, that makes disciples of Jesus Christ?”

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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.

Trinity of God :: In the Commission

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On July 1, 2011

In Christian, Trinity of God

The question that is asked in heaven is “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). Notice, how the word “I” and “us” are used. This establishes both the Oneness of God (“I”) and the Trinity of  God (“us”). It further demonstrates the fact that the commission that is given to mankind is by the Trinity of God; by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus affirmed this when he gave the great commission by commanding, “go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19).

Points to ponder:
If you hear the voice of God asking you today, “Whom shall I send, who will go for us?”, what is your response going to be? Will it be, “Here I am God, Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Matthew 28:18-19 (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Christian Acronym :: Y.M.C.A

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On April 12, 2011

In Christian, Christian Acronyms

Many are familiar that the acronym YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, which was founded in 1844 by twenty-two year old George Williams and 11 other friends as a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets. Sadly today the far reaching objective of the founding fathers, has been replaced by one that is myopic to help people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, with no reference published in their objective to the Bible as the original fathers intended. Social responsibility over soul responsibility seems to be the focus.

As a Christian acronym, what could Y.M.C.A stand for? To be inclusive of the elderly and the non-male gender, Y.M.C.A as a Christian acronym could stand for YHWH’s Missionary Christian Association (Y.M.C.A). First, we are YHWH (pronounced Yahweh’s) i.e., we belong to the Almighty Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God (Exodus 20:3). Second, we are all Missionaries on a mission, both men and women, young and old (Matthew 28:19-20). Third, we are Christians. To be a Christian is to belong to Christ i.e., Christ-Ones (1 Corinthians 3:23). And Finally, we are an Association. We are to be grafted (associated) with Christ first (John 15:1-8) and second with all others who are believers, united in one accord (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Are you and I in YHWH’s Missionary Christian Association?

Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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.

1 Corinthians 3:23 (KJV)
23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s [YHWH’s].

1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Urbi et orbi – Mission Field

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On January 7, 2011

In Christian

The Latin phrase, ‘Urbi et orbi‘ literally means ‘to the city and to the globe’. Essentially, this phrase can be used to describe the mission field of a Christian. The commandment commission was given for all who believe in Jesus Christ, to be his witnesses and to go and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe ALL the commandments of God (Matthew 28:19-20). But how do we go to all nations? Acts 1:8 gives us the pattern. It states, ‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.‘ This describes the mission field of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It starts with the city (Jerusalem), then the region (Judaea), then cross-cultural geographies (Samaria) and finally the globe (uttermost part of the earth). In other words, all nations can be reached by reaching locally, regionally, cross-culturally and globally, i.e., Urbi et orbi is our mission field.

Are you/I on the mission as commanded? We can start with our city! To the city and to the globe; Urbi et orbi.

With great power comes great responsibility and …

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On March 4, 2010

In Christian, Movie Motions

When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student, Peter Parker gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family. Well if you haven’t already guessed it, the movie whose synopsis is given above is ‘Spiderman’. The tagline in the movie is ‘With great power comes great responsibility’, which is what Ben, Peter’s uncle upon being shot, tells Peter as his last words.

Apropos this well recognized tagline, the Bible has something to say as well. Acts 4:33 reads “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all”. With great power does come the great responsibility of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which is to be the apostles (messengers sent forth) of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, but unlike the Spiderman tagline, it doesn’t end there. According to the Bible, with great power comes great responsibility AND great grace. A grace that is sufficient for each one of us (2 Corinthians 12:9) as we take on our responsibility with the power of the Spirit of Jesus (Galatians 4:6) a.k.a the Holy Spirit of God sent in the Name of Jesus (Acts 1:8; John 14:26), with whom we can do anything, as He gives us the strength to. (Philippians 4:13).

With great power comes great responsibility and great grace.

Acts 4:33 (KJV)
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Time to have an EGO

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On February 1, 2010

In Christian

Visiting Pastor Samuel Chacko from North India challenged the members attending the Austin Christian Fellowship of India Church to fix their eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). One particular statement that germinated a thought in me was , “IF YOU LOVE PEOPLE, IF YOU REALLY LOVE PEOPLE, THEN YOU WILL NOT ALLOW SATAN TO TAKE THEM TO HELL”. What a statement  – “love people”, “really love people”, “not allow satan”. I must admit that this triggered a response in me to want to be a witness for Jesus, to love people and not let satan have anyone, no not one. But for this to happen, I realized that I must first look unto Jesus and second be obedient to His commission, which is to be His witness (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28).

To fix my eyes on Jesus is to learn of Him for His word (The Bible) and have a renewal of my mind to conform to His image (Philippians 2) and to be obedient to His commission is to have an EGO mission. Now is the time to have an EGO, i.e., a mission in which EACH GETS ONE. Acts 6:7 states that the number of disciples multiplied. To multiple means that 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 4, 4 becomes 8 and so on… With Each Getting One (EGO), the 12 disciples multiplied to 24 disciples, who in turn got 24 more and the word of God increases, snatching people from under the bondages and clutches of satan so they can be free.

Jesus said, you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). The word used for witness in Greek is interestingly ‘Martyr’; we must be martyred to self, and to sin and be willing to be martyred for Jesus Christ. Our mission should be EGO, reflecting obedience to the faith and a means by which we can say that we love people, we really love people.

Acts 6:7 (KJV)
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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