5:01 [Music] Yeah. So the song first song says, "Come bless the Lord all ye servants of the Lord who stand by day. Lift up your hands in the holy place. Bless the Lord. Come bless the Lord. Heat. Heat. Heat. 5:28 [Music] Lord your way and bless the Lord. Bless the Lord. 5:47 He lifted me up from the fiery place. He set my feet. He set my feet on the road to stay on. He's put a song 6:05 in my heart today. A song of praise. Song of praise. Oh, taste and see. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. The Lord is good. 6:24 Oh, taste and see. Oh, taste and see. That the Lord is good. The Lord is good. Oh, taste and see. Oh, taste and see. That the Lord is good. Happy is the man 6:43 who trusts in. Please be seated, brothers and sisters. [Music] 7:07 Oh, hail the power of Jesus name. Let angels prostrate for bring forth the royal denomin [Music] oh. 7:25 Bring forth the royal daddy and crown him Lord of all. Crown him martyrs of our God who from 7:42 the altar call. Extore the stem of Jess and crown him Lord of all. Extore the stem of Jess 8:00 and crown him Lord of all. Brothers only sing with me. He sings redeemed of Adam Tracy ransom from the fall. 8:16 Hail him who saves you by his grace and crown him Lord of all. Heal him who saves you by his grace and crown him Lord. 8:34 [Music] Sister sing for the wood and the gold. Go spread your trophies at his feet and 8:51 crown him. Lord of Lord your trophies at his feet and crown the Lord 9:08 congregation sing. Let every [Music] to him all majesty 9:23 and crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe and crown him Lord of all. Just the voices. Oh, that with yonder sacred throne we at 9:48 his feet may fall. Join in the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all. Join in the everlasting 10:07 song and crown him Lord. [Music] This is the song that rings through the ages. It's our privilege to join in the everlasting song. The song says, "Praise 10:26 him you heavens and all that's above. Praise him you angels. Let the whole earth praise him. Clap and sing. Praise him you heavens 10:44 and all that's above. Praise him you angels in heaven. Let the whole earth praise him. Praise him the sun, moon and bright 11:00 shining stars. Praise him you heavens and waters this time. Let the whole earth praise him. He's great in power. Great in power. 11:18 Great in glory. Great in mercy. King of heaven. Great is heaven. Great is on 11:38 great is heaven. King over all the earth. Come and sing once again. Praising new heavens and all that. Praising you angels and heaven. 11:58 Let the whole earth praise him. Praising the sun and bright shining stars. Praise him heavens and waters and 12:13 tides. Let the whole earth praise him. [Music] Great power. Great glory. Great 12:31 mercy. King of heaven. Great battle. Great wonders. Great heaven. over all 12:53 the earth. [Music] He walked where I walk. He walked where I walk. He stood where I stand. He stood where I stand. He felt what I feel. 13:12 He felt what I feel. He understands. He knows my fraily. He knows my reality. Shared my humanity. Shed my humanity. Tempted in every way. Tempted in every way. 13:30 Yet without sin. God with us. So close to us. God with us. Emmanuel. Oh, 13:48 God with us. So close to us. God with us. Emmanuel [Music] graded [Music] by the prejudice. Strong by the prejudice. 14:07 Suffering injustice. Suffering injustice. Yet you forgive me. We for my wasted years. We for my wasted years. Paid for my wickedness. For my wickedness. He died in my place. 14:25 He died in my place. That I might live. Sing my sisters. God with us. So close to us. God with us. Immhere. [Music] Oh, 14:44 God with us. So close to us. God with us. Emmanuel. [Music] Emmanuel. [Music] 15:26 I am not skilled to understand what God is will. what God has planned. I only know at his right hand stands one who is my savior. 15:49 I take him at his word indeed. Christ died to save me. This I read and in my heart I find a need [Music] 16:06 for him to be my savior that he will leave his place on earth and come for sinful men to love. You counted strength. So once did I 16:27 [Music] before I knew my savior. My savior loves. My savior lives. My savior is always there for me. My god he loves. My god he is. My god he's always going to be my savior loves. My savior 16:46 is my savior is always there for me. My god he was. My god he is. My God is always going to be. Yes. Living, dying, let me bra. I sent my solace from this. 17:10 Daddy who lives to be my king. One side to be my savior. that he would leave his place on high 17:27 and come for sinful men to die. You count it straight so I see [Music] before I need my savior. My savior lives. My savior lives. My 17:45 savior is always there for me. My God, he was my God. He is my God. He's always going to be my savior. My savior is my savior's always there for me. My God he was. My God he is. My God is always 18:04 going to be and oh that he fulfilled me see the travel of his soul in me and with his work contended 18:25 [Music] as I would my dear Savior that he would leave his place on high and come for sinful men to die. You counted strength. So I 18:50 before I knew my Savior seated above, enthroned in the Father's love, destined to die, born of for Almighty 19:16 God, [Music] God's only son, perfect and [Music] he never sinned, 19:33 suffered as if he did. All adoring, every victory is yours. All the glory, 19:59 every victory is yours. Savior, also your honor and glory, 20:16 worthy of all our praise. You all came [Music] Jesus, awesome and power forever. 20:35 Awesome and great is your name. [Applause] You overcame [Music] power in hand speaking the father's plan. 20:53 [Music] We're sending a sound light in this broken land. All the glory, every victory is yours. 21:17 All the glory, every victory is yours. Savior, 21:34 worthy of honor and gloryy, worthy of all our praise. [Music] You overcame, Jesus, 21:52 awesome in power forever. Awesome and great is your name. You overcame. We will overcome 22:11 by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Everyone overcome. We will overcome 22:29 by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Everyone overcome. [Music] Savior 22:46 worthy of honor and glory. Worthy of all our praise. You overcame [Music] Jesus. 23:05 Awesome and power forever. Awesome and great is your name. You all came Above 23:24 [Music] all powers, above all kings, 23:41 above all nature and all creating, [Music] above all wisdom, In all the ways of man, [Applause] 23:58 you were here before the world began. [Music] Above all else, above all, [Music] above all wonderers the world has ever 24:17 known. All the treasures of the earth [Music] is the way to measure what you crucified. 24:41 Lay behind the storm. You live to die. Projected alone like a rose trampled on the ground. [Applause] 24:59 You took the fall. Follow me above all. [Music] Crucified. Crucified. Laid behind the stone. 25:23 You live to die. Rejected and alone like a rose. trampled on the ground. You took the fall 25:41 and thought of me above all. Brother and sisters, shall we stand up and sing our last song? [Music] 26:09 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Bow down before him. His merry proclaim 26:25 with all of obedience and incense of holiness. We let adore him. The Lord is his name. Oh, at his feet with thy burden of 26:49 carefulness high on his heart. He will for thee. Comfort thy sorrows and answer thy breathlessness. 27:06 I thes may best for thee. [Music] We are not to enter those words in the slenderness 27:23 of the poor. Thou was stren as night. truth in his beauty and love in his tenderness. 27:38 These are the offerings to lay on his shrine. Peace. Though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness, 27:55 he will accept for the name that is due. Mornings of joy give for evenings of joyfulness. Trust for our trembling 28:15 and hope for our f [Music] Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 28:29 Bow down for him. His glory proclaimed with gold of obedience and in sense of loness. 28:46 Kneel and adore him. The Lord is his name. Let's remain standing 29:32 as we just sang. Let's come as we are. Because our father loves us. So we don't fear to enter his courts with loneliness and place our humbling 29:49 off humble offerings at his feet. It's all we can do and it's all what that we must do. Let's put aside every thought, every 30:14 anxious thought. Come before our all sovereign father, mighty savior. Above all powers, above all kings, 30:39 above all treasures or wealth of the earth, there's no way to measure what you're worth. All authority 30:56 and every victory is yours. And we will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. We think about our Lord and Savior who 31:41 won the victory, who defeated Satan on the cross and disarmed him. And once 31:59 us to rule over him through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah chapter 10, 32:22 it says that Satan's yoke will be broken from our necks because of the anointing. The anointing breaks the yoke. And this is the spirit of God that rested on Jesus. The spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, 32:40 the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. and says that there will be a highway from 33:01 Assyria, even from those who are in captivity under Satan's dominion. There will be a highway for them, for the remnant of his people, just as there was for Israel in the day that they came out of the land of Egypt. And then you will say on that day, I 33:18 will give thanks to you, oh Lord, for although you were very angry with me, your anger is turned away, and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and song. He has 33:33 become my salvation. Therefore, you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will call. Give thanks to the Lord. Call on his name. Make known his deeds among the peoples. Make them remember that his name is exalted. 33:51 Praise the Lord in song for he has done glorious things. He has done gloriously. Let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, oh inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. 34:05 Brothers and sisters, let's lift up our voice with a song of thanksgiving with a shout of praise for our Lord our God, the mighty deliverer who has set us free from the the chains of Satan and sin and has given us a glorious hope and he's 34:21 worthy of all praise and glory and honor and thanksgiving and power belongs to you, oh Lord. We praise you and thank you. We thank you, Lord, for your finished work on Calvary. We thank you, Lord, that we are the objects of your 34:34 love, Lord. You chose us and called us before the foundation of the earth, Lord. And you talk to us and you help us and you lift us up, Lord. And you lead us in green pastures for your name's sake, Lord. Yes, Lord. We want to bow 34:45 down and give you all the glory. You're the Lord of history. You're the King above all kings, your Lord and Savior. You have great compassion, great compassion on your children, Lord. Yes, Lord. We don't need to fear though we 34:58 are a little flock, Lord. because you are our shepherd and you guard us and keep us Lord. Even now, Lord, we ask for the fullness of your Holy Spirit to flow, Lord, in our midst. And revive our hearts, Lord. And turn every eye and 35:11 every thought to you, Lord, that we might surrender that we might bow down, Lord, in loneliness and come before you, Lord, and that you might have your will, Lord, in our midst. We praise you and thank you. We ask in your mighty name, 35:25 Jesus. Amen. Please be seated brothers. Let's look at our memory verses. 35:42 So last week's verse was a command. You can repeat after me. Romans 15:7. Accept one another. Just as Christ also accepted us. Amen. 36:02 And the verse for this week is a promise from Romans 9:33. I am laying in Zion a rock of offense of the one who 36:19 believes in him will not be put to shame. Say that again. Romans 9:33. I am laying in Zion a rock of offense a rock 36:36 and the one who believes in him will not be put to shame. Amen. Brothers and sisters, um it's our privilege this morning to hear from our dear brother Tanish uh who will share uh 36:55 the word on his heart. Brothers and sisters, good morning and 37:12 praise Lord. So this morning I don't have a new message. I have an old message from an old book. So the verse in my heart is from first epistle of Peter. First epistle of Peter 37:36 chapter 4 and verse 19. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls 37:55 to a faithful creator in doing what is right. Those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. 38:13 So most of us know the background of the this letter this epistle written by Apostle Paul. is this was written around 60 AD and Peter himself was around that age. 38:31 a few years later uh he he was persecuted um and he was killed and the purpose of this letter is to encourage to remind the Christians those days and 38:49 as we know they were persecuted by their faith maybe we can look at the first verse we'll get an idea uh Peter first chapter chapter 1 Verse one. Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ to 39:09 those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pont Pontis, Galatia, Capidoshia, Asia and Bethnia who are chosen according to the fornowledge of God by the father, God the father by the sanctifying work 39:27 of the spirit to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. So they were Christians, they were chosen by God. No doubt they were separated by the work of the Holy Spirit to obey Jesus Christ but they were scattered because of their 39:44 faith. So they had to leave their hometown and they had to go to different places because of their faith and and the persecution in the first century was in a the magnitude of that persecution was much higher than we see or hear in our 40:03 days. But uh Peter felt a burden to encourage them and then he's writing this uh letter to encourage them. And you know you don't need to turn there but uh it was not uncommon the word persecution and suffering these 40:21 verses were not uncommon in those days. In fact when apostle James write uh writes the book of revelation he reminds them that I am a brother. I'm your brother but a fellow partaker in the tribulation. 40:39 So he he counted himself as a a brother and he also reminded them I am I am partaking I am like you. So he he was uh sent to island of Patmos and then he was suffered there. 40:57 But in the midst of all these things, Peter is reminding them there is a suffering according to the will of God. And when you do suffer, when you suffer according to the will of God. Don't fix your eyes on your circumstances. 41:15 Fix your eyes on a faithful creator who created you. He control this whole universe. He is sovereign God. He's mighty God. Fix your eyes on him. Maybe we can turn to the same chapter again. 1 41:33 Peter chapter 4. I'd like to read from verse 12 onwards. 1 Peter 4:12. I'll go through a few verses very 41:51 slowly. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fury ordeal among you which comes upon you for your testing. They had to go through a fairy testing. 42:10 God values faith and our faith is precious in God's eyes. But a faith which is tested is more precious. The it says this trial which came not to punish you you know the human way of thinking any 42:29 suffering or pun uh sickness this is because of sin that's what uh you know when the disciples met a man who was sick they asked Jesus who sinned he or his father they had no doubt this is because of sin but God has had some 42:48 different plan And even Job when his friends came and observed this they said no an innocent man cannot suffer like this. There is something hidden sin in your life. Beloved let us remember God permits in 43:05 his sovereign wisdom testing of faith not to put us to shame. You know we heard we had that memory verse those who believe in God will not be put to shame. And the it's taken from I think Isaiah 25. It says those who trust in the Lord, 43:20 those who believe in the Lord will not be shaken. And this is what God want us to make a children of God who trust him in in the winds of trials. Again, we'll come back to verse 13 43:36 one first Peter chapter 4 and verse 13. But to degree that you share suffering of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exaltation. That is great joy. 43:55 You know when the Lord comes, I believe it will be a very joyful day for those who trust him, those who walk in the light, those who walk in obedience. You know, just like a bride meet her bridegroom at the wedding day, it'll be 44:12 a joyful day when the Lord returns. But for some people, they will rejoice with exaltation. So those are those who suffered, those who partake in the suffering of Christ. And in verse 14 it says, "If you reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed 44:31 because the spirit of glory and of God rest on you." You know what is the mark of uh God's blessing? Brothers and sisters, what is the mark that the spirit of glory or the spirit of Christ is resting upon us? They say some say they speak in tongues 44:50 or they will be always full of joy and uh full of grace. Yes, that is true. But here is an other mark here. It says if you revile for the name of Christ, you are blessed and the spirit of Christ spirit of the glory and glory of God 45:07 rest upon you. And next verse it speak about the wrong kind of suffering. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer or a thief or evildoer or a troublesome medddler. Yeah, we can suffer. We can suffer by doing the wrong things. 45:26 Getting involved in things that do not matters to us unwisely getting into things which is not God's will, which is out of boundary. Without taking godly counsel, following our own natural strength and courage, we can fall into trouble. 45:45 But Peter reminds this, don't do that. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed. Verse 16. And verse 17, it says it's time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, 46:04 what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with the difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and sinner? It says this verse reminds us the judgment of God begins with the 46:21 household of God. I believe to whom more is given more is required. You know when Jesus told about that story of slave I can quickly read Luke 12:47. Luke 12:47. And the slave who knew his master's will 46:53 and did not get ready or act in accord with his will receive many lashes. But the one who did not know it and committed deeds worthy of logging will receive but a few from everyone who has 47:12 been given much. Much will be required and to whom they entrusted much of him they will ask the more. We don't need to fear to come to the church. But our heart, our motive is not to obey 47:30 the Lord and follow the Lord. We must fear to come to a church proclaims the truth of the gospel, truth of God's word without compromising. Because if you know God's will and you don't obey it, it is God's will that we 47:48 must forgive. It's God's will that we must live righteously. It's God's will that we should not put our confidence in anything else but in Christ, not in our own works. But if you don't obey it, says 48:07 if you know his will and don't do it, we will receive much lashes. Well, coming back to verse 19. Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. 48:26 So, I was reminded of that song. It says, we sing sometime the line goes something like this. Courage brother, do not stumble. Though your path be dark and night, there is a star to guide the humble. Trust in God 48:44 and do the right. Though your park, so though your path be dark and night, there's a star to guide the humble, trust in God and do the right. When a path is dark, it can be a sickness. It can be a trial. It can be a persecution. No matter what we go 49:03 through, we need not be shaken. It says we can entrust our souls to a faithful creator and do what is right. You know when we get into something which we don't anticipate, we expect something 49:20 and then something else happen immediately the panic hits. Why this happening to me? Why God allowed this thing? Is anything wrong? The first thing I can do is to trust the Lord. The the Lord without Lord's knowledge, 49:39 without your father's knowledge, not even a hair on your head is falling. And and he's a caring father. So we can trust him. And second, do what is right, not to somehow escape. And uh God will provide a way of escape 49:59 but not to you know put our own uh schemes and try to escape. And I want to point out two examples in the scripture who followed this. Uh first is uh you know I want to ask you a question. You know um there is an 50:15 incident where heaven opened. All of us know it is at the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ. The heaven opened and a voice came from heaven. This is my beloved son. So is there any other place which is written heaven is opened. So 50:31 it's a question. Sorry Jacob. Okay. Any anywhere in the New Testament? Transfiguration. Any other place? Yeah. Stephens. So we can turn to the book of 50:48 Acts. Acts chapter 6. So, Acts chapter 6 verse 5. So, they 51:10 wanted a few brothers to help in the church and they decided to choose seven men. Seven brothers. I believe they were young brothers. U I'd like to read sir Acts 6:5. The statement found approval with the whole 51:30 congregation and they choose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit and few other names there. So they choose Stephen and there are only two things it's written about him. He was a man full of faith and full of the Holy 51:48 Spirit. That should really encourage us brothers and sisters. Not his certificates, not his uh bank balance, not his family background, what is precious in God's sight. He was a man full of faith and he was full of 52:06 the Holy Spirit. Every young people can be like this. uh we don't need to understand too much complicated doctrine. Yes. Yes. You can learn and understand and by heart God's word all these things are true. But 52:25 Stephen I don't this was a new church. It's not a very old mature church. It's a new church. A new movement new beginnings. And uh but he was full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. And Stephen was chosen according to 52:43 God's plan. And verse 7, the word of God kept on spreading and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem. And great many of the priests were becoming obedient to faith. And Stephen full of grace and power was 53:02 performing great wonders and signs among the people. So God's grace was upon him. He was doing great wonders and great miracles and and signs among the people. So what 53:18 blessed me here? God could use him but uh he remained humble till the end. So no matter what God accomplished through this young man, he remained humble. He remained small in his own eyes. It's 53:37 a great challenge for us. And we see how they treated Stephen. Verse 12 we read they stirred up people the elders and the scribes and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before 53:55 the council. They put forward false witnesses. So here is a young man not experienced but he was full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. He had to face something. He had to face a a persecution. I don't 54:13 know whether he was anticipating but suddenly people turned against him and there were false witnesses came and accused him and they dragged him. So there was physical mental torturing 54:30 and verse 15 and fixing their gaze on him all who was sitting in the council saw his face like the face of an angel. So it's a great uh encouragement brothers and sisters even though he faced all these uh 54:49 uh persecution and difficulties his face was like the face of an angel. So I believe the reason his face was like face of an angel because his heart was pure. There was no root of bitterness. Yes, we can put a a plastic 55:07 smile when we have worries and cares and fears in our heart. But uh truly if we follow the footsteps of these men, the path of uh forgiveness, the not giving place to the devil, our 55:26 face can be like the face of Stephen. So I I look back to my own life and you know the the reason I feel most heavy when some somebody misunderstands me. I find it very difficult to rejoice inside my heart and recognize hey this is 55:45 something which God permits. So what a strong pressure that builds up in our spirit. No I have to clarify I have to justify my stand. Not Stephen. But his uh heart was full of forgiveness and mercy and and when he got a chance 56:02 to witness he used that opportunity. Next uh chapter act 7. So he got an opportunity and then he shared he shared a brief message and then again towards the end 54 56:20 he started his message like brothers and fathers but he concluded that you stiff neck people you crucified Christ but then people heard it they were cut to I'll read from verse 54 4. When 56:38 they heard this, this is Acts 7:54. When they heard Stephen speak, they were infuriated, and they begin nashing their teeth at him. But Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God. And 56:56 there we see Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they shouted with loud voices and covered their ears and rushed at him 57:14 with one mind. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him. And the witness laid aside their clocks at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they went on stoning Stephen as he called the Lord and said,"Lord Jesus, 57:31 receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cries out with a loud loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And then he felt asleep. So here is a man who trusted God and did what is right. Did what is right in 57:50 God's eyes. So here also we see the mark of open heaven is not uh always full of joy and the mark of open heaven can be sometimes the stones can come to us. Brothers and sisters, I believe the 58:08 reason for you know when we many of the questions which I we comes to our heart can I do this can I not do this can I wear this dress can I go here all these yes or no questions most of the time it's an indication of a very 58:26 shallow consecration to the lord and to the church but if we are like the lord lord I have come to do your will have all these questions questions we'll have only one question Lord is this your will if this is your will I want to do it if 58:42 this is your will not your will I don't want to do it so there is a rest there is a peace when we come to that point I believe Stephen was like that he was not too much worried his eyes was fixed on heaven his eyes was on the Lord 58:59 and the Lord is not partial brothers and sisters if you are like Stephen I don't believe he will shut heaven for you if we follow his footsteps. I believe the Lord will open heavens for us. And the second example which I want 59:14 to point out is from the old testament. So this was an example of a suffering because of the persecution and the next example is from the book of Job. So he didn't go through persecution as such but there was a incident in his family 59:30 and sickness. He was not an ordinary man. Job was not an ordinary man. All of us know. Yes, he had never had his light never had the light on his self-righteousness. But the life which he lived is a it's a 59:47 very high much above many of us. He lived he walked with a clear clear conscience as we heard last Sunday. You know couple of verses I want to point out. From Job 31:E1 it says uh I covered my I have made a 1:00:06 covenant with my eyes how then I could gaze at a virgin. So he was not super spiritual. He was not pretending there was no temptation. He said but I made a covenant with my eyes and I will not gaze at a virgin virgin. 1:00:25 And verse 33 it says, "Have I covered my transgression like Adam by hiding my iniquity in my bosom." So he didn't cover up his sin. He was uh honestly acknowledged before God and 1:00:43 was uh chapter 29:15. I I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was father to the needy. He didn't live a selfish life. He lived according to the light with a clear conscience. And he he sought to help 1:01:00 others. But suddenly something happened. Things didn't go in the way which he expect which he was expecting and he lost his home. He lost his relatives and he lost his health. How he how he responded? We can all of us know still we can look at Jobap 1:01:20 chapter 2 Job verse 22. Sorry maybe first we can read from Job 1:20. Job 1:20. The first question which came from 1:01:43 Job's mouth, Job's heart is not Lord why this is happening to me. So the first question, first action says the job arose, tore his robe and shaved his head. He had a great sorrow and he fell to the 1:02:01 ground and worshiped and he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. These words won't come into our mouth if we study by heart. 1:02:20 If we have allowed God to do a work in our heart. If we allow God to open our eyes to see there is nothing which we have on this earth which is not received from the Lord. Everything that we have is received. 1:02:37 as we read in the New Testament and Job could Job knew this deep down in his heart that's why he could say this otherwise at the middle of the trouble when we hear a bad news the first question will come from our heart Lord 1:02:53 why this is happening into my life don't feel condemned don't feel discouraged brothers and sisters if you ever said like that but we have been given these examples to learn from these examples And again the next uh chapter Job 1:03:11 chapter 2:22 then verse 7 sorry Job 2:7 then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smoked Job with sore boils 1:03:31 from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head and he took a portrait to scrape himself self while he was sitting among the ashes and then with his wife and came and said to him do you still hold fast your 1:03:46 integrity curse God and I so it's like the fire increasing increasing fire when Daniel's friends were put into fire they said increase the temperature here we see the fire is increasing do you still hold fast your integrity curse 1:04:05 God and die. But he said, "You speak as one of the foolish woman speaks." Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity? It's like Jesus could see the cup which 1:04:21 my father sent. The eyes of Job was not closed. His eyes were open. He could see this is God permitted in his own life. So Job what he did was he shut the mouth of the devil brothers and sisters. So dear brother sister if you are going 1:04:41 through a difficulty or suffering you have an opportunity to shut the mouth of the devil and uh you need to decide what you want to do and God can help us. So I want to share in closing. Now this is not natural. This is not natural that 1:05:00 we embrace suffering and uh we our flesh naturally likes comfort. You know that incident. You don't need to turn there. I very briefly I'll share in Mark chapter 10 when Jesus said um the son of man must be delivered into 1:05:17 the chief priest and the scribes. They're going to condemn him into death and uh they will mock him. Maybe Mark 10:33 onwards they will mock him and spit on him and scourge him and kill him and 3 days later he will rise again. So he was 1:05:36 going to he was speaking about his suffering but uh James and John two sons of Zebedee came to Jesus saying teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. When Jesus asked them, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said, 1:05:51 "Grant me that grant that we may sit on your right hand on your left in glory." So they had no interest in what Jesus is going to go through. They didn't ask, "Lord, how are you going to go through this?" Their eyes was eyes were fixed on 1:06:10 the glory when the Lord comes. Lord, we want to sit with you. We don't want to go through suffering. We want the throne but we don't want the cross. Peter was like that when you know Matthew chapter 16 when Jesus told about 1:06:26 his suffering we read you know when Peter took him aside this is in verse 20 21-22. So when Jesus told foretold about his suffering Peter took him he said no no Lord you should not suffer you should not suffer. This should never happen to you. the 1:06:45 words of uh self-pity, the words of human wisdom. This is not God's way. This is man's way. So, so Peter was not gripped by the word suffering. But you know when when Peter writes the first epistle, 1:07:04 the the words which is repeated, the word which is repeated more is the word suffering. So brothers and sisters, you don't need to feel heavy. at the word suffering because along with the word suffering a word comes many 1:07:21 times in the first apostle of Peter is glory not suffering suffering is not the end but there is glory maybe I'd like to read this verse 1 Peter chapter 1:1 17 1:7 sorry 1 Peter 1 verse 7 so that the 1:07:44 proof Proof of your f faith being more precious than gold which perishes through though tested by fire may be found to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The testing that you go through today, 1:08:02 the testing of faith that you go through today and it can result in praise and glory and honor at the coming of Christ. Another verse from 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 10. After you have suffered for a little 1:08:21 while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. After you suffer for a little while, the God 1:08:39 himself will perfect you. He will confirm and he will strengthen and establish you. You know how did this transformation happened in Peter's life and apostles life? One of the verse in Acts 5:41 it says they went on their way 1:08:58 from the presence of the council rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name. So when God allowed them to be persecuted and suffered, it says they counted it as a great gain. 1:09:16 They started rejoicing. How this change uh happened? Brothers and sisters, I believe the only reason is the genuine true baptism of the Holy Spirit. Nothing else. Not hearing a message about suffering, not hearing a 1:09:34 testimony or uh reading a testimony of somebody who suffered. The real true baptism of the Holy Spirit, it changed something within them. It didn't change the circumstances, but it changed the way they looked at the circumstances. 1:09:49 You know, Peter himself, I thought, you know, he was with the Lord. He was physically seen Christ. And uh when he write this epistle he's only mainly one thing he writes about Christ it is good like you know the other day I 1:10:07 was uh I met a sister in our church he was in an old sister he was in Bak Singh's church for some time I asked her sister what do you remember about Bak Singh and she said something and I was blessed so we would always uh keep the 1:10:21 memory of those whom we love and those whom we walked with and what is the the one most One most precious thing Peter reminds about Christ. You know when he write this letter many things he could write. He could have uh wrote about the 1:10:39 incident which happened at the mount where Jesus was transfigured and he could have testified how Jesus walked him helped him to walk in the water. many other incidents. But you know what uh Peter writes? What is the center of this letter? The center 1:10:58 of this letter is not suffering or glory. It is a person. It is Christ. And the the picture we need to have the person which we need to have in our heart is Christ. How he suffered, how he endured. 1 Peter chap 2 21. 1 Peter chapter 2:2 1:11:25 For you have been called for this purpose since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in his footsteps. Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth. And while being 1:11:42 reviled, he did not revile in his return. While suffering he uttered no threats but kept entrusting himself to him who judges righteously. Peter had no doubt about the power which Jesus had to face any difficulty. 1:12:02 But at the cross he saw something different. He could see pet Jesus emptying all his resources silently hanging his head without reviling return and suffering. and he was not threaten threatening back. So what a picture, 1:12:20 what an example we can have, brothers and sisters. And uh I've heard of uh uh the wife of Richard Wrand uh a lady called Sabina Wrand and she was in prison for a number of years and 1:12:40 their son when he was at the age of 11 because of uh all the persecution what they happened in their family his faith was little and there was an opportunity for him to see his visit his mom in the prison and when he came his name was Mihi when he 1:12:59 came to see her and she came back she was already suffering too much I read it is he couldn't barely recognize her he couldn't even recognize her but he she came back and and gave her witness 1:13:18 and and that was the moment where Mihi was converted so brothers and sisters is uh we are called to win. We have called to follow the footsteps of Christ and the Holy Spirit can help us the least of us. If he could change Peter, he can change any 1:13:36 one of us. May the Lord uh give us that faith and open our eyes. We'll sing a song and then after that we'll hear brother Renjit and brother John Paulo. Hello 1:14:30 brothers and sisters. We'll sing the song into the heart of Jesus. Deeper and deeper I go. Can just quickly go over the lyrics. Seeking to know the reason why he should love me so why he should stoop to lift me from the mighty clay. Saving my soul. 1:14:48 Making me whole. Though I had wandered away. Then it says, "Into the will of Jesus, deeper I go, praying for grace to follow, seeking his way to know." Bowing in full surrender, lower at his blessed feet, bidding him, take, break 1:15:03 me, and make till I am molded and meat into the cross of Jesus, following through the garden, facing the dreaded foe, drinking the cup of sorrow, sobbing with broken heart. Oh savior help grace for my weakness impart 1:15:23 into the joy of Jesus rising with soul and raptured far from the world below. Peace in the midst of pain joy in the midst of sorrow. Jesus will give he will uphold and sustain. Yeah. Brothers and sisters, let's let's 1:15:39 sing this song together. [Music] into the heart of Jesus. 1:16:05 Deeper and deeper I go, seeking to know the reason why he should love me so. Why he should stoop to lift me up from 1:16:25 the myy clay, saving my soul, making me whole. Oh, I had wandered away [Music] 1:16:41 into the will of Jesus. Deeper and deeper I go. Praying for grace to follow. seeking his way to know, 1:17:00 bowing in full surrender. No at his blessed feet, bidding him take, break me and make till I am molded and me 1:17:19 into the cross of Jesus. Deeper and deeper I go. Following through the garden, facing the dreaded fall. 1:17:38 Drinking the cup of sorrow, sobbing with broken heart. Oh Savior, help. Dear Savior, help. Praise for my weakness in God. 1:17:57 Into the joy of Jesus. Deeper and deeper I go. Rising with soul and rapure far from the world below. 1:18:16 Joy in the place of sorrow. He's in the midst of pain. Jesus will give. Jesus will give. He will uphold and sustain. 1:18:34 [Music] Into the love of Jesus. Deeper and deeper I go. Praising the one who brought me out of 1:18:53 my sin and womb. And through eternal aes gratefully I shall sing. Oh how he loved. Oh how he love Jesus my 1:19:13 Lord and my King. [Music] Praise God for what we heard this 1:19:41 morning. Let's turn to 1 Peter 4:19. What we heard. Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. 1:20:00 We heard about the suffering of Joseph and we heard about Stephen as well. Everybody in the world you meet anyone, everybody has suffering. They go through lot of trials and difficulties. Even as 1:20:18 Christians, we also go through trials and difficulties. What is the difference between the suffering of a believer and a suffering of a person who doesn't know God or is an unbeliever? So we read about Job, Job's suffering 1:20:35 and we know what was the outcome, how God blessed him after he was proved and tested and we also know that Job is the first book uh which God intended to write and it speaks about a man and about his suffering. 1:20:53 In the same way the first book in the New Testament is the letter of James. So he was inspired by the Holy Spirit and see the first few words what he says. Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials. 1:21:11 He says brothers and sisters if you have various trials if you're going through sufferings rejoice. He says consider joy. And he says when you encounter various trials he didn't say one or two trials various. So we know various means 1:21:30 we can't count. Sometimes we say to people I have 101 problem but if we sit down and note down our problems it may not exceed more than 10. So that's how we think that we have so many problems and sufferings. But here he says when 1:21:46 you have so many trials consider it joy. Why? Knowing that the testing of your faith endures produces endurance. So and let endurance have its perfect results so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. So as a 1:22:05 Christian when I go through when we go through a lot of sufferings there is a purpose behind our suffering. James writes that purpose is that God wants all of us to be perfect complete and lacking in nothing. That's what we read 1:22:20 in verse four. So that is the purpose behind our suffering brothers and sisters. And we heard the example of Job. We heard the example of Stephen. And another example is Jesus himself. We 1:22:38 can all turn to Hebrews chapter 5. It says verse 9, "And having been made perfect, he became to all those who obey him the source of eternal salvation." It says Jesus having been made perfect, he was made perfect. 1:22:56 So the purpose of suffering is to make us perfect. Jesus was made perfect. How he was made perfect? In the previous verse we see although he was a son he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. He's already a son but why he has to learn 1:23:15 that obedience? That's how God intended. He learned obedience through suffering suffering on the cross or just two or three days before the crucifixion. No, he had learned that obedience by suffering 1:23:33 when he was on this earth when he was living as a human being 33 and a half years. We read about in many places in Mark 3 we see that his own family members they called him this is a senseless fellow he's mad that's what 1:23:48 they thought and in some place in John also we see that they misunderstood him that why are you doing a miracles here secretly go and do in public so you want to become famous and popular right he was mis misunderstood and they said to him that once in John 1:24:06 chapter 7 we see that they said you have a demon And one place they said you are an illegitimal child and your we don't know who your father is. And many places we see that they were seeking uh planning to kill him. They were planning to stone 1:24:21 him. In one place they took him to the hill and they wanted to push him there. So all these sufferings which Jesus went through not even one place we see Jesus answering back reviling back no you are misunderstood. Oh no no no no this is not I didn't come 1:24:37 to be popular. No no no I don't have a demon. I have the Holy Spirit in me. He never tried to argue. He never tried to defend. He never tried to justify himself. He just kept quiet because he learned that obedience through the 1:24:50 suffering. That's what we read in the life of Jesus. Suppose if you can just picture this as after we finish this meeting and we go to our uh place of work or to our community where we live in apartment somebody calls you. Hey, 1:25:05 you have a demon. How do we react? They say that uh you are uh born out of fornication. How do we react? We will try to defend and say that or we'll try we'll if we are in office we'll try to escalate and try to uh tell to the HR 1:25:24 and this fellow spoke like this. That's how we will be. But where is the spirit of Jesus? If I'm a Christian, I should follow the footsteps of Jesus. That's what Jesus learned through the suffering. He learned obedience through 1:25:39 suffering. So we also see another mark of uh the obedience in Jesus is Isaiah chapter 50. We all know this verse verse 6 and 7. I gave my back to those who strike me and my cheeks to those who 1:25:56 pluck out the beard. I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting for for the Lord. sufferings is there. It's it it is 1:26:41 suffering. When I say no to my flesh, I take up the cross and say no to myself, it's suffering. Like in fact I think Peter says for 1 Peter 4:1 um those who suffer in the flesh will cease from sin. 1:27:00 So it's a battle within us. I if I stop suffering uh or hating myself, I start loving myself, I lose out on salvation. Here it says do not lo uh let us not lose heart in doing 1:27:20 good for in due time we shall reap we shall reap eternal life that means God's life will come forth is that what we are here for I think uh as a church we are being heard we have heard the truth and the lord has separated us and 1:27:37 brought us here for what not to have a nice time on this earth but uh to partake of the life of Jesus Christ. That's the call. That's why um we heard about Job. What it says, what James says about Job, 1:27:56 we heard the couple of weeks back that outcome of the Lord's dealing. What was the outcome? See, there was an outcome. See, he suffered, suffered, suffered, suffered, but there was an outcome. what he understood that oh God is so 1:28:12 compassionate and merciful are we experiencing that every day we go through sufferings but that's not the end of it what is the outcome we should look for outcome the outcome is every day I realize and recognize and experience God is so compassionate and 1:28:31 merciful are we experiencing that or we are getting bitter every day if we love ourself we get bitter and if we love the Lord and see if the Lord opens our eyes then we see that oh Lord's dealings the outcome see it's 1:28:51 like a child sorry mother bearing a child it's not easy 9 months but uh her hope is that one day I will have a child and all the sufferings she forgets uh because the hope is that joy I set before for Jesus 1:29:10 suffering was a little while in fact Paul says I think 2 Corinthians 12 he says I think 2 Corinthians 4 he says the light affliction he says it's a very light afflictions all the sufferings which he went through he says light affliction it 1:29:27 will be true for us also at the end of our life or experiencing God's mercy and compassion every day we feel that that is what we should focus on that's why scriptures are given to us. Examples of godly ones are given to us. Here the 1:29:42 scripture says all scripture 2 Timothy chapter um 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16. I'm just uh reading from 1:30:00 living Bible. The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God is useful to teach us what is true. See there we didn't have truth. That's why we were languishing in the world. We were kind 1:30:16 of so selfish and cutthroat and uh doing everything to uh make our life better. That was us. And God has opened our eyes to see the truth. The truth is the living for the Lord. And this world is 1:30:36 not our home. As we heard our home is in heaven. And we go through a little sufferings here because the world doesn't like world didn't like Jesus. The world doesn't like God. World doesn't like the truth. But God has separated us so that we love the truth 1:30:54 and we be equipped. realize what is wrong in our lives. Uh it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right. This is what the scripture scripture in the sense the examples in the scriptures when we see God's heart and example of 1:31:11 Jesus the Holy Spirit opens our eyes then our life will get better. In the process we have to go through this thing called sufferings which is not permanent. The everyday God encourages. It is God's way of making us wellprepared at every point, fully 1:31:28 equipped to do good to everyone. That's how we keep on doing what is right. That's all our calling is to do what is right. That means the what is kingdom of kingdom of God is righteousness. Jesus said that uh uh if you seek his kingdom 1:31:45 and his righteousness and all that you need will be provided to you. That means what is right in God's eyes. I keep doing what is right. If I have to ask forgiveness, I have to ask forgiveness. That is right. If I have to keep my 1:31:58 conscience clear, I have to settle something. I have to settle something. But as I go close to the Lord, God will show more light on myself and I get light and I get to know the truth and I get myself right with God and outcome is 1:32:16 uh becoming like Jesus Christ. That that's the goal. And if I go away from the Lord uh become more selfish and then oh nobody is helping me everybody looks wrong. See this this transformation you see as I get close to the Lord I see 1:32:33 what is lack in me and I seek the Lord. As I go away from the Lord I see lack in all the other places including God and oh I am okay. I am fine. That is the indication. That's where uh we are heading. We are heading toward God. We 1:32:50 are ready to suffer and accept the truth. There's a maybe I don't have time to read. Psalm 112 is a wonderful psalm. You can read the person who lives before God. I was just uh thinking about it. Maybe I I don't go through the whole 1:33:07 thing. I'll just close with couple of verses. Psalm 112 is a wonderful psalm of a righteous person. It says, "Praise God for all those who fear God and trust him. blessed beyond expression. Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing 1:33:22 what is right in God's eyes. That's the calling. Even if it is suffering, I'll do what is right. Then it says verse three, maybe verse four, I'll read it. When darkness overtake takes him, light will come bursting him. He is kind and 1:33:38 merciful. See, it's a transformation. This is the outcome of the Lord's dealing. This man who has set his eyes on the Lord. And uh even verse 5 says all goes well for the generous man who conducts his business fairly is 1:33:52 righteous. And verse six says such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God's constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news. You know for a righteous man who is 1:34:09 living for God committed himself to the Lord. There is no bad news for him nor live in dread of what may happen for he is settled in his mind that the Lord will take care of him. This is the outcome of the Lord's telling. Let's go 1:34:24 this way. This is the way Jesus went. All the apostles went. All godly ones went. May the Lord help us. Let's bow our heads in prayer. Father we thank you father for your word and uh helping us to see the examples of Jesus and many 1:34:42 many godly examples. Lord we see that this path is a path of a righteous in this world. We'll have tribulation but Lord you have overcome the world and you will give us that comfort and strength through the Holy Spirit. And Lord we 1:34:58 will not be overthrown by any circumstances. There is no bad news for us. We will overcome every situation. Lord, you are you called us for a wonderful life. Uh and you are going to do it Lord through the help of your Holy 1:35:11 Spirit. Encourage us, strengthen us, help us to walk this path Lord doing right what is right in your eyes. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Let's hear the announcements. Presenting the book of this month, 1:35:42 Know Your Enemy by Brother Zack Pun. [Music] Young people are the target of Satan's attacks in these days. Satan is going all out to ensure that today's young people are polluted by 1:36:01 impurity, [Music] bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition and materialism. 1:36:22 And if not by any of these, then at least by pride, [Music] self-righteousness, [Music] and hypocrisy. There is a crucial need for Christians, 1:36:41 especially young people, to understand Satan, their spiritual adversary. We need to know Satan's origin as the perfect angel Lucifer who fell due to pride and rebellion against God. And we need to know Satan's deceptive 1:37:02 tactics such as questioning God's word, appealing to fleshly desires, and showing the allure of worldly things. As seen in his temptation of Eve, 1:37:24 God permits Satan's existence because it serves purposes like testing believers and prompting people to turn to God in adversity. Satan currently operates on earth and in the second heaven, 1:37:42 not in hell. and he's actively seeking to deceive and destroy. We can overcome Satan by knowing and applying God's word, resisting him in the name of Jesus, and maintaining a pure life. 1:38:00 We should not be ignorant of Satan's schemes and should rely on God's protection. [Music] Satan was defeated on Calvary decisively 1:38:20 by our Lord Jesus and was stripped of his power. [Music] Our calling now is to register that victory over the forces of darkness 1:38:37 everywhere we go. May this book help you to attain victory through Christ over your enemy. You can read this book free online at cfcindia.com/books/now your enemy. 1:38:59 [Music]
