5:05 While we remain standing, shall shall we all sing our first song? Joyful, joyful, we adore thee. God of glory, Lord of love. Brothers and [music] sisters, please 5:22 feel free to clap and sing with us. >> [music] >> Joyful, [music and singing] joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, [music] Lord 5:41 of love. Hearts unfold [singing] like flowers before [music] thee, opening to the sun above. >> [music and singing] >> Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive [singing] the dark of doubt away. [music] 5:58 Giver [singing] of immortal gladness, [music] fill us with the [singing] light of day. All thy [music and singing] works rejoice around thee, earth and heaven [singing] reflect [music] thy ways. 6:17 Stars and angels sing around thee, center [singing and music] of unbroken praise. Fields and [music and singing] forests, vale and mountain, flowery meadows flashing free. Chanting [singing and music] bird and 6:36 flowing fountain, call us to [music] rejoice in thee. Thou [singing] art giving and [music] forgiving, ever blessing, [singing] ever blessed. Wellspring of the 6:54 [singing and music] joy of living, ocean depth of happy [music] rest. Thou art Father, Christ our Brother, [singing] all who live in love are thine. Teach [singing and music] us how to love each other, 7:13 lift us to [music and singing] thy joy divine. Mortals [music] [singing] join the mighty throng. Morning stars [music and singing] began. 7:28 Now divine is reigning o'er us, binding all within [singing and music] its span. Ever singing, march we onward, victors [music and singing] in the midst of strife. 7:45 Joyful music [music] leads us onward in the triumph [singing] song of life. Please be seated. Sing our next song, Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son. Endless is the victory 8:04 thou o'er death has won. Thine be [singing and music] the glory, risen, conquering Son. Endless [music and singing] is the victory thou >> [chanting] >> o'er death has won. [music] 8:23 Angels [singing] in bright raiment rolled the stone away. Kept the folded [singing] grave [music] clothes where thy body lay. >> [singing] >> Thine be the glory, risen, [music and singing] conquering 8:43 Son. Endless is the victory thou o'er death [singing and music] has won. Lord [music and singing] Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb. Lovingly [music] 9:02 [singing] he greets us, scatters fears and gloom. Let [singing] the church [music] with gladness hymns of triumph sing. For the Lord now >> [singing and music] >> liveth, 9:19 death has lost its sting. Thine be the glory, risen, [music and singing] conquering Son. Endless is the victory thou [singing] o'er death has won. >> [music] 9:37 >> Join with us, brothers and sisters. No more we doubt [singing] thee, glorious [music] Prince of life. Life is [singing] naught [music] without thee, aid us in our >> [singing] >> strife. 9:54 Make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love. lead [music and singing] us in thy triumph to thy [music] home above. Thine [singing] be the glory, 10:12 risen conqueror's [music] son. Endless [singing] is the victory thou over death >> [music] >> has won. I will praise you, [singing and music] 10:31 oh Lord, with all my heart. I will tell [music and singing] of all your wonders. I will dance, [music and singing] I will sing, and rejoice in you, and give praise to [music and singing] your glorious name. 10:49 From the top again. I will praise [singing] you, oh Lord, >> [music] >> with all my heart. I will tell of all your wonders. >> [music and singing] >> I will dance, I will sing, and rejoice [music] in you, and give [singing] praise to 11:07 your glorious name. Hosanna, >> [music and singing] >> hosanna, hosanna >> [music] [singing] >> to the king. Hosanna, >> [singing] >> hosanna, 11:27 >> [music] >> hosanna >> [singing] >> to the king. Only voices sing hosanna. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna >> [singing] >> to the king. Hosanna, hosanna, 11:48 >> [singing] >> hosanna to the king. Praise awaits [music and singing] you, Lord our God, in Zion. To you >> [music] >> we offer 12:07 >> [singing] >> our prayers, all men will come. When we were [music and singing] overwhelmed by sin, you saved us. Fill [music] us [singing] with the good things of your house. Praise awaits [music and singing] you, 12:27 Lord our God, in Zion. >> [music] >> Praise awaits [singing] you, Lord, you're in this place. The crown of praise [singing and music] awaits you, Lord, in Zion. Praise awaits [singing] you, Lord, 12:47 you're in this [music] place. You answer [singing] us with awesome [music] deeds of righteousness. For you [music and singing] are the hope of all the earth. From this [singing and music] place 13:06 where morning dawns and evening fades, you [music] comfort [singing] the mighty shouts of joy. Praise [singing] awaits you, Lord [music] our God, in Zion. Praise awaits [singing] you, Lord, 13:27 you're [music] in this place. The crown of praise [singing] awaits you, Lord, [music] in Zion. Praise awaits [singing and music] you, Lord, you're in this place. We praise you. 13:47 >> [music] >> We praise [singing and music] you. We praise you. >> [singing] [music] >> Oh, Lord. 14:06 >> [music] >> Praise awaits [singing] you, Lord our God, in Zion. [music] Praise awaits [singing] you, Lord, you're in [music] this place. The crown of praise [singing and music] 14:23 awaits you, Lord, in Zion. Praise [singing and music] awaits you, Lord, you're in this place. I've anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I'll brave. And I've anchored in Jesus, [music] I 14:42 fear no wind or wave. I've anchored to the rock of ages. Join with us, brothers and sisters. Upon life's rolling ocean, [music] where mighty billows [singing] roll, I fix my hope in Jesus, best 15:01 [singing and music] anchor of my soul. When trials test the sail, [music and singing] and storms are gathering over, I rest upon his mercy, [music and singing] and trust him more. I've anchored in Jesus, [music] the storms of life I'll brave. 15:20 I've anchored in [music and singing] Jesus, I fear no wind or wave. I've anchored in Jesus, >> [music and singing] >> for he has power to save. I've anchored to the rock of ages. >> [music] >> He keeps my soul from evil, and gives me 15:44 blessed peace. His voice has [music] stilled the [singing] waters, and bid them to cease. My pilot [music and singing] and deliverer, to him I all confide. For always when [music and singing] I need him, he's at my side. 16:02 I've [music] anchored >> [singing] >> in Jesus, the storms of life I'll brave. >> [music] >> I've anchored in Jesus, I fear no wind [singing] or wave. I've anchored >> [music] >> in Jesus, for he has [singing] power to save. 16:19 I've anchored to the [music] rock of ages. >> [music] >> He is my friend and savior, [singing] in him I anchor fast. He drives [music] away my sorrows, and 16:37 shields me from [singing] the blast. By faith I'm looking upward, [music] beyond life's troubled sea. There I behold [singing] a heaven prepared [music] for Only voices sing. I've anchored [singing] in Jesus, the storms of life I'll brave. I've anchored 16:57 [singing] in Jesus, I fear no wind or wave. I've anchored in Jesus, [music] for he has [singing] power to save. I've anchored to the rock of ages. >> [music] [music] 17:32 >> Our God is a consuming >> [singing and music] >> fire, burning holy flame, glory [singing] and freedom. [music] Our God >> [music] >> is the only righteous [singing] 17:51 judge, ruling over us with kindness [music and singing] and wisdom. We will keep our [singing] eyes >> [music] >> on you. We will keep our [singing] eyes 18:09 >> [music] >> on you. A [music] mighty [singing] fortress is our God. A [singing and music] sacred refuge is your name. Your [music] kingdom [singing] is 18:33 unshakeable. With [music and singing] you forever we will reign. Our God is jealous [singing] for his [music] own. None could comprehend 18:52 >> [singing] [music] >> his love and his mercy. >> [music] >> Our God [singing] is exalted on his throne, high above [singing and music] the heavens. Forever he's worthy. 19:12 We will [singing and music] keep our eyes on you. >> [music] >> We will keep our [singing] eyes on you. We can We can set [singing] our hearts on you. >> [music] >> Lord, [music] we will set our hearts on 19:36 you. >> [singing] [music] >> A [singing] mighty fortress is our God. >> [music] >> A sacred [singing] refuge [music] is your 19:54 name. >> [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [music] 20:13 [singing] >> Have thine own way, Lord. Thou art the potter, I'm the clay. Mold 20:31 me and make me after thy will. While I'm waiting, yielded and still. >> [singing] [music] [singing] 20:52 [music] [singing] [music] [singing] 21:15 [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music and singing] [music] 21:42 [singing] [music] >> Have thine [singing] own way, >> [music] >> search me [music and singing] and try me, master [singing and music] today. 22:11 Whiter [singing] than snow, >> [music] >> wash me just now. >> [singing and music] >> As [singing and music] in thy presence, humbly [music and singing] I bow. 22:37 Sing verse four, have thine own way, Lord. Verse four. Have thine own [singing] way, Lord. Have thine own [singing] way, hold your [singing] my being, 23:03 absolute [singing] sway. Fill with [singing] thy spirit till all [singing] shall see Christ only [singing] 23:28 always >> [singing] >> living in me. Be exalted, 23:46 [singing] oh God, above the [singing] heavens. Let thy glory [singing] >> [music] >> be over >> [singing and music] 24:03 >> all the earth. Be [singing and music] exalted, oh God, above [singing] the heavens. >> [music] >> Let thy [singing] glory 24:24 be over all [singing] the earth. Shall we all stand and sing, [music] I will give thanks to thee. I will give thanks to [singing and music] thee, oh Lord, among [music] 24:43 the people. I will sing [singing] praises [music] to thee among the nations. >> [singing] [music] >> For thy steadfast love 25:01 is great, [music and singing] is great to the >> [singing] >> heavens, >> [music] >> and thy faithfulness, [singing] thy faithfulness [music] to the clouds. >> [chanting] >> Be [music] exalted, [singing] 25:25 oh God, above the heavens. [singing] >> [music] >> Let thy glory [singing] be over all the [music] earth. Be [music] 25:45 [singing] exalted, oh God, >> [singing] >> above the heavens. >> [music] >> Let thy glory. Let thy [singing] glory. >> [music] 26:03 >> Let thy [singing] glory. Let thy glory [singing] be over all the earth. >> [music] >> Be [music] exalted, [singing] 26:25 oh God, above the heavens. Let thy [singing] glory be over >> [singing] >> all the earth. As we remain standing, shall we bow our 27:18 heads in prayer. In the presence of the Lord, there is 27:50 fullness of joy. There's a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, 28:16 no enemy can come near. A place of safety and refuge for his children. As the Lord is enthroned upon the praises of his people. The Lord is great 28:38 and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount 28:56 Zion, the city city of the great king. We just sang, be exalted, oh God, 29:20 above the heavens. Let thy glory be over all the earth. Be exalted, oh God, above the heavens. I will give thanks to thee among the people 29:39 and sing praises to thee among the nations. For thy steadfast love is great and is great to the heavens. And thy faithfulness to the clouds. How blessed is he who considers the 30:09 helpless. The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. The Lord will protect him and keep him alive. And he shall be called blessed upon the earth. And do not give him over to the desire 30:28 of his enemies. The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed. In his illness, God will restore him to health. By this I know 30:45 that you are pleased with me because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. As for me, you uphold me in my integrity. You do set me 31:05 in thy presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen. Our heavenly Father, we 31:25 come before your throne this morning with cleansed heart because of what you have done after our confession and faith in you. Lord, you have washed us clean and made 31:45 us your children and placed your Holy Spirit in us that we are not orphans here on this earth, but that we can call you our Father. We thank you, our heavenly Father, who 32:02 art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on this earth as it is being done in heaven. For thine is the kingdom, the glory, and the power 32:21 now and forevermore. We bless you, Lord, along with all the hosts of heaven this morning. And we lift up our voices and we give it thanks and praise for all that you have done for us, Lord. 32:39 Let's take this opportunity, brothers and sisters. Open your mouths. Give thanks and praise to the Lord. He is enthroned upon the praises of his people. The devil is defeated. Jesus is the conqueror. 32:57 Satan is being crushed under our feet. He has already been defeated on Calvary. God is our Father, the Spirit our helper, and Satan is crushed under our feet. He has no power over 33:16 God's children. God protects us in our going out and coming in. He is with us. God Emmanuel He is with us forever. Who said, 33:34 "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the ages." Father, we thank you for this opportunity that you have given to us to come together and worship you and thank you and praise you corporately. 33:54 We bless your holy name. Lord Jesus, even this morning as we come with expectancy, we pray that you will speak to us, that you will break the bread of life for each one of us, 34:12 that you will anoint your servants, you will fill them with the Holy Spirit, that you will give us the word that each one of us needs, that none will go empty from here. Lord Jesus, we pray that you will take your rightful place, 34:29 you will be glorified and honored and praised and adored and worshipped. Thank you for this time. Lord Jesus, we bless you in your name. Amen. Amen. 34:48 Please take your seats. We will look at our memory verse. Last week it was a command from Isaiah 30:15. Let's say it together. Isaiah chapter 30:15. In repentance and rest, 35:10 you will be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength. And today we have a promise from Zechariah chapter 8:13. I will save you 35:31 that you may become a blessing. Do not fear. Let your hands be strong. That's the promise that God has given to us this week from Isaiah chapter 8:13. 35:50 Sorry, from Zechariah chapter 8:13. I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear. Let your hands be strong. 36:10 And even in Isaiah, many times the Lord says, "Do not fear, for I am with you. I will help you. I will strengthen you. I will go ahead of you." Let's remember that. It's the Lord who will bless us and make us a blessing. 36:29 And he will want us to live without fear and be strong. So, this morning we will hear God's word from brother John Pereira first, then afterwards we will hear from other brother. 36:47 Thank you. It's a privilege 37:08 to >> [clears throat] >> come together like this and to hear God's word. >> [clears throat] >> We are weak. We are helpless. That's the reason we have come. We are weak, 37:25 helpless, imperfect. Like I was thinking when brother Charles referred the wrong book. We are all weak. We need one another. >> [clears throat] >> I was very happy to hear many trying to correct. We need 37:44 um one another. See, um what excites Jesus? If Jesus were here, um if Jesus wants to speak to us, what he would speak. We should 38:01 realize means like we should apply our imagination and we should try to hear what Jesus is trying to speak to us. That's very, very important. What really Jesus is focusing on. Um like when Jesus looks at this whole earth, 38:21 what he is really burdened about. Um I would like to read a verse in John chapter 15. If we were not helpless, we wouldn't have come 38:39 to the church. Also, we wouldn't have been born again, also. John chapter 15 verse 11. "These things I have spoken to you so that my joy 38:58 may be in you and your joy may be made full." See, Jesus is burdened to each one of us that we will have the joy. The rest we spoke about. 39:16 Brother Charles mentioning the rest. So, Jesus wants to give us rest. Jesus wants to uh wants all of us to have joy. How this joy will come? How this joy can be restored in our heart? 39:34 Where the joy is found? Is the joy and peace found in the world? Not really. The joy which Jesus spoke about which Jesus manifested, the peace which Jesus spoke about and he manifested, that's not in the world. So, that's why Jesus himself said, "I am 39:54 the way, I am the truth, I am the life." So, we'll see some verses where uh we can understand what Jesus is burdened about. Uh these things I have spoken to you so that you may have joy may be in you and 40:13 and that your joy may be made full. The verse 10 he said, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love." He's saying how to abide in his love. That is by keeping his commands. Because 40:31 uh he's saying, "Just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love." See, he's saying something that what how to cultivate our life, like how to build our life on. 40:49 Because if I see Matthew chapter 16, Matthew chapter 16 verse 17, he said, um he's commanding Peter. In fact, verse 16, Peter said, "You are the Christ, 41:08 the son of the living God." It's a revelation which Peter got. The revelation given by God to him. Jesus said, "You are the path of life. You are the source of joy. You are the source of peace. You are the source of life. 41:27 You are Christ. All human kind will find a way, a life, a truth in through you." That's what he is mentioning here. Jesus was so excited when he heard that. "Blessed are you, 41:46 Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are the Peter. Upon this rock I will build my church. And the gates of Hades will not 42:05 overpower it." See, this revelation you got got it right that oh yeah, I am the the source of life. You found out. This I'm the source of joy. But now you understood this. 42:22 Now I am going to build my church. I will build my church. See, now we all come here to hear the word of God, to fellowship, to sing to the Lord. You know, in the midst of this what's very important 42:39 that's Jesus in the form of Holy Spirit is present in us in in in the midst of us. So, Jesus' presence, God's presence is very important for us. That is what we should all yearn for or 42:57 or long for. If Jesus is not here, Jesus cannot build his church. In the midst of us, he is building our hearts and he's building his church. He is qualifying us like we heard Charles saying 43:16 in confession, in repentance, in faith, we are born again. Who who did that? God did that. God has opened our eyes to see the kingdom of God. That is the church. God Jesus is building the church. We are 43:35 able to see where Paul Peter says that Peter got a revelation. God, you are the Christ. Then Jesus says, "I am going to build the church." And he started with disciples little by little. Then what is the mark that um I'm in the church? 43:55 Or what is the mark of the church which Jesus is building? Jesus himself said, "The gates of Hades will not have power over it." That is the ultimate goal. For that we all will be tested. Then let's turn to Matthew chapter 18. 44:14 Matthew chapter 18 verse 18. Truly I say to you, "Whatever you bind on the earth shall have been bound in heaven. And whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosen in heaven." See, 44:33 he's saying this. Oh, this is the church. If you are in the church, you have my authority. If you are in the church, if your conscience is clear, if you are in the church which Jesus is building, 44:51 you have authority. You have power. I will give you power. We'll later on see that. We see that we are the body of Christ. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be 45:11 done for them by my father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst." What is in in his name? What is the name name of Jesus mean to us? 45:30 For Paul Peter, "Oh, you are the son of God, Christ." And Matthew 1:21 says that his name the um angel disclosed that his name will be Jesus. The one who saves his people from their sin. 45:48 See, the thing is this is what Jesus is building. The he is gathering people who have a right attitude to sin. What is sin? Sin is something which comes between me and God. Whatever disturbs or obstructs my relationship with God is 46:07 sin. No matter whatever it is. Whatever comes between me and God blocks my relationship. That is sin. So, Jesus means I am against all that obstruction. 46:25 That is sin. I I don't want anything. Jesus went on to explain in Matthew 5 6 7 many things. So, pray for those who persecute you. That means I must have a right attitude to one persecutes me. I must realize that the one who 46:40 persecutes me is sent by God. God is testing me. It's not that person, that situation, or even Satan. God could have removed Satan, but God God allowed Satan. Why? To test us. So that we preserve our 46:58 heart right with God. That we have a right attitude against sin. So, here it says any people anybody who have a right attitude to sin. That means they come in the name of Jesus. Two or three come together, I'll be in their midst. See, this notion of oh 47:17 church, I'm going to church. No, I'm going to church. No, I am in the church. I'm supposed to be in the church. What Jesus is building is not the building. The this kind of a physical building. Not even a gathering. No, in we we can be here about 600 plus 47:35 people whatever. But who are in the church? The one who is gathered in the name of Jesus. That means um the right attitude to Jesus. That means uh I have a right attitude to sin and because I am eagerly uh 47:55 uh longing to have a relationship with God. That's what Jesus said, "My your joy may be full. See, I am joyful because I am keeping I love my father. I keep my keep keep his commands. And if you love and you keep commands, 48:11 you will have that relationship. So, ultimately that is what is happening in this world whole world. See, Jesus is building his people. That means his church. He is gathering people who have a right attitude, always longing to keep their 48:27 hearts right with God, and longing for have to have a relationship with God. Such people. See, how one can defile himself or in other words, how I can put myself out uh put myself out of this church? 48:45 You know, God is holding us. But I have a choice to make every day. I can make a choice. I can jump out of it. So, that is what we have to be careful about. So, here verse 15, "If your 49:02 brother sins, go and show him his fault in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But he does not listen to you, take uh one or two more with you so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses 49:21 every uh fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." See, here is a principle Jesus is saying. 49:40 We all have a chance to put myself ourselves out of the church. So, he is building the church. And whoever comes in his name and gather in his name and want to have a good relationship with God, yes, such people are built. Jesus is longing to build 49:58 such people. But if someone is that kind of a person who who is who doesn't want to listen to anyone and doesn't want to listen to God or to a brother and to the church and what he does, what happens to him? He is putting himself out of the church. 50:17 That can happen. See, that's why see, in this whole world what Jesus is interested is in his church. Jesus is building his church. Now, every day we have been tested. So, if we are weak and humble, we depend on one another. That's why we 50:34 need the church. We need a brother. We need brothers brotherhood. And we need one another to preserve ourselves. That that kind of a church Jesus is building. So, we need to recognize that. And one more verse I would like to read. 50:51 Matthew chapter 7. Jesus spoke many many words when he was there. Thank God it's all recorded. We have it in the book. If the book was not there, then I don't know what would have happened. 51:10 You wouldn't have known. We would have been deceived. See, Jesus, sorry, Satan is trying to picture God. In the whole world we see that. Satan has deceived people to believe something which is not true. 51:29 Which is not really what Jesus said. So, even in Christendom, people believe church means oh, it's a building, the place we go to. Oh, when we gather. No, not really. Church is I should qualify myself by keeping his principles. 51:49 I can get into the church. I I should remain in the church all the time of my life. It's not that I go to church. I should remain myself in the church. I should keep myself in the church of Jesus Christ. 52:05 So, when I take his name, that means I take sin seriously and preserve myself in the church. That is the reason where when we come together we encourage one another to have good relationship with God, deal with sin. And there are so 52:21 many defilements. Here was chapter 7 uh verse 14, Jesus said, So, the for the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it. So, this is a church Jesus is building. 52:40 The church has a a gate small and the way is narrow. And many come but few will find it. In our midst many are here. And I have to fight my battle. I have to say, Lord, uh am I 52:59 with you or are you with me, Lord? Am I with you? Is my heart right? Um many things can happen around me. Um temptations, somebody can misunderstand me or misquote me or so many things. Or somebody can fight with me. 53:19 Somebody ill-treats me. Persecutes me. But in the midst of all that, uh Jesus is our example. Jesus says, I kept myself in my father. I I kept that relationship. So, if you keep your relationship right, 53:38 your heart right, you will be in the church. If you don't keep your heart right, you put yourself outside the church. That's why he made it narrow. That means See, Jesus is not saying, oh, everybody can come. See, we we can like many 53:55 churches reduce their standards of Christian principles. Like brother Zach, um many many godly brothers have fought to keep the standard in the church. What is that? No, keep ourselves from the defilement. It's like a hospital 54:12 fighting their best to keep the infections out of the hospital so that people will be restored to health. Exactly like that many over the years, that's the responsibility of the church, not only elders, all of us. See, like 54:27 how if I don't preserve myself, I'm outside the church and then how can I help others? I have to preserve myself in the church. I have to preserve my relationship with God. Then only I can help somebody. If I am in fact I'm infected, 54:44 then what I what I'll end up doing, I start infecting others. See, like grumbling, complaining. Grumbling, complaining is the outcome of unbelief. That we think that God is not there or things are not okay, this is not okay, 55:01 that is not okay. Paul speaks in uh Philippians 2. Philippians 4 he says, I have learnt to be content. I don't want to grumble and complain. See, these are the infections. If you don't take care, then what happens? I myself would myself out of outside the 55:18 church, outside the body. So, this is what I'm thinking. That Jesus is so concerned that he is building this church and there are principles which we need to know. So, I would like to turn to Matthew chapter 28. Where Jesus was saying 55:35 something very interesting here. The church is not just any random thing. A church is just something we just go and gather, we have a good time. No, no, no. What is church? Jesus is saying here, all authority has been given to me 55:52 in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples in all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit. That means make a make a clear statement that they are cut off from this world and they are 56:10 baptized. They are immersed in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. That is their identity. And teaching them to observe all that I commanded you and lo, I am I will be with you always even to the end of the age. That 56:25 means to the end of the age the church will remain. Means I should remain and I should be in the church. I'll Jesus is saying that I'll be with you. So, we want Jesus to be with us. See, in the if we are cooperating with 56:40 Jesus, with what he's building, we are cooperating by yielding our will and our hearts to him. Then we will have rest. Then we will have the joy. Then we will have that peace, peaceful relationship with God. Then we are built into the church. Then 56:59 when we come together, we can encourage one another and strengthen. But the goal is that to preserve ourselves in the church where Jesus is building. The church which Jesus is building. Then he says, all authority has been given to 57:14 me. That is the main focus. When I was saying that Jesus is looking from heaven this earth, he is concerned how my church is getting built. Who are all cooperating with the Holy Spirit to be built into my body? That's what 57:31 I think one more principle I was thinking. Mark chapter 10. What is the church like for Jesus? What is the church like? Um Mark 10. Yeah, 42. Calling them to himself, Jesus 57:51 said to them, you know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great men exercise authority over them. See, he's describe describing oh, what 58:07 is the world? World they have lord, Gentiles have a lord over them and they lord it over them. They have rulers. That is the principle of the world. But when it comes to church, verse 43, but it is not this way among you. 58:24 But whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant. This is the principle of the church which Jesus is building. So, who what what is the principle? Whoever wishes to become great among you, who is the great here 58:42 among you shall be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave to all. See, this is the heart of Jesus. This is what Jesus is building. For even the Son of Man did not come to 58:59 be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. That's why we See, like uh uh Jesus spoke from heaven to Paul. Paul, you are persecuting me. Jesus said that. Paul, you are persecuting Paul asked, 59:18 Lord, where where am I persecuting you? Who are you? I'm Jesus. Then you are in heaven. In that case, how how how am I persecuting you? Jesus said, no, you're persecuting my church. My church is my body. The each one of us one are precious to 59:38 me. If you do anything to them, you are hurting me. You It pains me. See that See, Paul spoke 1 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke about um church as a body of Christ. See, like we think about Oh, we are building a family. 59:58 CFC family, church family. But how do I know that I am in the church family? It hurts me when something is hurting Jesus. If something is hurting Jesus, it hurts me. If I am in the family, you know, I feel 1:00:17 the pain. I If I if I don't know what's happening in the church, then I am not in the family or I am not in the body. Jesus is saying that I am That is my body. You cannot play with it. You You cannot um 1:00:37 You cannot hurt. If you hurt, you cannot imagine that Oh, I'm not hurting Jesus. No, you are hurting me. I get hurt. They are precious to me. They are my body. See, like even in this finger, a small finger, it's a very small member. 1:00:53 It hurts. The whole body suffers the pain. That is the church Jesus is building. If someone says, "Oh, I'm part of this church, but I don't know what's happening here." Why? What is fellowship? Fellowship is I get to know a brother or a sister. 1:01:12 I have fellowship. I speak to them. I get to know what is happening in their life. Not in mainly earthly things, their relationship with God. Are they struggling? Um one sister may say, um brother Sorry, maybe she can speak to 1:01:29 another sister and say that I am struggling with my husband. Which are the areas you are struggling? How to handle? There are wise sisters can help another sister to restore their relationship with God. They give them wisdom. 1:01:45 If they don't even have uh desire for fellowship, get to know them. How will they know uh their condition? And how will they help them? But Jesus is interested. He Maybe many come as a visitors and go. They are visitors. They are not the 1:02:05 family member. They are not in the body. If they are not in the body, see, for example, I have told brothers uh like uh if I am gone to some town where there's there is no CFC. No, I don't keep quiet. I look for somewhere where 1:02:21 some brothers are there. Somebody who is saved, who are in the body of Christ, who are in the church. I look for them. I go and help them or talk to them. Maybe I I can receive something, encouragement. Maybe he needs an encouragement. See, that should be 1:02:40 the goal. It's not I attended meeting, I heard the message, I sang songs. That's not the end of it. The goal is Jesus is building his church. Am I part of that building or in the process of building or am I 1:02:57 being used by Jesus to build the church? Encourage the church. Maybe somebody needs a rebuke, somebody needs challenge, encouragement. See, that is what Jesus is building. He is saying here that uh you should have a servant attitude. 1:03:15 If you are don't have my spirit, then you are not You You will not be able to be built into the body of Christ or into the church. See, that's what Jesus was trying to say. John chapter 2. We We need to understand that if if I 1:03:32 don't abide with Jesus' mind, then I I cannot be built into the church. John chapter 2 verse 23. He was in Jerusalem at the Passover during the feast feast. Many believed in 1:03:50 his name. See, the thing is they People think that Oh, I believe in Jesus. I believe in Jesus. Oh, then they assume that I'm in the church. Just believing they are in the church. I believe Jesus can do miracle. What I get out of this? What benefit I 1:04:09 get from coming by coming here? The The such kind of people. They saw what they believed because they believed in his name observing his signs which he was doing. See, they they they wanted to see something 1:04:28 what benefits them. And they say they thought that they believed in his name, but they didn't know what that means. Believing in his name means I must have a right attitude to sin. And I should have a longing. Jesus, I want you to save me from sin. 1:04:44 My goal is to be saved from sin. Sin, as I explained, whatever obstructs or disturbs my relationship with God. Anything which disturbs. Lord, I want to be free from that. That is the trusting in his name. But they didn't 1:05:02 have understanding. They came just because they could receive something. But Jesus, on his part, was not trusting the entrusting himself to them. Jesus said, "No, I I can't. You can't be in me or I can't be in you. It's That's not the spirit I I have come 1:05:20 with. I have come to uh sacrifice, to serve, and give myself so that this body which is getting built, this church which is getting built, ultimately taken up and which will 1:05:38 bring glory and honor to the Father. But Jesus said, "I will not give myself." Because he knew their heart. Even today we are sitting all sitting here. You You all don't know my heart. I have to guard my heart. I have to be in inside the church which 1:05:57 Jesus is building. Oh, I can come to CFC. Coming to CFC, I really I don't have to be so careful about my heart. But to be built into the body of Christ or church which Jesus is building, I have to examine my heart. 1:06:15 Otherwise, I'll have a shock where Jesus said, "Many people come to me and say We did We preached in your name. We did miracle in your name." Jesus said, "I don't know you." See, that's the burden of Jesus. Even today, Jesus is building his church. The 1:06:33 See, maybe it's the end of time, the lot of persecutions may come and many things can go wrong in the world. Obviously, it it should happen. It will happen. But the thing is church of Jesus Christ is protected by Jesus himself. 1:06:52 God is so concerned. He is completely focused to protect his church. So, that church he is building, his own family. So, I was mentioning about Paul. Paul said, "I am not persecuting you." But Jesus said, "You are persecuting me." 1:07:09 And the you know the other side of it that if by hurting a brother in the church, if I can hurt Jesus, by serving another brother, I can serve Jesus. If I serve another sister, serve means 1:07:26 what? How do I serve? The main goal is Lord, help us to be in the church. Help preserve us inside the church. So, I can help another brother. Brother, these are the principle Jesus lived with. See, there we have so many things that 1:07:43 Satan is working even in Christendom trying to give different picture like health wealth gospel. That's a different picture of Jesus. That's not the Jesus. That's a different picture. I can encourage. No, no, no. Don't fall for that. 1:08:02 You You will defile yourself. You will You will be outside the church. Look at Jesus. How Jesus lived. How Paul lived. I'm really thankful that I'm pre- I'm preserved in the church because of what I have heard, the sound doctrines. And 1:08:16 maybe you can turn to Titus chapter 2. What is the true church? Titus chapter 2 verse 1. 1:08:37 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Then he goes on to explain. See, Paul is burdened. See, Titus, as for you, be careful. You preserve the church by speaking the sound doctrine. That means hygiene 1:08:56 doctrine. The don't get people defiled. Then they assume that they are in the church like the John 2 we read. People assume that Oh, I believe in Jesus' name. Oh, Jesus does this miracle, that miracle. Oh, okay. Despite of that, what 1:09:11 happened? Are you in the church? Are you in the body of Christ? May not be. So, that's why we we have a responsibility to protect ourselves. Paul told Timothy, 1 Timothy 4 verse 16, I think. He He says that, Timothy 1:09:28 by this you protect yourself and protect uh those who hear you. Save yourself and save those who hear you. That means you have to be in the body of Christ. You protect yourself. Uh then uh uh chap- 1:09:45 John Luke chapter 15, I was thinking. Luke chapter 15. Here um it's a picture where three lost people saved. The first was the lost uh 1:10:05 verse three, he's told a parable. What man among you, if he has he has 100 sheep, one sheep is missing. Ignorantly it's gone. Then Jesus See, Jesus is expressing his 1:10:24 burden. Yeah. He's saying that see, the thing is one sheep is lost um by ignorance. Then what the shepherd does? When uh when we say shepherd, it's not oh only elders. Oh, that's the elders' duty. No. Not elders' duty. 1:10:43 You know, in the body, that's how it works. See, the uh the finger has its responsibility. So, every organ has its own responsibility to protect other organs. Every organ is important, but every organ is working. There is no selfish 1:10:59 um even every cell is working selflessly. That is the body. That's how uh the Paul used that picture of the body. So, we are called body of Christ. That means every cell is never thinking about itself. So, the every cell is protected by other 1:11:17 cell, but that particular cell is not thinking about itself. Every organ is uh every organ is working towards the body and other organs are taking care of that organ. See, that's how it works. See, like skull protects the brain. 1:11:34 And but brain is not living for itself. Brain is living for the body. So, but here one sheep is lost. Such such things can happen around us. Are we aware? Something somebody is lost ignorantly. Here 1:11:51 the body works in such a way that see, the because uh elders will not know many things what is happening. See, there are brothers who are working here. God has given them the spirit of Jesus. So, the spirit of Jesus is working in 1:12:07 the brothers and sisters. They are praying and they are burdened, they are fellowshipping. I I come to know about somebody through some brothers, some sisters. How they know? Well, they are in touch. That's how the body is built. 1:12:21 Yeah. Then the shepherd goes after the sheep and gets the sheep. And here the second woman lost the coin. She lost it. It's something, some situation. But then she goes and searches and finds. 1:12:39 That's That's how she finds. That is restored to the body. Restored to the church. And then third one, this man he himself goes. There are people who go after on their own. Because they they feel uncomfortable to 1:12:58 be in the church or they're influenced by outsiders. Somewhere some wrong doctrine or something, they they go after it. But what What is the principle? Jesus said, let him come back. Let him come to his senses and come back on their own. See, 1:13:15 like that That's how Jesus is building the church here in our midst. Then one more verse I would like to read uh Romans chapter 8. See, these are the principles which we can understand how Jesus is building his church. Paul was also gripped by the 1:13:34 body of Christ. Um Romans chapter 8 verse 29, which is a well-known verse. Yes. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his son, so that he would be 1:13:52 the firstborn among many brothers. See, that means Jesus is the model and he is helping us all to become like himself that through the Holy Spirit. And the church is built like that. So, our goal is to become like Jesus. 1:14:12 See, like Peter understood that. Uh maybe verse 28 also I would like to read. Uh we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. What is his purpose? To 1:14:28 become like Jesus. That means I will be built into the body of Christ. I will be built into the church. So, I for that what what what's the responsibility? I must have a longing to uh [snorts] have the attitude of Jesus. 1:14:44 That's what uh Paul is trying to say. The Peter also says that. One 1 Peter 2:21 where Yeah, verse 21. For you have been called for this purpose since Christ also suffered for you leaving an example how 1:15:03 to be built into the church. Jesus has left an example. The what kind of example? Who committed no sin nor any deceit found in his mouth. While being reviled, he did not revile in return. While suffering, he uttered no threat, but 1:15:21 kept entrusting himself to the one who judges righteously. That That's how I will get built into the church. Uh I fight with my wife, I fight with my husband. Oh, he's like that, he's like this. My boss, my colleague, my 1:15:37 this and that. Is it all easily put you out of the church? Is it all putting All All these things are putting me out out of the church quickly, easily? No. Nothing, like Jesus said, the church I build, the 1:15:55 ladies will not have power over it. That means no matter what the circumstances, what the pressure or force, it cannot push me outside the body of Christ. Jesus endured. Jesus is our example. He says, no no 1:16:13 matter what happened, reviled or suffering, no matter whatever the situation, Jesus was built into Father's relationship. See, like that even today, see, many situations can push me out of the church, push me outside the body of 1:16:30 Christ. But if I have the fear and dependence on God, then we will be built up. Many times you see, if I have to tell you my own testimony, I've been in this church nearly about 30 years. So, I have been preserved and protected 1:16:48 by the body of Christ. Because I preserved myself in the church under the authority of the church and leadership. And I I When I have my own bright ideas, I have spoken to brother New brother Ian. I remember brother Ian saying, 1:17:04 "John, you are super spiritual." So, that means I have a strange idea. Thank God I went and discussed with brother Ian. He said, "No, it's bit strange. That's not the way." Then he showed me the scripture. Wow. I got protected. 1:17:22 It's not then. All through these 30 years, God has preserved me in his church, in his mercy. Even now, I have a tendency. I have my own like oh, I think this is right, I go. No. I put myself out of the church if I go on my own. 1:17:40 If I humble myself and seek um uh fellowship with the godly ones in the church, I'll be preserved. See, that's why in the quietness we get saved. God wants to save us. That means God wants to preserve us in the church with 1:17:59 Jesus is building. Coming to the meeting is only um Yes, uh extra See, if I have just oh, I have to go to the meeting or church meeting, church gathers on Sunday only. No, no, no, that's not the goal. The goal is am I in the 1:18:17 uh church or a body which Jesus is building? Then I will know Jesus' heart. Jesus knows my heart. And also I know who is getting built along with me. That's how I preserve myself. That's why we call this a family. The body may be the right word, but 1:18:36 family is a some level we can understand that uh I have an obligation to the family. That I'm getting built and leaders are laboring to build the church. We have so many sound doctrine hygiene teaching to preserve us in the 1:18:55 church. So, we we are obligated to um contribute. It's a great privilege. Ultimately, see, it's not that oh, one fine day I'll be taken to heaven. No. If I preserve myself in the church, the last day the church will be taken up. 1:19:13 Not that uh somebody randomly goes to church or goes to CFC. No, not really. Church will be lifted up. But what is my responsibility? It's not that one day I'll be taken up. No. Today, am I in the church? Am I built into this kind of church which Jesus is 1:19:29 building? Then, I will be taken up. May the Lord help us. We'll have a song. We'll sing "O Church Arise". 1:20:16 Put your armor on. O church arise and put your armor on. 1:20:43 Hear the call of Christ, our captain. O church [singing] arise, put your armor on. >> [music] >> Hear the call [singing] of Christ, our captain. For now [singing] the weak 1:21:02 >> [music] >> can say that they are strong in the strength that [singing] God has given. With shield [music] of faith and belt [singing] of truth, >> [music] >> we'll stand against the devil's >> [singing] 1:21:22 >> lies. An army bold >> [music] >> whose battle [singing] cry is love, reaching out [music] to those in darkness. Our [singing and music] call to war 1:21:40 to love the captive soul, but to [music] rage [singing] against the captor. And with the sword >> [music] >> that makes [singing] the wounded whole, we will fight with faith and [music and singing] valor. When faced with trials 1:22:03 on every [music] side, we [singing] know the outcome is victory. And Christ will have the price for [music and singing] which He died, and inherit tens of nations. [singing and music] Come see the cross [singing] 1:22:28 where love and mercy meet, >> [music] >> as the Son [singing] of God is stricken. Then see [music] His [singing] foes lie crushed beneath His [music] feet. For the [singing] conqueror 1:22:46 has risen. And >> [music and singing] >> as the stone is rolled away, and Christ [singing and music] emerges from the grave, His victory march continues [singing and music] 1:23:05 still today. Every eye and heart shall [music] see Him. Come, Spirit, [music] [singing] come, and strengthen every [music] stride. 1:23:21 Give praise for every [singing] hurdle, that we may run with faith to win the prize >> [music] >> of a servant [singing] good and faithful. As saints [music] of old 1:23:41 still line [singing] the way, retelling triumphs of >> [singing and music] >> His grace. We hear their words and humble for >> [singing and music] >> the day when with Christ we stand in glory. >> [music and singing] 1:24:01 >> And as the stone is rolled away, and Christ [singing and music] emerges from the grave, His victory [music and singing] march continues still today. Every eye [music and singing] 1:24:20 and heart shall see Him. Yeah, we want to hear from Brother 1:24:39 Shankar. Brother Shankar, can you please come? I thank God for what we heard in the context of 1:24:59 what we've been hearing about the church that Jesus is building and how I can be uh preserved I I myself can be preserved in it. You know, uh coming to this church or um being gathered in this church, it's not my own plan. 1:25:19 Or uh it says in Jeremiah chapter 3, Jeremiah chapter 3, verse 14, "I will take you one from a city 1:25:38 and two from a family and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will feed you knowledge and understanding." You know, we all God brought us from different backgrounds and different circumstances, different 1:25:58 upbringings. And we all have different temperaments, but you know, the Lord is gathered. It's not my own plan that one day, "Okay, I'm going to attend this church and then I'll be part of the church." No. It's not my own plan, but 1:26:13 it's the Lord who's building the church. So, why? Because uh it says in Ephesians uh chapter 3, Ephesians chapter 3, verse 9 and 10, 1:26:31 it says, "To bring light what is the administration of the ministry mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made 1:26:49 known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places." You know, the Lord Jesus Christ has hidden this mystery for very long time. But now he wanted to 1:27:05 show this manifold wisdom of God through the church to the rulers, not to this world leaders or how the church is so great and all that. But he want to show this manifold wisdom. What is this manifold wisdom? You know, we can read from the chapter 1:27:23 beginning. It's about the Jews and Gentiles. Of course, there it is mentioned, but here we can think of we all from different states and different culture. So, God God wants to unite us and transform us into one body. Into 1:27:43 uh he want to build us into his one body. So, and in the in the Old Testament, God can only point out to Job, "Okay, here is the man who's upright." But now God is pointing out, "Okay, here is the church." 1:28:02 So, through church, God is proclaiming this manifold wisdom to these rulers where Satan, you know, is thinking he want to accuse, but now God is saying, "See, I'm building the church. There is no strife. There is no offensing or there is no 1:28:21 uh any of such spirit. But uh there is a oneness. So, that is what to that is what the Lord wants to, you know, uh proclaim. So, I believe and trust that the Lord is going to do that in coming days, 1:28:40 especially, you know, each one of us God has a unique plan bringing us here. It's uh His plan that He want to uh establish each one of us in His church 1:28:57 and fulfill His plans in our lives. And we I remember many times uh in the initial days of my CFC, uh Brother Zach and Rian used to mention when somebody asked uh "I want to join your church." Then 1:29:15 Brother Zach mentioned about, "Okay, we are a bunch of people who are fed up of our self. Um we want the inner reality, so that's why we are gathering. If you are fed up of yourself and yourself sin and your inner life and outer life is 1:29:32 not matching, then you come and join us. But if you are fed up with some church, you may fed up with us as well and soon leave this church. Right. So that's what Lord uh what is my heart's condition? So today uh maybe when I come to the Lord initially, 1:29:51 okay, I'm in that spirit, but today am I continuing in that spirit or okay, uh I have some complaints or somebody did not laugh at me or somebody did not smile at me or somebody spoke to me like this or somebody did not spoke to me 1:30:06 like this. So all these things if I have then I'll be soon away from the church. So that's what the uh warning that came to me even recent past. Uh every now and then when I think about uh those things I was getting this warning. 1:30:25 And um another thing the Lord is doing uh in in his church uh we can turn with me to Zechariah Zechariah chapter 2 1:30:45 verse 5. >> [clears throat] >> For I declares the Lord will be a wall of fire around her and I'll be the glory in her midst. You know, the Lord wants to be in our midst 1:31:04 while building his church and um he want to be the wall of fire. You know, so the fire symbolizes the purification process. You know, so the Lord wants to purify us as an end present himself a blameless and without spot or wrinkle. 1:31:24 And uh another thing we can uh read from Zephaniah chapter 3 verse 12. It says but I will leave you among you a humble 1:31:43 and lowly people. And they will take refuge in the name of the Lord. So what the Lord is saying is in the church there is the last days there is a remnant the church. There there will be a people who are humble and lowly. Don't think of 1:32:01 themselves as a big and all that, but those who are humble so I want to leave among in the church. So what it says is like that means those who are not humble they will not be there. So those who are not lowly they will not 1:32:20 be there. So um and and also I was thinking about Zephaniah chapter 1 verse 12. Zephaniah chapter 1:32:39 1 verse 12. It says it will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps and I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit who say in their hearts the Lord will not do good or evil. 1:32:59 You know, um I was reminded of um many times brother Zach brother Ian mentioned about uh phrase a chair warmers. You know, when I heard that phrase for the first time I used to uh think and I used to laugh that okay, 1:33:16 this church warmers is not meant for me because I'm just coming newly because what he meant was many people are coming over the years, but there is no growth in them uh 10 years, 20 years and all that he was mentioning and then he mentioned 1:33:30 this phrase. I was thinking my heart and I was laughing, okay, this is not for me. But recent past that's the question that coming to my heart. Lord is asking me, are you a church chair warmer in the church? It's been so many years. 1:33:45 Are you growing in me? Are you being built into the church? You know, in fact Jesus also is mentioned in chapter Luke uh Gospel of Luke chapter 13 1:34:11 Luke chapter 13 verse um uh 6 to 9 and he began telling this parable. A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard. And he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And when he said to the vineyard keeper, 1:34:29 "Look for Look for 3 years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down. Why does it even use up the ground?" But he answered and said to him, "Sir leave it alone for this year, too 1:34:47 until I dig around it and put it in fertilizer and if it bears fruit next year fine. But if not, cut it down." So this came to be a great warning for me like uh am I uh bearing the fruit? You know, especially this parable is 1:35:06 mentioned in terms of uh fruit of repentance. Am I turning to the Lord uh when I go away or I'm just carry on with my own things thinking that I'm in the church. I will get a big surprise. So the only thing that I can be 1:35:24 preserved in the church is abiding in him as Jesus mentioned in John chapter 15, "Abide in me." That's what he said. The father is vine dresser. Abide in me. So I often get this picture of you know, how the church is building. You know, it's a 1:35:42 building which is under construction. So when you see in a construction site there are pile of bricks which are lying down there. But as long as I remain remain as a pile of brick and there is a greater chances that I'll 1:35:58 be stolen and lost. But when the builder takes that brick, place it one by one, you know, you see the walls. How the wall is the wall is being constructed with with a lot of bricks. But being in that wall, I don't have a 1:36:12 freedom. I don't have whatever I want to do. But I'll be preserved. I'll be protected. So there there is a brick underneath me which is supporting me and there are bricks which are this side and the left and right hand side which is 1:36:27 uh helping me to be in study faith. And then but at the same time there is a brick which is above me which I have to give uh helping hand. So uh so this is the place it may not be comfortable, but but this is the place 1:36:46 I'll be uh preserved and protected. May the Lord help each one of us. Amen. Let's respond to the word which we heard. 1:37:06 >> [clears throat] >> The Lord has a burden. We should have a longing to hear him saying to us personally the words what he wants to speak to us. He speaks 1:37:22 with love. He never condemns anyone. The Lord wants to encourage us, challenge us help us to see our own need and condition so that we'll be in him built into his body 1:37:42 and his church. Father, we thank you Father for the example of Jesus. The words which we heard impress that into our heart so that we will be built up into your body the church, Lord. 1:38:01 We pray Father uh that you will encourage us, strengthen us, Lord. Thank you, Father for hearing us in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Brother Thavasilan uh and family they are here. We are happy to have them. And brother Thavasilan is one of the 1:38:21 elders in Chennai church. Um brother Thavasilan if you don't mind if you kindly come and share yeah, what is in your heart the word of greeting. And brother Polo will be translating. Brother Brother we if you can come forward, 1:38:38 yeah. You are here. Brother Polo will be translating it into English. Brother Thavasilan I know him for many years. He's a wonderful brother. I am very happy to be with this with him. Chennai sabai 1:39:07 You want to greet on behalf of the Chennai church. Ottum the voice of the Nana >> Came from a different religion and I came to know the truth at the age of 19. After 2 years 1:39:29 God brought me to Christian Fellowship Church. Used to come regularly for the conference that used to happen in the Christian Church and every time my heart would rejoice. 1:39:46 God is silently planning for you in love. I would say it's reserved for you. You know we are not to disturb them and we are encouraged by them. Exactly what encouraged in those days Zephaniah 3:17 that God is silently planning for you in 1:40:03 love and that this is reserved for you. So don't be discouraged. That's the situation that I grew up. There's nobody to encourage or comfort 1:40:21 or give a word of hope. I was so much rejoiced. 1:40:40 This is something [clears throat] that I heard from the exact first time that God has given us you know sonship that we can cry out Abba Father. When I heard that for the first time I was so thrilled. The God who created the whole universe 1:40:59 is my father and your father. What a great strength it is. I've been in this church for 30 years after 35 years after I heard that truth. I've never been disturbed or never been 1:41:18 shaken. During the lockdown times [clears throat] more than many sparrows you are precious is what sister Annie shared and that 1:41:35 gave me so much of encouragement. Church is like a home. So parents there 1:41:58 in the home know whom to encourage, whom to correct. So always I've seen like this the church as a home. The parents they knew what to do and they encourage us. Our heavenly father knew what to speak 1:42:18 to us and what word would encourage us and that's how our father encourages us. Even today I thank God for the word I heard. Matthew 16 1:42:36 heard from there. >> [clears throat] >> Simon Peter responded saying you are 1:42:55 Christ. Verse 16 and 17 Simon Peter answered you are Christ the son of the living God. Verse 17 and Jesus said to him, "Blessed 1:43:14 are you Simon because the flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my father who is in heaven." We all have such a privilege today. Only the father in heaven has revealed 1:43:38 such a revelation about the church today. Verse 18 I also say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock I'll build my 1:43:56 church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Upon this rock the small stone 1:44:25 you know God said I will build my church and instead of Peter I put my name. God knew my situations, how I'm going to be reacting, all my limitations and said upon this rock or stone I will build God has selected each one of us like 1:44:48 brother Shankar mentioned. God knew that Peter is going to fall down and you know all his situation that's going to happen and and deny 1:45:08 Jesus. Knowing that Jesus said I will build my church. Peter denied Jesus. John 21 When Jesus had an encounter with Peter 1:45:32 again. Verse 15 Jesus said to Simon Peter, 1:45:53 "Simon son of John, do you love me more than this?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." And he said to him, "Tend my lambs." God knew everything about us A to Z and 1:46:12 knowing all that he he has picked us, selected us. Verse 17 he said to him the third time, 1:46:40 "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things and you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." 1:47:06 God knew the limitations of the small stone and how the stone would fall but even knowing that he said I will build the church upon this rock. That's how he has selected all of us. All that God needs is a needs is a 1:47:25 broken heart, a heart that loves him. He is the Jesus Christ is the head of the church that he's building. I may be a little finger in the church 1:47:50 that that body that he is building. I need to be you know grateful and be content about this. This little finger if there's a scratch it can help in there. If I do that in 1:48:07 the church that's that's enough. I asked the Lord, "Lord, what is my mission and vision for my Christian life?" I asked the Lord, "Lord, why did you 1:48:25 pick me alone from my village?" Philippians 2 That's what the Lord told me. I know the verse number. Verse 5 1:48:47 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Although he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing 1:49:06 to be grasped but emptied himself taking the form of bond servant. And being made in the likeness of men, being found in the appearance of a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient 1:49:25 to the point of death, even death on the cross. When I was saved and and you know, I was 1:49:44 looking for which church to go, which truth to follow. I'm really grateful to God that God led me here to listen to this truth. I learn with this verse. Isaiah 54:10. God has encouraged me with these words 1:50:07 whenever I fall or discouraged. 54:10. For the mountains may be removed and the 1:50:27 hills may shake, but my loving kindness will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Even the Mount Himalayas, it may move. My loving kindness will not be removed 1:51:04 from you. Covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Another thing that the Lord told me in 1:51:31 this context is more you come to know others, the more you will know their weaknesses and shortcomings and that's an opportunity for you to love them more. On the other hand, if you just keep loving those who love you, you're not 1:51:49 doing anything special. To the extent that you obey me and listen to me, to that extent I will give 1:52:07 you authority in the church or at home. So, I'm really grateful to God for the elders and the fathers that God has given me. I'm grateful to the Bangalore church who 1:52:31 have nourished us and over the years have watered us. Thank you. Thank you. We'll have the announcements. An app 1:53:00 with its [music] thoughtfully designed interface, the app offers a reimagined experience [music] to make your Bible study even more convenient. The app features seven Bible studies. The studies [music] range from foundational truths to intensely 1:53:18 practical in-depth studies. Got some burning questions on your mind? Explore the question and answer section where Zac Poonen answers [music] over around 1,000 questions on a wide range of topics. Are you seeking [music] to understand 1:53:37 the Bible in a deeper way? The Bible study challenge is a feature that is designed to help [music] you with that. Whether you're interested to deepen your Christian walk or >> [music] >> you're someone new to the faith, 1:53:54 the Bible study with Zac Poonen app is a perfect [music] companion to help you on this journey.
