SUNDAY THOUGHT -17

WORSHIPPING GOD IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION
Text: 2Thessalonians 1:3-12

Persecutions should not be a surprising thing for the church. It started when the church started. And it will continue as long as the church continues in the world. Sometimes it is mild. At other times it becomes severe giving the church botheration. But it is a reality. Waiting for persecution to stop permanently to do our Christian service is therefore stupidity. The worship of the church and other ministries has to continue amidst persecutions.

Recently, in some parts of our country, the people of God are threatened to the extent that some had to refrain from gathering on Sunday for worship. This is indeed alarming. For the children of God, any day and every day is a day of worship. But since the church gathers together for collective worship on Sunday, being the day of resurrection, it has significance. And it is at this occasion of the church's worship, most Christians commemorate the Lord's Table.

But what if our freedom of worship is affected by an anti-Christian act? How will we continue worshipping God? Is it a violation if on a Sunday the church did not (or could not) gather for worshipping God?

Christians coming together to worship on Sundays is a practice than an instruction in the New Testament. The N.T. does not command believers to meet together on Sunday being the day of resurrection. From the beginning of the church, the N.T. believers –mostly Jews- shifted the day of gathering for worship and fellowship from the seventh day (Sabbath) to the first day of the week(the resurrection day). This became the notable feature that distinguished Judaism from Christianity. And this practice is what the Christian church follows for the last twenty centuries. Whichever part of the world Christianity reached with significant influence, Sunday was separated for the worship and related ministries of the church. And no genuine reason can any one cite (or need to) for a change of the day for collective worship. So wherever possible and as long as we can the church must continue to gather on Sunday.

But due to any reason if our freedom for this is affected, we do not need to be panicking as if we will then go against the Scripture. It should be regarded more an emotional issue than a violation of any biblical instruction, since no instruction regarding the day of worship is given in the New Testament. Those who worship the father will worship Him in truth and in Spirit. Not in this place or that place or this day or that day! In this regard, we, the people of the church are unlike the people of Israel of the O.T. They had stipulated days and dates for religious activities and they needed to follow them without fail. Any failure would be considered as violation of divine instructions. But we do not have this problem today. If we are not able to gather together on a Sunday due to a genuine reason we do not go against the Scripture.

But does this mean then that any local church can decide to come together for worship any day? It should not be so. Though the practice of church gathering on the first day of the week is not the result of any divine instruction, it is a harmless, safe and an acceptable practice. As long as possible we may continue that practice instead of giving way to anarchy in the name of freedom or liberalism. But if a genuine threat from the anti-Christian elements force us to shift the day of worship of the church from Sunday to any other day it may be taken without guilt. If we are not willing for this even in the wake of threats and persecutions, it then means that we choose to suffer for it, which would not be spoken against.

The believers in Jesus Christ ought to worship God even in the midst of persecutions. The apostles, when threatened with consequences for preaching in the name of Jesus including other religious functions, they defied it and chose sufferings. Christians, in places where Christianity is regarded as against the Law, face persecutions for their faith in Christ and for attempting to worship God, willingly choosing suffering. Worship, personal and collective should be done even amidst persecutions.

As we prepare to worship God this week, let us who enjoy freedom (both physical and spiritual), thank God for it. May we remember our brothers and sisters who are not able to gather together for worship due to persecutions. Let us worship God who will grant us ultimate triumph against all threats and persecutions (2Thess. 1:6-7).


Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God
Joji George Abraham

Sunday Thought -16

Sunday Thought – 16
The Object of Our Worship

God is always triune. Christian believers know and believe that God is one but three persons are in the Godhead- the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence and substance but three as to the mode of existence and function is concerned. This concept of trinity is confusing to many minds. Often, people either reject or ignore this triune God concept.

We believe the doctrine of trinity primarily because that is how the Scripture presents God. Our position of the Scripture as the word of God settles our belief in trinity. But beyond this, the Scripture helps us with evidences for the Trinitarian Godhead. Only after the incarnation of the son of God, the second person of the trinity, the concept of a Trinitarian God would make sense to people’s minds. Hence, the monotheistic concept of the Jewish community before and after the coming of Jesus.


Now, since we know that there are three persons in the Godhead and all three are fully and equally God, the question is who then the object of our worship is? Both the Old and the New Testaments give us the idea that it is God the father, the first person of the trinity who is the direct object of our worship. Jesus stated “..…the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the FATHER in spirit and truth; for the father is seeking such to worship HIM” (Jn. 4:23). Paul says, “For this reason,..we do not cease to pray for you that you may…. give thanks to the father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” (Colo. 1:9, 12, 13).All the doxologies of Paul is in praise of the father (Romans 11:33-36; Eph. 1:3-14;3:14-15;1Tim. 6:15-16). Jude worships God the father in his doxology (v. 24-25). In the worship of the elders and the living creatures in heaven, the one who sits on the throne, the father who lives for ever is worshipped (Rev. 4:8-11;5:14). God’s angels call forth the inhabitant’s of the earth to worship God the father who made everything(Rev. 14:7) The kingdom rule of Jesus will culminate when Jesus submitting the kingdom to the father so that the father may be all in all (1Cor. 15:24-28). The Jewish community worshipped YAHWEH as their God. Even while Jesus was on the earth, devout Jews came to Jerusalem to worship the same Jehovah God only.


To the question who is the object of our worship then, we may answer ‘God’. This may be further clarified by saying, ‘God the Father’. Does that mean God the Son and God the Holy Spirit does not deserve worship? Never. Jesus himself received worship from people while on earth (John 20:28; Matt. 2:11; 8:2;;9:18;14:33;15:25;20:20;28:9,17;Lk. 24:52;Mk. 5:6;John 9:38;). God commands all His angels to worship His Son (Heb. 1:6).So it is not that Jesus deserve no worship or no one shall worship the Son; rather, it is God the Father, who is our object of Worship.

Christian believers today worship God the father by the help of the Holy Spirit due to the work of the Son. Any worshipper therefore is to exalt the Father through the Holy Spirit remembering the work of the Son. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension are the cause for a believer to approach God in worship today. What Jesus did is the means for us to worship God. This is why the Lord’s Table is so relevant in our worship of God. So, we use the means which Christ opened to come before God. And having come before Him we worship God, giving praises, honor and majesty to God. So reading or sharing or thinking about the death of Jesus alone does not make worship complete. Worship is more than doing any of these. Worship is not complete unless we ascribe praises, honor and glory to God the father. The worship of heaven models this aspect. The elders and the four living creatures did see and remember the slain lamb. And they ascribed glory honor and power to God the father, the one who is sitting on the throne for ever. The very sacrificial death of Jesus was to make a people for God to worship Him. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in man is to make a people worthy to worship God. The electing, predestinating, redeeming, forgiving and adopting God did to us is for the praise of the gory of His grace (Eph. 1:6, 14). Thus the perfect object of worship becomes God the father.


As we prepare for worship meeting this week, let us be reminded of the fact that God the father is the object of our worship. We worship Him by the help of the Spirit of God and exalting the Son of God.
Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham

“The Lord trieth the righteous.”
- Psalm 11:5
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God’s ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in his infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon his people’s faith that he will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.

Thou whom my soul loveth.”
- Song of Solomon 1:7
It is well to be able, without any “if” or “but,” to say of the Lord Jesus-”Thou whom my soul loveth.” Many can only say of Jesus that they hope they love him; they trust they love him; but only a poor and shallow experience will be content to stay here. No one ought to give any rest to his spirit till he feels quite sure about a matter of such vital importance. We ought not to be satisfied with a superficial hope that Jesus loves us, and with a bare trust that we love him. The old saints did not generally speak with “buts,” and “ifs,” and “hopes,” and “trusts,” but they spoke positively and plainly. “I know whom I have believed,” saith Paul. “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” saith Job. Get positive knowledge of your love of Jesus, and be not satisfied till you can speak of your interest in him as a reality, which you have made sure by having received the witness of the Holy Spirit, and his seal upon your soul by faith.
True love to Christ is in every case the Holy Spirit’s work, and must be wrought in the heart by him. He is the efficient cause of it; but the logical reason why we love Jesus lies in himself. Why do we love Jesus? Because he first loved us. Why do we love Jesus? Because he “gave himself for us.” We have life through his death; we have peace through his blood. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor. Why do we love Jesus? Because of the excellency of his person. We are filled with a sense of his beauty! an admiration of his charms! a consciousness of his infinite perfection! His greatness, goodness, and loveliness, in one resplendent ray, combine to enchant the soul till it is so ravished that it exclaims, “Yea, he is altogether lovely.” Blessed love this-a love which binds the heart with chains more soft than silk, and yet more firm than adamant!

John 4:48

“Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”
- John 4:48
A craving after marvels was a symptom of the sickly state of men’s minds in our Lord’s day; they refused solid nourishment, and pined after mere wonder. The gospel which they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles which Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Many nowadays must see signs and wonders, or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, “I must feel deep horror of soul, or I never will believe in Jesus.” But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never may? Will you go to hell out of spite against God, because he will not treat you like another? One has said to himself, “If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock of I know not what, then I would believe.” Thus you undeserving mortals dream that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at his gate, asking for mercy, and you must needs draw up rules and regulations as to how he shall give that mercy. Think you that he will submit to this? My Master is of a generous spirit, but he has a right royal heart, he spurns all dictation, and maintains his sovereignty of action. Why, dear reader, if such be your case, do you crave for signs and wonders? Is not the gospel its own sign and wonder? Is not this a miracle of miracles, that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish”? Surely that precious word, “Whosoever will, let him come and take the water of life freely” and that solemn promise, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out,” are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Saviour ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask proof of the veracity of One who cannot lie? The devils themselves declared him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust him?

Mark 1: 30

“But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.”
- Mark 1:30
Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious work upon one’s own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon’s house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient’s bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his patient ear.

Psalms 73:24

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
- Psalm 73:24
The Psalmist felt his need of divine guidance. He had just been discovering the foolishness of his own heart, and lest he should be constantly led astray by it, he resolved that God’s counsel should henceforth guide him. A sense of our own folly is a great step towards being wise, when it leads us to rely on the wisdom of the Lord. The blind man leans on his friend’s arm and reaches home in safety, and so would we give ourselves up implicitly to divine guidance, nothing doubting; assured that though we cannot see, it is always safe to trust the all-seeing God. “Thou shalt,” is a blessed expression of confidence. He was sure that the Lord would not decline the condescending task. There is a word for thee, O believer; rest thou in it. Be assured that thy God will be thy counsellor and friend; he shall guide thee; he will direct all thy ways. In his written Word thou hast this assurance in part fulfilled, for holy Scripture is his counsel to thee. Happy are we to have God’s Word always to guide us! What were the mariner without his compass? And what were the Christian without the Bible? This is the unerring chart, the map in which every shoal is described, and all the channels from the quicksands of destruction to the haven of salvation mapped and marked by one who knows all the way. Blessed be thou, O God, that we may trust thee to guide us now, and guide us even to the end! After this guidance through life, the Psalmist anticipates a divine reception at last-”and afterward receive me to glory.” What a thought for thee, believer! God himself will receive thee to glory-thee! Wandering, erring, straying, yet he will bring thee safe at last to glory! This is thy portion; live on it this day, and if perplexities should surround thee, go in the strength of this text straight to the throne.

Psalms 62.:8

“Trust in him at all times.”
- Psalm 62:8
Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God, who worketh hitherto, but in the devil, who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.
Let me commend to you a life of trust in God in temporal things. Trusting in God, you will not be compelled to mourn because you have used sinful means to grow rich. Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience. Trusting God, you will not be guilty of self-contradiction. He who trusts in craft, sails this way to-day, and that way the next, like a vessel tossed about by the fickle wind; but he that trusteth in the Lord is like a vessel propelled by steam, she cuts through the waves, defies the wind, and makes one bright silvery straightforward track to her destined haven. Be you a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom. Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus you will be delivered from anxious care, you will not be troubled with evil tidings, your heart will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. How pleasant to float along the stream of providence! There is no more blessed way of living than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care, for he careth for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.

Fwd: SUNDAY THOUGHT -15

SUNDAY THOUGHT -15
LORD'S TABLE IN WORSHIP

An integral element in the worship of the church is the celebration of
the Lord's Table. Worship as such is possible for a child of God at
any time. But when the church gather together, celebrating the Lord's
Table is necessary in order for the worship to be meaningful and
fulfilled. I believe, on the Lord's Day when the people of God gather
together for worship, exhortation, prayer and fellowship that is the
most beautiful occasion for celebrating the Lord's Table.

Luke in Acts testify that the early believers 'broke the bread' daily
in their houses (2:46). Later, as the church grew, the public
gathering of the church was settled on the first day of the week- the
resurrection day (cf. 20:7). It was at this gathering and on this day
they also 'broke bread' (a reference for the celebration of the Lord's
Table).

Regarding the question of practicing the Lord's Table in worship
meetings, there are two extremes to be avoided. One, as some would
argue, that it is not mandatory to observe the table of the Lord on
every Lord's Day, rather we have freedom to observe it once in a month
or even once in a year and on special days. Taking the inference from
Acts 20:6,7, which I consider as the model for the new testament
believers regarding the time for observing the Lord's Table, I would
say that a weekly observance of the Lord's table is the most
appropriate practice for a full fledged church.

The second extreme is the view that observing the Lord's Table itself
is worship or worship means celebrating the table of the Lord.
Observing the table of the Lord is not the whole worship. Rather, it
is an important element that helps our worship. It is as part of our
worship that we need to celebrate the table. When the church gather
together, our worship of God is based upon reasons which God himself
has given us. The foremost among those reasons is the death,
resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, remembering
the Lord's death, resurrection and ascension with a look forward to
his return by means of the Lord's Table is unavoidable at the time of
worship. Thus, the role of the Lord's Table is to motivate and
strengthen our worship.

The table of the Lord communicates numerous truths to us at the time
of our worship. Among them are the following important ones:
1. It tells us to have a look backward. To see who we were
without the grace and mercy of God. To see what difference the Love of
God brought to our life. To see the savior's death in our place in
order to make our relation possible with God.
2. It tells us to have a look inward. To see what result the
death of the Lord Jesus made within us. To see how the inward change
is wonderfully transforming us to live for and please God. To see how
do we maintain our fellowship with the Lord.
3. It tells us to have a look forward. To reassure our hope in
the Lord and His return for our complete redemption. That hope
purifies our life in the present. This look forward helps us to count
the present struggles of life as nothing.
4. It helps us to renew our commitment. To serve God in this
world. To count his interest important and to seek its accomplishment
in and through our life.
5. It burdens us to be His witnesses in this world. The Lord's
Table brings to our mind all the blessings of our salvation which will
be true in any one's life who accepts Jesus. We who enjoy them already
are to bear witness for them.
6. It tells us about our victory over the ultimate enemy, death.
The resurrection of our Lord, which we celebrate through the table,
gives us confidence over the reality of death. Death for us is not to
be a fearsome thought rather a fact that always tests our boldness.
7. It tells us about a day when our faith shall be sight. Till
he comes we ought to celebrate this Table. Each observance of the
table of the Lord is a reminder that he did not come yet, but will
come for sure. And on that day our faith shall become perfect.

Lord's Table is the Table that belongs to the Lord. It does belong to
no church. The Lord's people observing that on the Lord's Day, is
indeed beautiful. It plays an important role in our worship of God.
Due to the same, no worshipper of the Lord is to be prevented
forcefully from taking part of the table, even as disciplinary act, if
he or she has the confidence for it.

As we prepare to worship the Lord this week, let us keep the practice
of celebrating the Lord's Table. And remembering the truths it
communicates to us, may we offer our praises and worship to God.

Sunday thought is an attempt to encourage you to worship God in truth
and in Spirit. I plan to post this write up on every Friday evening.
Thank you for reading this. You may share this with others as the Lord
leads you. I would invite your response as well.

Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God
Joji George Abraham

SUNDAY THOUGHT-14

SUNDAY THOUGHT -14 SONGS AND MUSIC IN WORSHIP Text: Psalms 81:1-4 Imagine a world without songs and music; without singers and musicians…! What a dry place it would have been…! Agreed. But songs and music in the worship of the church…?! Singing with the accompaniment of music…?! "May it never be" is the thinking of some believers in Christ!? Should we have songs sung with music in the church worship? Is it sinful and displeasing to God? I would like to discuss this question in this article. Let me make my perspective on this - which I've developed from the scripture- clear at the very outset: We can use music and sing songs with the accompaniment of music in our worship meetings. And whenever possible, we should use them in our worship and even encourage people to use them. Music and songs were existing from the very beginning of human history. The first reference of music instruments (and for that matter, songs) we see in the very beginning chapters of Genesis (4:21) "Jabal's brother Jubal was the father of all those who play harp and lute". I can imagine the return journey of Abraham with Isaac from the mount of Moriah after 'sacrificing' Isaac and worshipping God. They must have been singing all the way back home! After they crossed over the Red sea, the Israelites started praising Jehovah by singing with music (Exodus 15:20, 21).David appointed in Israel singers and musicians to sing praises to God in their assemblies when gathered for worshipping God (1Chron. 15:26; 16:4, 5, 6). The psalms (which are songs themselves) abound in calls to worship and praise with songs and music. To state succinctly: God expect and appreciate his people singing songs of praises and that too with the accompaniment of music. Then why don't some among us, the believers, do not use good songs or music in worship services? The reasons range from the lack of good songs to lack of music instruments to ignorance to use music instruments. But a more strong reason is because some of us consider all music as Satanic or 'worldly' and therefore displeasing to God. And due to the same, songs sung with the accompaniment of music or playing songs by means of music during the worship time (or other times) are to be avoided completely. If we hold such a position, then, I would say it is an unbiblical, unwarranted and imbalanced position. Because, 1. God being the creator and sustainer of all good things made it possible for people to come up with musical instruments and He gave people skills to play them. 2. God made good singers among people with the ability to sing pleasantly. 3. God (in the past history of His people, without doubt) appreciated his people singing praises to him with music. Even in the future His people will sing to him praises with music (Rev. 15:2, 3). 4. Music and songs are given great significance in the Bible throughout. Songs were used in the N.T. churches (Eph. 5:19; Colo.3:16; James 5:13; cf. Mark 14:26 also) though the use of music is not stated specifically. 5. Songs and music do have the power to motivate our thoughts toward God, soothe our feelings, and refresh our minds. 6. Songs reflect our hearts feelings. When it is sung unto God, it expresses our attitude, reverence, gratitude or enthusiasm for God. 7. The fact that songs and music are always used by Satan and his followers for their perverted purposes is not a reason for God's people not using them or for taking a position against using them. Considering music as 'worldly' and denying any place for it in the church worships is not a well thought about position. Church meetings were only reading of the Scriptures, exhortations and prayers are there and no singing will not be appreciated by any of us I am sure. Knowing this, People of God encouraged writing, teaching and singing songs in the church. Indeed it would be more pleasant and sweet to let those songs be sung with the accompaniment of music. I am aware of the modern (or post modern?!) trends in music and know how awkward some of those music's are. But when spiritually minded and spiritually sensible people use music in a spiritual attitude it will definitely bring edification, encouragement and comfort for God's people. Some would argue that we need to use contemporary songs and music to attract or to keep people in the church especially youngsters. Using music and appealing songs should not be for that purpose. The purpose of songs and music is to honor and praise God. If people are attracted to the church meetings due to our songs and music, that's fine. The generation gaps we have in the church can create a tension sometime over the question of the kind of songs and music that we should use in our church/worship meetings. The Older crowd in our churches would prefer old songs that might be different in style and tunes. Our younger generation need not become offended at this. When there is spiritual maturity with an individual then any meaningful songs, weather old styled or post modern, will find easy acceptance in our worship/ church meetings without causing any tension in the use of any of them. And it should be so, I think. As we prepare to worship God this week, let us use spiritual songs and sing them with music and praise God thus. Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham