Reflections

APOSTOLATE: CALL FOR GOOD EXAMPLE 1 Timothy 3:1-10 "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task" 1 Timothy 3:1  The letter Paul wrote to Timothy contains clear guidelines on matters of church organization and pastoral responsibilities. In the Biblical text for today, Paul is primarily talking about the selection of overseers and deacons, but these characteristics expected of all Christians, as we are called to serve the church in various roles and capacities, Paul gives emphasis to faith, character and family values as requirements for this noble task (V.1) to lead and mould a society based on kingdom values. I.    Faith : Paul says, "an Overseer must be able to teach" (V.2) and "Deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience" (V.9). In other words, the primary qualification that is required for a Christian to lead and guide others is knowing the Word of God and having faith i...

Sanctity of Mutuality John 15:1-11 "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch on bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me". (John 15:4)   When we think of the environment, do we realize how interdependent we are with the environment? Specifically, do we recognize that though we are stewards of the environment most of us do not take proper care of the environment? Without oxygen, plants, water, etc. can we survive? Similarly, our relationship with Christ is such that we cannot survive without abiding in Him. Abide In Him — a relationship of inter- dependence in nature: Our portion today reminds us of the mutual relationship Christ has with us His children. As we are reminded throughout the gospels, Christ expects us to bear fruit for His kingdom. However, in this passage, we are reminded that Christ is the true vine and for a vine to truly flourish, its branches must bear fruit, and the fruit it produ...

Apostle- A Man with a Message Romans 1:1-7 From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach His Good News" (Romans 1:1) The book of Romans was written to the Christians in Rome by the apostle Paul. The primary theme of the Book of Romans is Salvation. In verse one of our text Paul introduces himself to the people of Rome in two ways: 1. As a Servant of Christ: Paul is a "bond slave" - a person owned by another. Paul belongs to Jesus Christ, and he was obligated to serve Him. 2. As an Apostle Called by Jesus Christ: An apostle is one who has been sent forth with a message, one delegated with authority to proclaim that message and for Paul it was the Good News. When he addresses the Ephesian believers also, he introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. In both the cases he is an apostle- a spokesman for God. How did Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle? It was through a confrontation with t...

New Creation in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here. (2 Cor. 5:17)   New Creation: We are constantly bombarded with the need for change, new goods, new look, and new ways of thinking. The market place is inviting us to replace old with new, whether it is the newest gadget or a cosmetic surgery. Yes, today we can buy the newest goods, access the newest information, and have a total makeover in the blink of an eye. However, these acquisitions are external and temporary. So, how do we get an internal change that is permanent? Apostle Paul says we can have a new life only if we experience a transformation through Christ. Then we become a new creation. The Greek word for creation is 'Poiesis.  It means 'being something that was not there before'. When we become a new person in Christ, we are totally transformed; not reformed, or rehabilitated, or re-educated. Paul is telling us t...

MUTUALITY WITH COWORKERS Colossians 3:22-25 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. (Col.3: 22)   This epistle written by Paul to the church at Colossae is one of the four prison epistles. The passage involves the following four key aspects: Obedience to authority: Human nature naturally tends to resent authority but the Bible clearly sets parameters of obedience to persons in authority. In our personal and professional lives we are required to work with integrity and honesty not just when we are in the 'public eye' but it should be part of the very fabric of our nature as Christians. Obedience in all aspects of our lives involves complete submission to the will of our Father. Do we compartmentalize our lives so that we are obedient when it suits our desires? Sincerity: Is our attitude one of being Sunday Christians? The definition of ...

MUTUALITY BETWEEN ONE ANOTHER John 13: 34-35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)   Love as a Command not a suggestion Mother Teresa once said, "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." We all yearn to be loved. Being loved is an intricate value of humanity. To go around not feeling loved is like walking in the desert without water. Christ understood that, and that is why His love was not simply to the teachers of the law, or to wealth, or stature. Christ extended His love to those that were not loved. He loved the tax collectors, the prostitutes, and the thief on the cross. That is why in this passage we see Christ giving this commandment. He is not requesting or suggesting, rather He is commanding His disciples and us to love one another. Love should be embedded within us In verse 35, Jesus points out how we are to be identified as His disciples. It is by lov...

Power of Earnest Prayer Acts 13:1-12 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Acts 13:2   Example of the Praying Church: God calls different people at different times to proclaim the word of God. Sometimes He calls the "least" of our brothers to declare his glory and power. In Acts 13:2-3 we examine Barnabas and Paul's missionary work and return to Jerusalem. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Paul for the work which I have called them." They then fasted and prayed, the elders placed their hands on them and sent them off. The power of prayer and the act of God are evident here. The Holy Spirit spoke and chose both Paul and Barnabas to leave Jerusalem f...