Bible Camp 2019 - churchatvelachery.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web view27.01.2019 · 2 |General Camp:Jan. 25-27,2019 Pillar Campus , Madurai,TAMIL NADU. Bible Camp 2019. 25th

Heb. 13: 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. 15Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

18Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Bible Camp 2019

25th Jan. Friday 7:00 AM to 27th Jan. Sunday 2:00 PM

Pillar Campus, Pillar Salai

Nagamala-Puthukottai Road

MADURAI, TAMIL NADU- 625019

Ph:098425 64433

1 |General Camp: J a n . 2 5 - 2 7 , 2 0 1 9 P i l l a r C a m p u s , M a d u r a i , T A M I L N A D U

http://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-19.htm







INDEX PageGeneral Instructions 2Detailed Schedule 3Songs 4Topics and Camp Notes

1 Hebrews : The supremacy and sufficiency of Christ 11

2 Hebrews : Signs and cures for a backsliding believer 173 Hebrews : Things that accompany salvation 18

4 1 John : The right attitude towards SIN 23

5 Christian outlook on Financial Management 25

6 Christian Liberty 287 Make Disciples of ALL NATION 308 Forgiveness and Reconciliation 319 Mark : Challenges to be a disciple of Christ in the modern world 3210 Christian unity 3911 Christian contribution towards nation building 4312 Review and feed back 45

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

o Register you name at the reception desk soon after arrival and get the room key,

badge, etc.

o Keep punctuality in the camp for sessions, food, sleeping time, etc. Be available 5-

10 minutes before the session-time for songs, prayer, etc.

o Restrain from taking photos and videos during the sessions.

o You are requested to involve in activities such as prayer, discussions, quiz, etc..

o Keep the keys of the rooms/dormitory safe and return when you leave the camp

site.

o Keep away from going outside the camp site alone.

o There shall be a talent show on Saturday night. Individuals/families may

participate with songs/skits/any other gifts.

o There shall be a general quiz focusing the book of Hebrews .


25.01.2019 Friday7.00-7.30 am Songs7.30-8.30 am Devotion.8.30-9.30 am Breakfast9.30-9.45 am Songs

9.45-10.50 am S:1 The Supremacy and Sufficiency of ChristSelvin Jebaraj Norman.

10.50-11.00 am Reflections/Announcement11.00-11.20 am Tea11.20-11.30 am Songs11.30-12.30 pm S:2 Signs and cures for a backsliding believer/

Spiritual dullness, reasons, warnings and remedies.Chandrasekhar R..

12.30-1.00 pm Prayer Session 1(Churches and ministries)

1.00-2.00 pm Lunch2.30-3.30 pm Quiz in Hebrews.3.30-4.30 pm S:3 Things that accompany salvation.

Raju Abraham4.30-5.00 pm Tea5.00-6.15 pm Break6.15-6.30 pm Refresh6.30-7.30 pm S:4 The right attitude towards SIN.

Prince P.B.7.30-8.30 pm Dinner8.30-9.30 pm S:5 Christian outlook on Financial Management

Vincent George9.30-10.30 pm Fellowship, Lights off.

26.1.2019 Saturday6.00 am Black Coffee, personal prayer/devotion.

7.00-7.30 am Songs7.30-8.30 am S:6 Christian Liberty

Surya Narayanan8.30-9.30 am Breakfast + Photo session.9.30-9.45 am Songs

9.45-10.50 am S:7 Make Disciples of ALL NATION.Prabakaran G.

10.50-11.00 am Reflections/Announcement11.00-11.20 am Tea11.20-11.30 am Songs11.30-12.30 pm S:8 Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Vincent George12.30-1.00 pm Prayer session 2

(Country/Government/Elections.)1.00-2.00 pm Lunch2.30-3.30 pm Presentation on Personal Evangelism and mission


experiences by Bro. Pawan and Bro. Umakanth3.30-4.30 pm S:9 Parallel Session.

Youths: Vincent G.Families: Prince and Jerry along with their wives

(Panel discussion Q&A: Practical aspects in Christian parenting)

4.30-5.00 pm Tea5.00-6.00 pm Trekking/Break6.00-6.30 pm Refreshing6.30-7.30 pm S:10 Challenges to be a disciple of Christ in the

modern world. Jerry Joy David

7.30-8.30 pm Dinner8.30-10.00 pm Talent show

27.1.2019 Sunday6.00 am Black coffee

7-8.30 am WorshipWorship message: Elamathy.

Lord’s Table: Pavan / Umakanth.Leading: Stephen

8.30-9.30 am Breakfast9.30-9.45 am Songs

9.45-10.50 am S:11 Christian UnityKamal Kumar G

10.50-11.00 am Reflections/Announcements11.00-11.20 am Tea and Snacks11.20-11.30 am Songs11.30-12.35 am S:12 Christian contribution towards nation

building.L. Saravanan

12.35-12:45 am Reflections.12.45-1.15 am Feedbacks, Prize distribution, Vote of thanks, Prayer

and Benediction

M.C and Time keeping

Muthupandi

Kids in charge Grace and Team.

Juniors in charge Anil Kuruvilla.

Meeting hall arrangement

Nithya

Photo Session Puneeth Saravanan.

Registration and accommodation

Priyadarshini and Mouna


English Songs:1. Bless the Lord oh my soulOh my soulWorship His Holy nameSing like never beforeOh my soulI'll worship Your Holy nameThe sun comes upIt's a new day dawningIt's time to sing Your song againWhatever may passAnd whatever lies before meLet me be singingWhen the evening comesYou're rich in loveAnd You're slow to angerYour name is greatAnd Your heart is kindFor all Your goodnessI will keep on singingTen thousand reasonsFor my heart to findAnd on that dayWhen my strength is failingThe end draws nearAnd my time has comeStill my soul willSing Your praise unendingTen thousand yearsAnd then forevermoreForevermore

2. My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus blood and righteousnessI dare not trust the sweetest frameBut wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone, CornerstoneWeak made strong in the Saviour's loveThrough the storm, He is LordLord of all

When darkness seems to hide His faceI rest on His unchanging graceIn every high and stormy galeMy anchor holds within the veil

My anchor holds within the veil

He is Lord, Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet soundOh may I then in Him be foundDressed in His righteousness aloneFaultless stand before the throne

3. Once AgainJesus Christ, I think upon your sacrificeYou became nothing, poured out to deathMany times I've wondered at your gift of lifeAnd I'm in that place once againI'm in that place once againAnd once again I look upon the cross where you diedI'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken insideOnce again I thank youOnce again I pour out my lifeNow you are exalted to the highest placeKing of the heavens, where one day I'll bowBut for now I marvel at your saving graceAnd I'm full of praise once againI'm full of praise once againThank you for the crossThank you for the crossThank you for the cross, my friend

4. SanctuaryLord, prepare me to be a sanctuaryPure and holy, tried and trueWith thanksgiving, I'll be a livingSanctuary for You

5. Sing them over again to meSing them over again to me,Wonderful words of life,Let me more of their beauty see,Wonderful words of life;


Words of life and beautyTeach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,Wonderful words of life;Beautiful words, wonderful words,Wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to allWonderful words of life;Sinner, list to the loving call,Wonderful words of life;All so freely given,Wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echoes the Gospel call,Wonderful words of life;Offer pardon and peace to all,Wonderful words of life;Jesus, only Savior,Sanctify forever.

6. Come, Thou Fount of every blessingCome, Thou Fount of every blessingTune my heart to sing Thy graceStreams of mercy, never ceasingCall for songs of loudest praiseTeach me some melodious sonnetSung by flaming tongues abovePraise the mount, I'm fixed upon itMount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my EbenezerHere there by Thy great help I've comeAnd I hope, by Thy good pleasureSafely to arrive at homeJesus sought me when a strangerWandering from the fold of GodHe, to rescue me from dangerInterposed His precious blood

Oh, that day when freed from sinningI shall see Thy lovely faceClothed then in the blood washed linenHow I'll sing Thy wondrous graceCome, my Lord, no longer tarryTake my ransomed soul away

Send Thine angels now to carryMe to realms of endless day

Oh, to grace how great a debtorDaily I'm constrained to beLet that goodness like a fetterBind my wandering heart to TheeProne to wander, Lord, I feel itProne to leave the God I loveHere's my heart, oh, take and seal itSeal it for Thy courts above

Tamil Songs:

7. சத்தாய் நிஷ்களமாய ாரு சாமி மும்மில தாய்ச்

சித்தா ானந்தமாய்த் திகழ்கின்ற திரித்துவமேம

எத்தால் நா டிமே ன் , கடை#த்மேதறுவயனன் பாவந்தீர்ந்து

அத்தாவுன்டைன ல்லா யலனக்கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ?

2. எம்மாவிக்குருகி உ ிரீந்து புரந்த தற்மேகார்

டைகமாறுண்டு யகாமேலா? கடை#காறும் டைக டை# ாய்

சும்மா ரஷடை+ யசய் யசால் சுதந்தரம் ாதுமிமேலன்

அம்மானுன்டைன ல்லா யலனக்கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ?

3. ஈண்மே# ய ன்னுள்ளத்தில் விசுவாச விளக்கிலங்கத்

தூண்#ா ய ன்னிலந்மேதா ம ல் சூழ்ந்து யகடுத்திடுங்காண்

மாண்#ா ய ம் பிடை<க்காய் உ ிர்த்தாய டைம வாழ்விக்கமேவ


ஆண்#ா யுன்டைன ல்லாயலனக்கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ?

4. டைம ார் கண்+ிருண்டு யசவி வா டை#த்துக் கு<றி

ஐ ால் மூச்யசாடுங்கி உ ிராக்டைக விட்மே# கிடும்நாள்

டைநமே ல் டைக யவகிமேவனுடைன நாணுண் பஞ்சயலன

ஐ ா உன்டைன ல்லா யலனக்கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ?

5. திடைரமேசர் யவம்பவமாங் க#ல் மூழ்கி தீ யரடைமக்

கடைர மேசர்த்துய்க்க யவன்மேற புடை+ ா ிடைன கண்+ிலி ான்

பரமேசன் பற்றுகிமேலயனடைனப் பற்றி பற்றுவி#ாய்

அரமேசயுன்டைன ல்லாயலனக்கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ

6. தாமே தந்டைத தமர் , குரு சம்பத்து நட்யபடைவயும்

நீமே எம் யபருமான் கதிமேவறிடைல நிண்+ ங்காண் ,ஏமே யவன்றி கழுமுலமேகாய#னக் யகன்னுரிடைம

ஆமே வுன்டைன அல்லாயலனக் கார் துடை+ ாருறமேவ?

________________________________

8. எனிக்காய் கருதுந்நவன் பாரங்ஙள் வகிக்குந்நவன்

என்மேன டைகவி#ாத்தவன் மே சு என் கூமே#யுண்டு

பரீக்ஷ என்மேற யதய்வம் அனுவதிச்சால் பரிகாரம் எனிக்காய் கருதிட்டுண்டு

எந்தினந்நு (ச்)மேசாதிக்கில்லா ஞான்

என்மேற நன்மக்காய ன் எந்நறியுந்நு ஞான்

2)எரிதீ ில் வீ+ாலும் அவிமே# ஞான் ஏகனல்லா

வீழுந்நமேதா தீ ிலல்லா என் மே சுவின் கரங்ஙளிலாம்

3)மேகாரமாம் மேசாதன ின் ஆ<ங்ஙள் க#ந்நிடும்மேபாள்

ந#க்குந்நது மே சுவத்மேர ஞான் அவன் கரங்ஙளிலாம்

4)யதய்வம் எனிக்கனுகூலம் அது நந்நாய் அறியுந்நு ஞான்

யதய்வம் அனுகூலம் எங்கில் ஆயரனிக்யகதிரா ிடும்

9. என்மேன கருதுந்ந விதங்ஙள் ஓர்த்தால் நந்நி ால் உள்ளம் நிரஞ்ஞிடுந்மேந என்மேன ந#த்துந்ந வ<ிகள் ஓர்த்தால் ஆனந்ததின் அஸ்ரு யபா<ிஞ்ஞிடுந்மேந

மே சுமேவ ரக்ஷகா நின்மேன ஞான் ஸ்மேனகிக்கும்


ஆயுசின் நாயளல்லாம் நந்நி ால் பாடிடும்.(2)

1.பாபக்கு<ி ில் ஞான் தாழ்நி#ாயதன் பாதம் உறப்புள்ள பாற மேமல் நிர்த்தி பா#ான் புது கீதம் நாவில் தந்நு பாடும் ஸ்துதிகள் என் மே சுவினு-- -----மே சுமேவ ரக்ஷகா...

2.உள்ளம் கலங்ஙிடும் மேவடைள ியலன்

உள்ளில் வந்மேநசு யசால்லிடுந்நு ...

யதல்லும் ப ம்மேவண்#ா என் மகமேன எல்லா நாளும் ஞான் கூமே#யுண்டு ---மே சுமேவ ரக்ஷகா...

3.ஓமேரா திவசவும் மேவண்ய#யதல்லாம் மேவண்டும் மேபால் நாதன் நல்கிடுந்நு திந்நு திறுப்தனா ி தீர்ந்நமேசஷம்

நந்நி ால் ஸ்மேதாத்ரம் பாடுயமந்நும்-- மே சுமேவ ரக்ஷகா...

4.மேதகம் க்ஷ ிச்சாலும் மே சுமேவ நின்

ஸ்மேனகம் மேகாஷிக்கும் மேலாகயமங்ஙும்

காண்மான் யகாதிக்குந்மேந நின் முகம் ஞான்

காந்தா மேவகம் நீ வந்நி#மே+

----------மே சுமேவ ரக்ஷகா நின்மேன ஞான்

10.உறக்கம் யதளிமேவாம்உற்சாகம் யகாள்மேவாம்உலகத்தின் இறுதிவடைரகல்வாரித் யதானிதான்மடை< மாறி யபா<ியும்நாள்வடைர உடை<த்திடுமேவாம்

1. அசுத்தம் கடைளமேவாம் அன்டைப அடை<ப்மேபாம் ஆவி ில் அனலும் யகாள்மேவாம்அவர் படை# யW ிக்கநம்மிடை# கருத்துமேவற்றுடைம ின்றி வாழ்மேவாம் --- உறக்கம்

2. அச்சம் தவிர்ப்மேபாம் டைதரி ம் யகாள்மேவாம் சரித்திரம் சாட்சி கூறும்இரத்தச் சாட்சிகள்நம்மிடை# மேதான்றிநாதனுக்காய் மடிமேவாம் --- உறக்கம்

3. கிறிஸ்துவுக்காய்இ<ந்தவர் எவரும் தரித்திரர் ஆனதில்டைலஇராஜ் மேமன்டைமக்காய்கஷ்#ம் அடை#ந்மேதார்நஷ்#ப்பட்#திடைல --- உறக்கம்

4. உ ிர் யபறுவீர்ஒன்று கூடுவீர் உலர்ந்த எலும்புகமேளநீங்கள் அறி ாஒருவர் உங்கள்நடுவில் வந்துவிட்#ார் --- உறக்கம்____________________________11. En Jeeva Kaalam Muluthum

என் ஜீவ காலம் முழுதும்

துதிப்மேபன் துதித்துப் பாடுமேவன்


என் மேதவன் அளித்த யபலடைன

நிடைனத்மேத நன்றி யசால்கிமேறன்

1. யதாடைலந்து மேபான என்டைனமே

யதாழுவம் மேசர்ந்த அன்மேப

திருந்தி வந்த என்டைனமே

திரும்பி அடை+த்த அன்மேப

வறண்டு மேபான என் வாழ்விமேல

வளடைம மேசர்த்த அன்மேப

என்னத் தருமேவன் உமக்கு -நான்

என்டைனத் தருமேவன் உமக்கு

2.கருவில் இருந்த என்டைனமே

யதரிந்து யகாண்# அன்மேப

உதிரம் சிந்தி எனக்குள்

உ ிடைர டைவத்த அன்மேப

கரத்டைத நீட்டி என் நாவினில்

திருவார்த்டைத ஈந்த அன்மேப



3.கு<ி ில் இருந்த என்டைனமே

சிகரம் மேசர்த்த அன்மேப

சிடைற ில் இருந்த மேபாதும்

சிறக்க டைவத்த அன்மேப

உம்டைமவிட்டு நான் விலகியும்

அடை+த்துக் யகாண்# அன்மேப



Hindi Songs:

13. Mere jeevan mein teri yeshu Zarurat haiTere bina me kaise jeeyuKaise jeeyu tere bin ?Paap par me kaise jituMukh dekhe tere bin ?Vachan pe bhi man na laageTu sikhaye na toVyarth jeevan murza jayeTu rahe na toMere jivan mein prabhuBhatku to me kaha javuGhera tune jo hai Darshan mangu pal pal tereNamra is dil seTere lahu ke paak bahav meMujhko shuddh kar deIs sarir mandir mein har damTeri prasannatha raheMere jivan mein prabhu

14. Aao milke stuti karengeYeshu ke gungaan karengeNachenge gayenge dhoom machadengeYeshu ke gungaan karengeWo hai raja wo masihaMere jeevan ka saharajai jai bolo jai yeshu ki jai…


12. கன்னியாகுமரி முதல்

கன்னியாகுமரி முதல் ஜம்மு - காஷ்மீர் வரைர

பாரத தேதசம் இதேயசுரைவ அறியட்டுதேம

பாரதம் நம் பாரதம் இதேயசுரைவ அறியட்டுதேம - 2

1.பாரில் எங்கும் இதேயசுவின் நாமம் செசால்லுதேவாம்

பாவம் தீர்க்க வந்தேதாரைன சாட்சி பகருதேவாம்

ஆயுசின் நாசெ+ல்லாம் வாழ்த்திப்பாடிடுதேவாம் - 2

2.உலக வாழ்க்ரைக குறுகியதேத சீக்கிரம் கடந்திடும்

உலக மீட்பர் இதேயசுவின் வருரைக சமீபதேம

தேதசம் அழியுது பார்! இதேயசு வரப்தேபாகிறார் - 2

3.கண்ணீதேராதேட செஜபித்திடுதேவாம் இதயத்ரைத ஊற்றிடுதேவாம்

தியாகத்தேதாதேட செசயல்படுதேவாம் உள்+த்ரைத செகாடுத்திடுதேவாம்

இதேயசு கிறிஸ்துவுக்காய் வாழ்ரைவ அர்ப்பணிப்தேபாம் - 2

OUTLINE OF HEBREWS

A. JESUS A SUPERIOR PERSONa. He is God’s final revelation (1:1-3)

i. He is the heir of all thingsii. Through Him the world is madeiii. He is the radiance of God’s gloryiv. He is the imprint of Godv. He uphold all thingsvi. He has made purification for sinsvii. He now sits at the right hand of majesty

b. He is greater in glory than Angels (1:4-2:4)Do not drift away from the Word 2:1-4

c. He is fully God and fully man (2:5-18)Identified with humanity, hence merciful high priest (2:17-18)

d. He is greater glory than Moses (3:1-19)Do not doubt the Word 3:12-4:2

e. He is greater than Joshua in providing eternal rest (4:1-16) Exhortation to enter into God’s rest

B. JESUS IS HAVING SUPERIOR PRIESTHOODa. His priesthood is better than Aaronic priesthood (5:1-6:20)

Do not be dull in hearing the Word 5:11-6:8Encouragement to maturity reminding God’s promises (6:9-20)

b. He is in the order of Mechizedek (7:1-28)i. Greatness of Mechizedek compared to Abraham (7:1-10)


ii. Greatness of Mechizedek compared to Levitical priesthood (7:11-28)

C. JESUS HAD A BETTER MINISTRY THAN OLD COVANANT a. His new covenant superior than Old Covenant (8:1-13)b. He offered a sacrifice in a better sanctuary (9:1-12)c. He offered a better sacrifice (9:13-10:18)

D. JESUS PAVED THE WAY FOR A SUPERIOR PRINCIPLEa. An exhortation to enter to the new sanctuary (10:19-31)

Do not despise the Word 10:26-31 b. An exhortation to endure persecution (10:32-39)c. An exhortation to walk in faith (11:1-40)d. An exhortation to endure chastening (12:1-29)

i. Superior example of Christ (12:1-4)ii. Chastening is the evidence of Sonship (12:5-11)

iii. Chastening is essential for sanctification( 12:12-17)Do not defy the Word 12:18-29

E. A FINAL CALL FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

a. Love for believers (13:1-6)b. Respect for leaders (13:7,17)c. Resist false teachings (13:9-15)d. Submit to leaders (13:16-17)

F. CONCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS

THE SUPREMACY AND SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST Dr. Selvin Jebaraj Norman

What does the Supremacy of Christ mean?

The Supremacy of Christ means that Jesus Christ is superior than

a) Angels and Tora (Ch 01 and 02)“having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (01:04)

b) Moses and the Promised Land (03 and 04)“For Jesus has been counted more glory than Moses” (03:03)

c) Priests and Melchizedek (05 to 07) and“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (07:17)

d) Sacrifice and Covenant (08 to 10) a better covenant.” (07:22)“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

What does the Sufficiency of Christ mean?

The Sufficiency of Christ means that the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as once for all sacrifice is sufficient for the remission of sins and salvation of man. Human merit and religious rites are nothing but dead works.

a) “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (01: 3b)


b) “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour, because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (02:09)

c) “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (05:09 and 10)

d) Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. (08:01and02)

e) But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing eternal salvation. (09:11and12)

Authorship of the Book of Hebrews

From the earliest times, there have been a variety of positions on the authorship of Hebrews. Early on, the apostle Paul was the candidate named most frequently, but scholars also suggested Barnabas, Luke, Apollos, and even Clement of Rome. Around A.D. 325 the church historian Eusebius in his History of the Church referred to Origen’s outlook on the authorship as below: “But as to who wrote the epistle [of Hebrews], God knows the truth of the matter”

Original Audience

The book of Hebrews doesn’t clearly identify its audience by name, city or region. Still, in general terms, we can be confident that the author wrote to a specific audience with whom he was personally familiar (13:19-24).

Jewish

First, there’s reason to think that at least a good portion of the original audience was Jewish. Hebrews 1:1 makes this clear.

Hellenistic

Second, it’s also likely that the audience was in large part Hellenistic. The content of Hebrews indicates that the audience was familiar with theological teachings that were more common among Jews living outside of Palestine than among more traditional Jewish circles within Palestine.


Immature

Third, the original audience of Hebrews was immature. Listen to the way the author described them, “Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again” (Hebrews 5:12).

Persecuted

As we read through the book of Hebrews, it becomes evident that the original audience had already faced persecution in the past. Some of them were suffering in the present, and the author’s expectation was that more of them would suffer, perhaps even more severely, in the future. In 10:32-35, the author drew attention to the suffering that at least some in the audience had experienced in the past: “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering... So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded (Hebrews 10:32-35).

Near Apostasy

Fifth, as the audience of Hebrews faced persecution, at least some of them were near apostasy. Rather than simply being discouraged or weakened by sufferings, they were in danger of turning away from Christ entirely. For instance, in Hebrews 10:26-27 we read this warning:

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26-27).

What is the need for presenting about the Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ in the Book of Hebrews?

Followers of Christ have suffered persecution throughout history. Stolen property, beatings, imprisonment and martyrdom have been the fate of countless Christians. And by some reports, Christ’s followers are being persecuted more than ever in our own day.

This was the challenge that faced the author of the book of Hebrews. He wrote to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They’d done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution. Hence the author stressed the importance of the Supremacy and Sufficiency of Christ to encourage the believers to cling to Christ.

Exhortation

The author of Hebrews wrote to exhort his audience to reject local Jewish teachings and to remain faithful to Jesus. This description of the author’s purpose helps orient us to the main ideas found in the book of Hebrews. As we’ve just suggested, the author of Hebrews wrote to exhort his audience. Listen to the way the author himself characterized his book in 13:22: “Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation”.


Frequency

The frequency of the author’s exhortations helps us understand the urgency of his message. These exhortations are implicit at times, but at least 30 times they appear explicitly. On many occasions, the author used what Greek grammarians call the “hortatory subjunctive.” These verbal forms urge or implore and are often translated “let us” do this or that. For instance, in 4:14, 16 we read two such exhortations: Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess... Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.

The author also exhorted his audience by using imperatives, which we often translate as direct orders. For example, in 12:12-16 we read this series of exhortations: “Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet ... Make every effort to live in peace with all men ... be holy ... See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up ... See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau.”

Rhetorical Style

The book of Hebrews has often been characterized as highly rhetorical. By this we mean that it employs many literary devices that were associated with persuasive oratory or urgent debate in the first century

One rhetorical device, called synkrisis in Greek, is a detailed comparison between two or more things designed to convince audiences to affirm the speaker’s point of view. For example, synkrisis appears in the book of Hebrews in 7:11-28. There, the author argued that Jesus was a royal priest like Melchizedek, a priest and king mentioned in the book of Genesis. But rather than simply asserting his belief, the author of Hebrews gave his audience a compelling, eight-point comparison between Melchizedek and Christ: their parentage, genealogy, birth, death, office, actions, status and achievements. These detailed comparisons were designed to settle all doubts about the claim that Jesus is the great, royal High Priest.

Another rhetorical device in the book of Hebrews is known as exempla. Exempla are lists of illustrations or examples that follow one after the other to build a persuasive argument for a particular point of view. This oratorical technique appears in the familiar list of the faithful in Hebrews 11. There the author listed by name: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets. This long list was designed to persuade the audience that servants of God should remain faithful throughout their persecution.

A third rhetorical device used by the author of Hebrews is known by the Hebrew expression qol wahomer. This expression is well known from both Greco-Roman and rabbinical traditions and may be translated “light to heavy,” “less to great,” or “simple to complex.” This type of argumentation begins with a simple premise that isn’t disputed by the audience. It then builds to a more complex conclusion that the audience initially doubts, but can now more easily accept. Simply put, this argument says that


because the simple premise is true, then surely the more difficult conclusion must also be true. Listen to the way this rhetorical device appears in Hebrews 10:28-29:

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot? (Hebrews 10:28-29).

Here the author began with a premise that the audience understood: the punishment for those who rejected the law of Moses was death. Then he pressed his audience further by arguing “how much more” punishment should come to those who “trampled ... under foot” one greater than Moses — “the Son of God.”

These examples help us see the urgency of the author’s intentions. He was convinced that his audience faced a very serious situation and that it was time for them to make some very difficult decisions. So, he did all he could to urge and persuade them to make the right choices.

Remain Faithful to Jesus

To accomplish the goal of calling his audience to faithful service to Jesus, the author of Hebrews organized his exhortations into five major divisions.

In Hebrews 1:1–2:18, the author of Hebrews called on his audience to affirm the supremacy of Christ over angelic revelations.

A number of Jewish writings often exalted angels as powerful, glorious creatures who brought divine revelations to inferior human beings. This honour for angels raised a serious challenge against those who followed Christ. Jesus was flesh and blood. How then could anyone follow what he said instead of the revelations of angels? The author of Hebrews responded to this local Jewish teaching by demonstrating from the Old Testament, and from Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return in glory, that he is actually superior to the angels.

The second major division of Hebrews, in 3:1–4:13, demonstrates that Jesus is to be held above Moses’ authority.

It was obvious to everyone that followers of Jesus were not observing the sacrificial services God had ordained through Moses. The local Jewish community called for Christians to return to Moses and his ways. The author of Hebrews responded by affirming that Moses was God’s faithful servant. But Jesus was even greater because he was God’s royal Son.

After dealing with angels and Moses, the author of Hebrews turned to Melchizedek’s priesthood in 4:14–7:28. In this division, the author argued that Jesus was the supreme Royal Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Apparently, the local Jewish community wanted the original audience to reject Jesus as the Messiah because of their beliefs about the appearance of Melchizedek as the great royal high priest in the last days. In response, the author of Hebrews demonstrated that Jesus was the true Royal Priest who appeared in the last days to provide eternal atonement for sin.


There is indeed, no book in Holy Scripture which speaks so clearly of the priesthood of Christ, which so highly exalts the virtue and dignity of that only true sacrifice which He offered by His death, which so abundantly deals with the use of ceremonies as well as their abrogation, and, in a word, so fully explains that Christ is the end of the Law.– John Calvin

In 8:1–11:40, the author of Hebrews explained the supremacy of the new covenant in Jesus. The teachings of the local Jewish community raised doubts about the Christian claim that Jesus had come to mediate the new covenant promised by Jeremiah. But the author of Hebrews pointed out that Jesus is, in fact, the mediator of the new covenant.

In the last major division, in 12:1–13:25, the book of Hebrews elaborates on a number of ways that the audience needed to exercise practical perseverance.

This division consists of a long series of exhortations, as well as explanations for these exhortations. In light of so many challenges to their faith from the local Jewish community and elsewhere, the author wrote to inspire and energize his audience. He exhorted them to remain faithful to Jesus as the Messiah by reminding them of God’s promises and blessings in Jesus.

HEBREWS:SIGNS AND CURES FOR A BACKSLIDING BELIEVER R. Chandrasekhar

1. Introduction

2. Causes for back sliding

3. Forms of back sliding

4. Signs & of back sliding

5. Warnings passages against back sliding from the book of Hebrews


6. There’s a way back to GOD

7. Assurance of forgiveness

8. Consequences of backsliding

9. Pressing on

HEBREWS: THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION Dr. Raju Abraham

For many ‘to get saved’ is just getting a visa to heaven! In fact, it is a birth to a new life.

We are confused or scared about the book of Hebrews!-the length of the book ‘13:22 bear with this short exhortation’!-the warning passages ‘10:31 terrifying thing to fall into the hand of living God’-the doctrinal confusions about some passages-e.g.Heb.6

But there is no other book in NT that connects all the 66 books like the book of Hebrews.

Yet, we do not know the author and audience! It is a book for all time and all situations!


We see the righteousness of God through faith in Romans and in Hebrews the restoration and steadfastness in life through trust and obedience.

Romans talk about the necessity of Christian faith, while Hebrews talk about the superiority of Christian faith!

Background: Hebrew Christians came out of Judaism 20-30 years back and accepted Christian faith. They were persecuted as transgressors of the law-their goods were confiscated-they were banished from the place-treated as unclean and apostates-Some were stoned to death.

Now they are confused with Jewish ceremonies, legal and ritual functions.The temple is standing and sacrificial system continues.The wish to go back to the old traditions or mixing the old and new!The reason: they were babes in Christ! Their understanding of Christ and salvation was inadequate!

What God wanted to tell them?

A. ARE THEY REALLY BELIEVERS?

4For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen ( , παραπεσόντας parapesontas) away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Some believe that it is a mixed audience-Harsh warnings are against the professing believers!


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https://biblehub.com/greek/parapesontas_3895.htm




Some believe that they are believers wanted to go back.

They have become dull of hearingThey are infants in ChristThey have once been enlightened by the word of God They have tasted the heavenly gift of God / Word of God / Powers of the age to comeThey are partakers of the Holy Spirit.

There are three different views about Hebrew Christians.

a. Believers who will lose salvation i. There are people who can wilfully reject Christ

ii. They are believers and will lose their salvation due to sinThey fell away-lost their salvation. They can never be restored!

b. Unbelievers who tasted salivation i. They are not really believers and will lose salvation by sin

They are enlightened and have tasted only-not really saved.Taste-experience. Jesus tasted death 2:9Fall away-hardening against truth-rejecting the

c. They are true believers who will not lose salvation i. They believers and it is only a warning

They were made partakers of Holy Spirit.Believers cannot reject ChristA hypothetical situation to warn people! John Calvin believed it.

ii. They are believers and God will judge their sins but will not lose their salvationThey are chastened by the Lord.The thorns and briars are burned, not the fieldIt talks about the chastisement of the believers continuing in sin.

B. IF BELIEVERS, HOW SECURE IS THEIR SALVATION?

The author of Hebrews tries to explain the superiority and sufficiency of Christ

The word better appears 13 times. The word perfect appears 14 times

Jesus a better personJesus is better than Angels Jesus is better than MosesJesus is better than Abraham

Jesus is a better priestJesus is better than Levitical priest

Jesus offered a better sacrifice


Hence our salvation is secure! It is based on person and work of Jesus.

C. WHAT MUST ACCOMPANY THE SALVATION?

a. An earnest attention to God’s voice (2:1-2)2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard , so that we do not drift away from it. 2For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Man is hunting for extra-terrestrial messages! One signal, one word… God has spoken! Are we hearing it?Gospels start with the message of the voice of God.Even the book of Romans starts with message God's revelationLaw of God and Son of God through Prophets and Apostles

The 5 warning passages are God's voices to His people.

.

But they are not warning for condemnation, but exhortation for change!Are we hearing the voice of God today?

b. A diligence to enter the rest of God (4:9-11)4:9So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.10For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest , so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

Rest- katapausis-ceasing from work or action

Normally people take a rest after getting admission, job, marriage etc.

It involves remaining confident, keeping trust, to lean on

Enjoying the perfect, confidence in the salvation work of God.

i. Creation Rest Gen. 2:2God completed His work


Warning Passages

Heb. 2:1-4 Do not drift away from the Word

Heb. 3:6b-4:13 Do not doubt the Word

Heb. 5:11- -6:8 Do not be dull in hearing the Word

Heb. 10:26-31 Do not despise the Word

Heb. 12:18-29 Do not defy the Word








He rested from all his work-it talks about completion, fulfilment!

ii. Sabbath Rest Ex. 31:15A complete rest was instructed to the Israelites after 6 days of work Sabbath was serious and holy to God.‘Sanctify Sabbath’ But no direct instructions like this in NT.

iii. Canaan Rest Heb. 4:8Entering to the promised land and enjoy its blessing

iv. Rest for the land Lev. 25:3-4v. Salvation Rest Mat. 11:28-30, Ps. 37:1-7

vi. Submission rest Mat. 11:28-30vii. Heavenly rest Dan.12:13, Rev. 14:13

What is the rest Hebrews talks about?

a. There is a promise of rest for all the believersb. In OT times Joshua couldn’t give them restc. There was call to enter that rest during David’s timed. Some believer’s couldn’t rest because of disobediencee. The promise of rest is similar to God’s creation restf. There is a promise for all the believers to enter that rest.g. There is a call to enter God’s promised rest.h. There is a warning even now to come short of this rest by disobedience.

Why OT believers’ could not enter the rest?-A failure to trust, submit and obey! There remains a promise and exhortation for us also to enter the rest. Are we diligent about to enter into the rest of God?

c. A desire for growth and maturity (5:8-12)5:8Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. 11Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 6:1Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity….

Growth is a sign of new life! Many know only one thing: Jesus saved them.Growth requires solid food.What are the topics of sermon in our churches?Growth requires time-But time alone doesn’t guarantee growth.








But as to who wrote the epistle [of Hebrews], God knows the truth of the matter..

Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 185 to 254)

What are the signs of growth and maturity? Knowledge of Word, Discernment of evil, Concern for others, Steadfastness in adversities of life,..etc.Are we growing into spiritual maturity?

d. A dedication to serve God acceptably with suffering (10:32-35)6:9But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Make your spiritual investments today!Hebrew believers had a great past. Heb. 10:32God will not be unjust to forget what we have done in His name. Jer. 29:11There can be difficult times ahead- sickness, financial crisis, persecutions, etc.Make our best spiritual investment today so that we will not go back!

Conclusion

Hebrews is a call or ‘word of exhortation’ for steadfastness! We must go to maturity in faith. There is promise to enter God's rest today. It also warms against going back to our old practices as Jesus is superior and sufficient for us compared to any system.

A good investment today is a protection against backsliding in future!

Remember Caleb in Joshua 14.

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

TOWARDS SIN-1 JOHN Prince P. B.

The word sin appears 15 times in 1 John. The words used for sin are:

Hamartano- meaning: miss the mark, to err, to sin, offend, trespass.

Hamartia :- sin, offence, sinful.






Sin is missing the standard set by God to all human beings. Sin is offending God through ungodliness .

Sin is an offence towards God's commandments and His holy nature.

Sin is the transgression of God's Law -l Jn 3:4

In 1 John 1:5, God's nature is revealed as 'God is light' . Intellectually ' light' refers to Biblical truth while darkness refers to error or falsehood (Ps. 119:105, Prov. 6:23, Jn.1:4, 8:12).

Morally light' refers to holiness or purity, while , darkness' refers to sin or wrong doing.(Rom. 13:11-14, 1Thess. 5:4-7) Believers are called the children of light, because they are cleansed by the blood of Jesus and are called to walk in God's light and to reflect it.

Based upon these basic truths, let us try to understand the problem with sin and how it is to be dealt with.

1. Sin breaks our fellowship with God (1 Jn 1:5-10)

Since God is holy and He cannot change His Holy nature, everybody needs cleansing of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ , to have fellowship with God. We are to acknowledge our sinfulness and confess it with a repenting heart. In this chapter, the words sin and sins are used. Sin represents the Adamic sin and sins means our own sinfulness. Jesus Christ dealt with all of these on the cross.

2. Freedom from sin is the promise of God - (1 Jn 2:1-6)

Those who trust Jesus Christ for the remission of sins are promised a cleansing and freedom from sin. This freedom is revealed through walking in God's ways and obeying His commandments. God cannot really bless a person who practices sinful deeds.

3. Personal holiness influences our relationships and our spiritual growth-(1 Jn 2: 7-17)

If holiness becomes the lifestyle of a believer, then he is able to love others, especially believers. Unrepentant sins causes grudge and hate towards other believers, in our heart. According to 1 Jn 2:15-17, sinful life produces a love for this world and a holy life produces love for God, and through it, our spiritual growth.

4. Spiritual purity reveals one's real self- (1 Jn 3:1-10)

A believer who enjoyed the love of God and has the hope in the second coming of Jesus Christ leads a pure life. He cannot love sin and won't continue in any sort of sinfulness. Jesus Christ appeared on the earth to destroy the sinful works of satan. A person who habitually practices sin is the unsaved one. He is more influenced by satan, than of God.


A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world. -Albert Camus

5. Holy life creates love for God and love for brethren (1 Jn 3:11-24)

Sin is selfishness and makes one greedy. Sin creates evil passions and jealousy. A believer who leads a holy life can overcome such sinful tendencies. He practices sacrificial love. Genuine Christian love expresses itself in sacrificial giving to other Christians' needs. It is a practical love that finds motivation in helping others. God answers the prayers of His children that love others -3:22.

CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Dr. Vincent George

Importance

Important to the Lord Jesus: One of the most discussed topics of scripture -more

than baptism, lord’s supper … 12/38 parables, 1 out of 6 verses in synoptic

gospels – God of bible is money minded


Personal accountability: Mat 25:14, 19

Attitude to money is the _______________ of one’s spiritual maturity –

Mat.18:21-23

‘ACT WISE’ - Attitude, Contentment, Trust, Wise spending, Investment, Scheduling and Example.

I. Attitude: Mat. 6:24 – A terrible __________, but an excellent _____________.

Potential as a terrible __________:

_____________ to one’s salvation - Mat19:23-26.

_______________ Mat13:22 – chokes the word - false security.

Steals our ______ / ________ to God– Mat. 6:21, 24.

__________ of all evil – 1 Tim. 6:10

Potential as an excellent _____________:

Meeting ____________ needs Acts 4:34, Jam. 2:15-16.

_______________ souls - Lk.16:9

Your love, loyalty and service to God or money.

II. Contentment: Phil. 4:12

Being __________ with little or plenty.

III. Trust: Psa. 118:8

Trusting in ________________, _______________, …

Asking human help 2 Chron. 16:9 .

IV. Wise SpendingNeeds: _________________ / _____________ / __________________

Spend ______________, even for small things. Avoid impulsive buying.

Avoid _____________ – Mk. 6:43, 8:8

Pay ____________ - Mat. 22:21


The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.- Anonymous

Never give _____________ - Exo.23:8

Avoid taking __________: Prov.22:7, Ps. 37:21

Never stand as _____________ Prov. 27:13

V. Investment: ________________ for future – Immediate future – Prov. 6:6-8.

The Lord appreciates investment. – Mat. 25:21

Investing in ___________ Lk. 16:9.

Spending for Church and charity Mt. 27:60, Deut. 26:12-13.

Principle of _________________________ 2 Cor. 9:6,7

Reaping is proportional to sowing. It depends on ____________ of heart – cheerfully, without grudging, not forcefully, but sacrificially.

Giving is a biblical form of investment which results in growth, not just in quantity, but also in quality and for eternity - Lk.16:9

VI. Scheduling / Budgeting:

Budgeting: Allocating limited financial resources among various alternatives

necessary to yield best result – essential for a steward.

______________ because account is to be given – Mat.25:14,19

If not planned properly, priority needs may be left unmet.

Through _______________ with spouse and children- Prov. 15:22

Getting _____________ from senior brethren.

Plan – Income, Expenditure in various heads, Saving and Giving.

VII. Example:

Become a ____________ for others.

Glory to _________ 2 Cor. 10:31.


Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

--Norman Vincent Peale

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY Surya Narayanan

Christian liberty or freedom is one of my most cherished subjects in Christian life. It is a God given gift to his people. Christian liberty has many meanings.

It means freedom from Sin, Satan, hell, death, legalism, Judaism or Mosaic code of conduct, fear, anxiety etc.

This session is not about the above mentioned. It’s the other dimension or aspect of liberty. This session will be about the amoral (not immoral) or non-biblical (not unbiblical) or adiaphora issue. It deals about the issues or things of which bible


neither condones it nor condemns it; things that are neither commanded by God nor forbidden by God.

We want to do or enjoy many non-biblical or adiaphora things but we are afraid about it (for good or bad reasons). for e.g. wearing trendy or modern dresses, watching movies, visiting amusement parks, celebrating some cultural festivals(Christmas, Easter, Good Friday,Onam, Pongal,Diwali) etc. How to make decisions in such situation?

In this session we will be dealing about the Biblical principles that are needed to deal the adiaphora issues. Our God doesn’t wants us to stay confused or doubtful but rather he has given us enough light through his scriptures to deal those issues.

There is a classic example or case study in 1 Cor. 8 & 10. It’s about eating food offered to idols. Also Romans 14 deals about this issue.

Let us see the principles through this

1. Love principle (1 Cor. 8:1, 3)

Deal it with heart level not merely on intellectual level. Love builds up but knowledge puffs up. Love for God or God’s people is more important than mere knowledge on God or Gods laws

2. Stumbling block principle (1 Cor. 8: 9, 10, 13)

Does my freedom will be a stumbling block to my fellow brother /sister in Christ.

Will it cause him/her to sin?

3. Identification principle (1 Cor. 10:20-21)

Will I be identified with the world or pagan system while I exercise my freedom on amoral or non-biblical issues?

4. Profitable principle (1 Cor. 10:23)

Will my freedom be a profitable or useful one to my fellow brother or even to me?

5. Building principle (1 Cor. 10:23)

Will my freedom be a building one or edifying one to my fellow brother or even to me?

6. Seeking the good of other principle (1 Cor. 10:24), Romans 14:7

While exercising my freedom will it ultimately lead to good of my fellow brother /sister in Christ?

7. Conscience principle (1 Cor. 10:27-29; 1 Cor.8: 7-12)

Mindfulness of the weaker brother’s conscience

Having a strong and clear conscience.

Anything without faith is a sin

8. Glory principle (1 Cor. 10: 31)


“If individuals live only seventy years, then a state, or a nation, or a civilization, which may last for a thousand years, is more important than an individual. BUT if Christianity is true, then the individual is not only more important but incomparably more important, for he is everlasting and the life of a state or a civilisation, compared with his, is only a moment.”

While exercising my freedom will it bring glory to God?

9. Pleasing & offending Principle (1 Cor. 10:32)

Will it be offensive to Jews, Greeks or Church of God?

10. Seeker friendly principle (1 Cor. 10:33)

The freedom exercised should help the seeker to get saved

The secular world celebrates freedom/liberty with the following ideologies

Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err- Mahatma Gandhi

Disobedience is the true foundation of Liberty. The obedient must be slaves- Henry David Thoreau

On the contrary, Christian liberty is looked the other way

Christian liberty is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin- AW Tozer

Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to Heaven- C.Spurgeon

You might have expected this session, may help you with idea of enjoying in non-biblical issues but it ended the other way.

May the Lord help us to apply these principles to take God honouring decisions in amoral or non-biblical issues.

MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS Prabhakaran G


FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILLATION Dr. Vincent George


CHALLENGES IN THE JOURNEY OF DISCIPLESHIP Jerry Joy David

– a study from the Gospel according to MarkIntroduction

Mark, in the creation of his gospel story, is not only saying something therein, he is also doing something with what he is saying.

Mark’s goal – builds up his readers as Christians and shows them what true discipleship is. Mark must be read as a story, rather than primarily as history (not simply a window to be looked through to see the historical events, but one that must be looked at).


Mark must be read independently from the other gospels; else it would change the story as Mark wants it told. (Harmonization of the gospel accounts disturbs Mark’s theological thrust of his narrative).

Each individual gospel demonstrates a unity of subject, but with a diversity of theological thrust. Early church resisted both an exclusive use of one gospel as well as a harmonizing approach.

Audience and Purpose

In the tumultuous situation in Rome in the late AD 60s, the disciples (followers of Jesus) were sorely shaken and filled with doubt –

Was all the suffering going through is ‘normal’? How should they respond? Would it be better to give up? What exactly does it mean to follow Jesus? Follow Him where? How will all this end?

Mark writing to provide answers to such troubling questions

Discipleship is the proper outcome of a healthy Christology:

Understanding Jesus’ person Accepting His mission

Entire life of Jesus is portrayed by Mark as one passage with three movements:

I. From Galilee Ch 1 to 8:21 Discernment of Jesus’ PersonII. On the Way Ch 8:22 to 10 Acceptance of Jesus’ Mission

III. To Jerusalem Ch 11 to 16 Faithfulness to Jesus


Act I: 1 – 8:21 – Lack of discernment of Jesus’ Person

a) They do not appear to be following Him for the right reasons (1:21 – 45)b) Accused of not ‘understanding’ (4:13, 7:18)c) Not having faith (4:40)d) Skeptical of Jesus’ ability to provide food for thousands (6:37, 8:4)e) Fail to recognize Jesus walking on water (6:49)f) Unable to make sense of Jesus’ feeding miracle (8:16 – 21)

Act II: 8:21 – 10 – Jesus’ Passion Predictions

Disciples do not seem to be able to accept the announcement of His Mission

a) First Passion Prediction – 8:32, 9:5-6b) Second Passion Prediction – 9:32-50c) Third Passion Prediction – 10:35-45

Act III: 11 – 16 – Disciples were unfaithful to their Master

a) Judas Iscariot betrayed Him 14:10-11, 18-21b) Peter denied Him 14:66-72c) You man fled Him naked 14:52d) All disciples left Him and fled 14: 50

Who is a disciple?

The disciple is one who follows Jesus –

a) Discerning His personb) Accepting His Mission and c) Being faithful to Him


On the way to glory through suffering

Act I- Discernment of Jesus’ Person

1. Are you ready to follow Him? – Jesus’ invitation to all who will follow Him - the Son of God, the only One whose way is worth following after which involves radical life change and calls for sacrifice and suffering (including spiritual warfare), but also promises the power of Holy Spirit (1:1-20)

2. Following to Serve - Following after Jesus (the authoritative One who confronts opposition to extend the boundaries of God’s realm) is not a self-satisfying undertaking (that misunderstand Jesus and His mission), but a self-giving one (that embraces the greater cause of the kingdom) (1:21-45)

3. How to respond to Opposition? – Following Jesus in discipleship entails facing opposition with boldness and persistence, without being deterred from their divine calling (2:1-3:6). Reasons for opposition:

Claims of forgiveness Disciples’ association with sinners Newness of their lifestyle Critique of traditional practices

4. Who is a disciple? – Disciples are appointed by the divine authority of Jesus to be with Him, and then to be sent from Him in the extension of His mission. Disciples discern Jesus’ person and does the will of God (being with Jesus and then sent by Him) (3:7 – 35)

5. Responsibility of the disciple and the divine element (4:1-34)

Right Response – Receptive to the Word to obey it without allowing satanic or worldly distractions to interfere

Result – Fruit may be produced for the cause of the kingdom Wrong Response – Lack of receptiveness to God’s Word to obey it Result – Unfruitfulness, hard heartedness and possible loss of God’s

blessing Divine Element – Incomprehensible, automatic Result – Humblest efforts of disciple to result in great eschatological

significance

6. What is expected of the one following Jesus on the way? (4:35 – 6:6)The follower of Jesus recognize Jesus’ care and concern and respond to Him having fearless faith in His power over natural calamities, supernatural foes, deathly disease and death, and fearlessly proclaim that power


Positive Example Negative ExampleEx-demoniac Twelve disciplesHemorrhaging woman BystandersJairus Mourners

Unbelieving home-townersFaith = Complete trust in the ability / authority of Jesus

7. Discipleship is costly!! The disciples’ authoritative commission from Jesus to extend His mission brings vigorous opposition from the enemies (even death), but it also comes with divine provision for the mission (6:7 – 32)

8. Disciple is empowered to serve. Jesus expecting his disciples to recognize his incredible power and their own divine empowerment to meet any need in the extension of His mission (6:32-56)

9. What is purity and acceptability before God? What renders a disciple morally acceptable before God is faith in Him that produces obedience to His Word, in contrast to hypocritical adherence to manmade rules of piety or ritual (7:1-30)Positive Example – Syrophoenician womanNegative Example - PhariseesAcceptable Christian practices not equal to Acceptability before God

10. Trust in God for the provision of life’s daily needs grounded in a discernment of the person of Jesus, is a critical facet of discipleship (7:31-8:26)

Act II: 8:21 – 10 – Acceptance of Jesus’ Mission

11. Glory is coming! - Suffering first, Glory Later. The model of discipleship for followers of Jesus is the pattern of Jesus’ own mission – self-denying suffering first and glory later. Disciples are encouraged by the magnificent hope of future glory as they accept Jesus’ divine mission that promises suffering in the present (8:27-9:13)

12.Serve with Humility. Be humble – depend upon God; be humble – serve the least!The acceptance of Jesus’ suffering mission by disciples involves their maintaining a heart of humility – depending prayerfully upon God’s power in faith and seeking to serve the last and the least – diligently removing any obstacle that keeps them from such an attitude (9:14-50)

13.One fleshed discipleshipQ) – What part does marriage and family play in the life of the disciple?


A) – Following the radical lifestyle demanded by Jesus, His followers remain tenderheartedly united to their spouses for life, in obedience to scripture, undertaking the journey of discipleship together (10:1-12)

14.Value system of God’s kingdom – Humility and total dependence on Him!Attachment to property is a hindrance in responding properly to the demands of the kingdom. Followers of Jesus accept the radical demands of discipleship with humble dependence upon God, maintaining proper perspective on possessions and being willing to part with them, in expectation of abundant recompense in the present, despite sufferings and abundant reward in the future (10:13-31)Positive Example - ChildrenNegative Example – Rich Man

15. Suffering Service – The true sign of greatness of disciples who have been granted discernment by Jesus is their acceptance of the mission of Jesus, following His model of suffering and service (10:32-52)

Act III: 10 - 16 – Faithfulness to Jesus

16. Community of Prayer built upon faith and forgiveness – Disciples’ appropriate reception of their divine king Jesus is characterized by their becoming communities functioning properly, dedicated to prayer built upon faith and forgiveness, as they replace the dysfunctional temple, the destruction of which warns disciple of the consequences of dysfunctionality (11: 1-25)

17. Why God can demand loyalty and what his loyalty ought to look like in the life of the disciple? – Accepting the divine authority and mission of Jesus, disciples have the solemn responsibility of fruit bearing stewardship towards God, the owner of all things, lest they suffer the consequences (11:27-12:12)

18. Demand on disciples – The absolute and illimitable ownership and authority of faithful God, mediated through Jesus Christ (12:13-44) –

Extent the entirety of the life of disciple, made in the image of God Extend through eternity Demands disciples’ sacrifice of all and utmost love for God and neighbor

Positive Example – Poor Widow

Negative Example - Scribes

19. Be faithful until the end!! – Dependence on God’s providence, Spirit’s power and Son’s promise of the disciple being gathered to Himself at His second coming enables the disciple to remain faithful to Jesus (rather than an institution) even


through the most trying circumstances, until such time as Jesus returns (the promise moment of which is unknown to all but the Father) (13: 1-37)

20. Lavish Sacrifice – Disciples accepting the suffering mission of Jesus are willing to give their all to Him, a sacrifice that is profuse, pure, precious and praiseworthy (14:1-11)Positive Example - WomanNegative Example – Disciples

21. Faithfulness or Fleshiness? – Faithfulness in discipleship involves confidence in God’s sovereign will and prayerful dependence upon the Holy Spirit (not the flesh), as the disciple emulates Jesus, lest he/she be shamefully disqualified from God’s service (14:12-52)Positive Example – JesusNegative Example – Twelve Disciples

22. Self-defense or Self-denial? – Disciples’ faithfulness in the fulfillment of their calling to be with Jesus involves self-denial for His cause, even in dangerous circumstances, without concern for self-preservation, following Jesus’ own example (14:53-72)Positive Example – JesusNegative Example – Peter

23. Suffering Servant – Faithfulness to the ultimately victorious King Jesus – remaining with Him all the way and it involves suffering and sacrifice (15:1-39)

24. Hope for Restoration – Despite disciples’ potential failure, because of God’s restoration of them into His service, disciples can return to the journey of discipleship with Jesus (15:40-16:8). God’s grace alone makes a renewed walk with Jesus possible.

Conclusion:Disciple is one who follows Jesus

a) discerning His person [Act I]b) accepting His mission [Act II] and c) being faithful to Him [Act III] ……………. on the way to glory through

suffering.

=====================================================================================

A question to be answered after hearing the message and reading through the 16 chapters –


“Throughout the story, there has been a nonparticipant observer who has been with Jesus in every scene. The narrator permitted him to be “with Jesus” the whole time, from beginning to end. This person –

- heard the voice of God declaring Jesus to be His Son, when no one else heard- present with Jesus in the wilderness, tested by Satan, when no one else was there- persisted when family rejected Jesus- stood by Him when religious leaders, crowds and disciples misunderstood and

abandoned Jesus- stayed awake and heard Jesus’ anguished prayer when inner circle went to sleep in

Gethsemane, oblivious to Jesus’ plea to watch with Him one hour- present when disciples fled and were absent at the cross- still there when Jesus cried out to God in abandonment

Now this person stand at the brink of the incomplete narrative in which all have failed and with terrible restraint, the narrator breaks off the story and leaves him………….

Question: Who is this person?

Answer: ___________________________

After reading the book, if you now discern Jesus and accept His mission, will you fulfill your responsibility to undertake the journey of discipleship by carrying on the mission of Jesus, even if you have failed in the past?

Your response: ______________________________________________________________________


CHRISTIAN UNITY Kamal Kumar G.

“Christian unity includes affectionate love, not just sacrifice for those you don’t like.”

John Piper

We all are prone to think, “I alone see things clearly and everyone else is a bit off.” I wonder how people can be so blind as not to see things my way!

As all of us who are married know, when you put into close contact two individuals from different backgrounds, different personalities, and different genders, sooner or later there will be misunderstandings and conflict. If you add children, the potential for problems increases. If you expand the numbers to 30 or 50 or more in a local church then you can expect that the potential for conflict is at the alert stage!

Unity is Hard

How can we, as sinful and selfish people, gather together, not with the forced unity that denies differences, overlooks difficulty, or compromises the message of the gospel, but with unity that preserves the message of the gospel and acts as a compelling testimony to its value?

How can we love people who make us feel uncomfortable because they are so different from us?

1. GOD’S GOAL FOR THE CHURCH—UNITY (EPHESIANS 3-4)

Unlocking the Mystery of the Gospel

What is this mystery that Paul understands so well?

The mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.The hatred and enmity which had existed between them for centuries is overcome in the gospel. As Paul put it earlier in 2:14, Christ has “broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” between Jews and Gentiles.

The Purpose of Gospel Unity

why is unity in the gospel so important?

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.(3:10)

Unity Applied

verses 4:2-3, where Paul talks about what should characterize our relationships in the church:


Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Things to Remember

First, the unity of the church is central to the message of the gospel.

Second, church unity showcases the wisdom of God.

Third, cultivating unity is our responsibility as church members.

Unity All Through the Bible

Jesus’ words in John 13:34-35:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 17:23

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (v. 23)

Unity is Not Just an Option

1 John 4:20:

If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

we need to realize that focusing on “my individual life as a Christian” is fundamentally wrong-headed. God accomplishes his purposes in believers primarily corporately, not individually. God will fulfill his purpose for the church as it acts in unity, as a community of believers.

2. THE RIGHT KIND OF UNITYPeople have understood the Bible’s call for Christian unity in many different and conflicting ways. So what do we mean, exactly, when we talk about Christian unity?

One Extreme—Unity at All Cost

Some people say that Christian unity means that all people who call themselves Christians should organize together institutionally, or at least cooperate together as a single body of believers. The problem with Christianity, they say, is that our doctrinal disagreements—between Catholics and Protestants.

The Other Extreme—No Unity At All

At the other extreme are those Christians for whom unity is almost a bad word. Such separatists may be right to regard the kind of ecumenism that we just considered as confusing and contrary to gospel purposes. But these separatists can go too far, declaring that they will share Christian fellowship only with those who agree with them on every point of doctrine.

Avoiding the Extremes—True Christian Unity


Paul talks about in Ephesians is to think of it in terms of an action, a purpose, a source, and a place.

1. The action that defines Christian unity is love.

In particular, it is love for our brothers and sisters in Christ that crosses worldly boundaries.

Matthew 5:46.

If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

2.The purpose of Christian unity is the glory of God in the vindication of his gospel

The crucial point in determining whether we may unite with another group of people and describe it as Christian unity. Is this other church or organization laboring for the same God as we are? Are they seeking to proclaim and vindicate the same gospel? Or are there fundamental differences that will cause people to believe in a different gospel altogether?

3. The source of Christian unity is the love of Christ.

As John puts it, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Real Christian unity has at its root a deep understanding that we are forgiven in Christ.When Christ’s love for us is the source of our love for one another, that is a supernatural love, one that can only be explained by the power of God working in us.

4. Finally, the place where Christian unity is primarily worked out is the local church.

It is in the local church that we learn to rejoice with people with whom we may not naturally rejoice, and to weep with people with whom we may not naturally weep. In the local church we learn to share our lives with people who share one profound love with us: the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who has forgiven us of our sin.

Understanding all that, we might define Christian unity like this:

True Christian unity is found in God-glorifying, gospel-revealing love for all brothers and sisters in Christ, fueled by our forgiveness in Christ that expresses itself most clearly in the assembly of the local church.

3. THE BENEFITS OF UNITYEncouragement

The author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 10:23-25:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

These verses begin with a stirring call—to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. That’s really hard to do, which is exactly why God has written these words not to you as


"In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity."- Richard Baxter

"God's family, which comes into being by regeneration, is more central and more lasting than the human family that comes into being by procreation."- John Piper

an individual, but to us as a church. Our life together as a church is important because God knows we’re not self-motivated all the time. We need each other’s prayer, correction, and encouragement so that we may love each other. This type of encouragement cannot happen in an atmosphere of dissension and strife. It happens when there is unity.

CONCLUSION

A still sinful people can display both the love and holiness of God as they live in gospel unity: a unity that doesn’t come from white washing sin, but calls it what it is—sin; but a unity that’s born of the forgiveness of sin—the forgiveness of Christ which we both proclaim and extend to one another.unity that proclaims Jesus Christ’s greatness to the people around us because it flows from and celebrates God’s work of redemption.


CHRISTIAN CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS NATION BUILDING L Saravanan


Notes:


Reviews, Comments and Commitments

1. How do you rate the camp 2016

Excellent Good Yet to improve

1. Topics

a. Bible based teachings

b. Contemporary issues

c. The practical applications

d. Group discussions

e. Question and answers

2. Group related programme

a. Prayer time

b. Talent time

c. Songs

d. Book reviews

e. Quiz

3. General arrangements

a. Transportation arrangements

b. Food and accommodation

c. Fellowship time

d. Games and entertainments

2. The following topics and thoughts from of this camp was most useful to mea.b. c.

3. I wish for the following changes in my personal life and look for God’s helpa. b.


Documents

Bible Camp 2019 - churchatvelachery.files.wordpress.com€¦ · Web view27.01.2019 · 2 |General Camp:Jan. 25-27,2019 Pillar Campus , Madurai,TAMIL NADU. Bible Camp 2019. 25th