Reflections

The Supremacy of the Word of God Galatians 1:6-9   Varghese Thomas Long Island MTC, New York 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ .   Paul was amazed at the speed with which some people were rejecting the gospel they first believed. In verse 12, he asserts the authenticity of his message, “I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ”. His gospel was that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15: 3 – 4). Perversion of gospel was not limited to Paul’s time. Over the years since then, the news of salvation has been turned into different gospel messages. Various te...

The Supremacy of the Word of God 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Dr. Julie Sadhu Bethel MTC, Illinois 16  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17  so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. Today’s passage is taken from Paul’s second letter to Timothy while he lay in a Roman prison, awaiting execution. He was nearing the end of his ministry and knew that death was near. He wrote this letter to Timothy, his spiritual son, exhorting him to continue in the faith and to persevere in the good work of sharing the gospel.  In the preceding verses, he reminds Timothy of how a Christian ought to conduct themselves, pursuing righteousness, faith and love, and sharing the gospel boldly but gently and respectfully. He reminds him that the last days will be filled with scoffers who will “have a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5, NIV). ...

The Supremacy of the Word of God Exodus 7:1-7   Susan John San Francisco MTC, CA 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.”   When Joseph was a Prime minister in Egypt, all his family(70) came to Egypt because of the famine in Canaan.  After  four hundred years, they became exceedingly numerous.  Pharaoh feared that if war were to break out, the Israelites would fight against them and leave the country.  So he decided to mistreat them with hard work and genocide.  But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.  The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out to God and He heard their cries and remembered His covenant with the Patriarchs.  So God called Moses to deliver His people from their bondage.  God calls us to be a co-worker with Him.  Moses tried to resist this call, giving five lam...

THE SUPREMACY OF THE WORD OF GOD 1 Peter 1: 22 – 2: 10 Maria Thomas Benjamin Long Island MTC, New York. HAPPY 70th INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY  1 Peter 1: 25: “but the word of the Lord stands forever” In the aforementioned passage, Peter is writing to Jewish Christians who were driven out of Jerusalem during the reign of Emperor Nero. Peter draws upon Old Testament texts; familiar to Jews (Psalm 118:22, Isa 8:14); to remind them that the church does not cancel the Jewish heritage, but fulfills it.   By doing so, he reminds them of the importance of the Word.  The Jewish Christians that were driven out of Jerusalem are newborns in their faith and needed to “grow up in their salvation”.  Peter guides the outcast to rely on God’s word for spiritual maturity.  Imagine being homeless, losing all that you have saved up for, and roaming in search for shelter.  Most of us would become depressed, dwelling on our loss or perhaps burdened b...

The Supremacy of the Word of God Psalm 119:105-112   Manju Manoj W/O of Rev. Manoj Idiculla Carmel MTC, Boston MA Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. vs.105-106   The Word of God is a lamp unto my feet: The word of God is like a torch that leads a person in a dark night. It shows him the way; it prevents him stumbling over obstacles, or falling down, or wandering off into paths which would lead him into danger. The light makes the person to see the path which he has to go so that he may not go astray. The Word of God is a light unto my path: The same idea is much more clearly presented here. The light helps the person to see the path and also makes him aware about any danger in his path. The Word of God gi...

The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana St. Luke 22:7-20   Philip Manuel and Laila Anie Philip Carmel MTC, Boston MA “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” v. 19b Jesus was having His “Last Supper” with His 12 disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem before His crucifixion. This took place after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The “Last Supper” is commemorated by Christians every year on Maundy Thursday during the Passion Week. The “Last Supper” provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, the Christian Sacrament in which Jesus’ last meal with His disciples, according to the Gospels , is commemorated by the consecration of the bread and the cup. This Sacrament is also known as Holy Communion, Holy Qurbana or The Lord’s Supper by different denominations. I. THE PREPARATIONS: Like any other festival, The Feast of the Unleavened Bread called 'the Passover' required preparation. Jesus sent Peter and John, his two most trusted ...

The Sacrament of Holy Qurbana 1 Corinthians 10:15-17   Rev. Jaisen A. Thomas St. Thomas MTC Yonkers, NY "we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. "v.17 A four-year-old was in church when the wine and communion wafers were passed out. He was very interested in this, and started to get up. His mother leaned over and told him that he was not old enough to partake in the Communion.  Later, when the collection plate came by, he ignored it. His mother again leaned over and tried to coax the nickel out of him. He steadfastly refused, stating, “If I can’t eat, I’m not paying.” Often times, we take part in the Holy Qurbana without truly understanding the depth of its meaning.  It is a divine experience where God blesses and reminds us of His sacrificial death, our salvation and the calling upon the faithful.  Holy Qurbana, Commission to sacrifice: The word “Qurbana” means offering.  In 1 Cor. 10:16 it says, “Is not the cup ...