Issue No.017 May 04 2006 Appreciate Diversity ; New wave of persecution; Summer Special
Posted by: gracepeaceu <gracepeaceu@...>
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An e-periodical for spiritual enlightenment,
edification and encouragement Issue No.017 May 04 2006
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In this issue:-
Perspective:- Appreciate Diversity
Worthy quote:- Consensus
Study Note:- The casting of the sockets.
Sermon Out l Consider Christ
Anecdote:- Give yourself
News & Views:- 1 New wave of persecution in India
News & Views:-2 Summer Special ministries
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Perspective:- Appreciate Diversity
"Please pray for me, I can't get along with my colleagues." It was a special prayer request made by a young brother. He added further, "In the church too I can't cope with others." It is a problem many face often, as they try to adjust with various types of people.
In any sphere of life we need to appreciate and acknowledge the diversity in unity. We are one yet many. In the society, family, workplace or church, never forget our dissimilar background. Each one has a distinct life style, talent, and gift. The way one speaks, act and think are different from each other. We can never expect somebody, even family members, to behave exactly like us. Forcing somebody to simply imitate us will only bring trouble.
Paul deals with this in detail in 1Cor.12. In the body of Christ there are many members. We all are different in our gift, role and position in the Church. Each one is unique and separate. Paul says God has done it in His own sovereign will.
V.18. We ought to accept one another as they are and help them to find fulfilment in their God-given gift and role. If all the members of the body function in the same manner what a tragedy it would be! The beauty and the health of the body lie with the balanced and faithful functioning of each member.
Intolerance for others distinctive individuality will only make us miserable! Such attitude will never help the church or society. On the contrary if we joyfully accept, appreciate and encourage one another as they are, there is mutual joy, encouragement and edification.
Finally, not to forget the basis of a Christian's unity in diversity. Though we are varied in many ways, we have been joined together in the body of Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit. So yielding to the Spirit of God and holding on Christ- the head of the Church- is imperative for maintaining mutual unity and fellowship.
N.T.K
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Worthy quote:- Consensus
"Consensus gives strength." Latin Proverb
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Study Note:- The casting of the sockets.
We have seen that the pillars of the fencing of the tabernacle stood in the sockets of brass which typifies the Lord Jesus Christ who went through all the sufferings.
The sockets were cast, and to do this the bronze had to be subjected to extreme heat sufficiently severe to melt the metal so that it would pour like water into the mould. This emphasizes the terrible nature of the fierce wrath of God, which the Lord Jesus bore when He hung on the cross. Before He died, He cried "It is finished", blessed words! The work was done to the eternal satisfaction of our righteous God, nothing remains to be done, all the judgment was borne, exhausted. What a socket in which to stand. "I am resting in the finished work of Christ!"As the socket of brass cut off the pillar from contact with the desert, so the death of Christ separates me from the world. I stand complete in Him, strong in His strength, "Perfect and complete, in all the will of God.
The bands of silver:
Around the tops and bottoms of the pillars were bands of silver, in which hooks were formed on four sides. To the hooks on the desert side, and the Tabernacle side chords were attached, and these were attached on the other end, to bronze pins that were driven into the desert. The pins or pegs were strong, and provided an anchor that would not move, and speak of God's power to keep.
The saints of the dispersion, to whom Peter wrote, had suffered much. All the wrath of the gates of Hades, and of Rome had been hurled against them, but Peter tells that they were "kept by the power of God through faith, unto salvation". I would suggest that the pegs represent the power and the chords the faith.
The hooks on the other sides were to receive silver rods, which united pillar to pillar, thus combining the strength of all, and providing a strong unyielding support, to which the linen sheets were then attached. The silver speaks of redemption; it was obtained when the people were numbered, when each had to pay the atonement money, a half shekel for each, rich or poor, young or old, high or low. This reminds us that the Lord Jesus paid the same price for each one of us. Peter tells that we have not been redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, ------ but with the precious blood of Christ, 1
Pet.1: 18-19. The communion of the blood of the Christ, along with the "unity of the Spirit"( 1 Cor. 10; 16 and chapter 12; 13) that unites the saints together, and combines their strength, leads them to support each other.
Charles Wigg
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Sermon Out line: - Consider Christ Heb.3:1
Fix your eyes on Christ, intently focus on Him.
Who is He?
a. The apostle: - God's representative to man.
b. The High Priest: - Man's representative to God.
Focus on both- the incarnation and the subsequent sufferings.
-the ascension and the preset work of Christ
What is the result?
1. Right path. 1Pet.2:21
2. New Truth. Matt.11:29
3. Encouragement. Heb.12:3
4. True Worship. Rev.1:14—17;
ch.4,5
5. Strength. Ps.16:8
6. New Glory. Ps.34:5
Most problems in Christian life is caused by poor focus upon the saviour. Matt.14:30.
N.T.K
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Anecdote:- Give yourself
A missionary tells the story that after he had preached the gospel and told the Indians about the love of God in giving His son to die for the poor lost sinners, the Indian Chief sent his servant to the missionary to ask if the Great Spirit(for that was how he spoke of God) would accept "poor Indian's blanket." "No", said the missionary, "God has no need of your blanket."
Then he sent again and asked if the Great Sprit would accept poor Indian's hunting do. "No", said the missionary. "God has no need of your hunting dog."So the Chief came himself and asked if the Great Sprit would accept poor Indian himself. "Yes", said the missionary, "God will indeed accept him, for He wants you."
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News & Views:- 1 New wave of persecution in India
It seems a new wave of persecution is slowly sweeping over various states of India. Apart from the normal attack by the religious fanatics, the law enforcing agents too are harassing Christians with false cases misusing the law and power.
In Rajasthan, Emmanuel mission had to face unparalleled sufferings from the hands of the authorities. They were treated like hard-core criminals. The brethren got bail only recently after spending around two months in the Jail.
Bihari Lal Benjamin reports from Dhakpathar , Uttaranchal that police personnel entered the church in between the worship meeting and stopped the service to question them and threatened to arrest them. In various other places false cases are framed against the Christian workers and put them behind bars.
It seems the enemy is changing the tactics and we need to aware of it and pray earnestly for the affected ones.
News & Views:-2 Summer Special ministries.
It is summer vacation in India and the Lord's people through out the land are making use of this opportunity for various special activities.
Bengal Bible Training Institute conducted a month long Summer Bible Studies for the youth of West Bengal, Jharkand and Bihar.
Borivli Assembly in Bombay conducted a two week special bible teaching program called 'ABC for Teens' for the youth of the city assemblies. A teachers training program for child evangelism is going on at present in Bombay with around 40 participants.
Bethel Christian assembly has taken the initiative for that. Carmel assembly Kalva is arranging a family camp for the believers in Maharahstra in Khandala near Lonaval from May 9 to 13. They expect around 400 believers from different part of Maharshatra , particularly villages to come together for fellowship and study of the word of God.
Pray that all these may bring glory to the Lord and result in the mutual edification and encouragement of the Lord's people.
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