Worship Exhortations

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

he Son of God who changed us as sons of God: Many people do not believe in the “Son of God”, the Lord Jesus Christ. But we know that without Him, we could not have become the “sons of God”. We know the love of the Father, when He gave His only begotten Son to us (John 3:16), that we should not perish but have everlasting life. Without His Son, we can not have everlasting life.

The relationship between the Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ is not earthly – as we have the relationship between father and son. Lord Jesus Christ, as the Son, is the 1) brightness of the Father’s glory and 2) image of Father’s Person.  We see our God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost – God in three persons – in relation to us (the mankind) only.

Jesus Christ, as the Son, 1) took a likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) and 2) became like one among us (as one among the children of Abraham, taking part in flesh and blood, Hebrews 2: 14-17). Through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and by believing in Him, we have become the sons (children) of God – not by flesh and blood and not by the will of man, but by God). We are not only changed as children of God now, but we are going to be changed in to the likeness of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  Therefore, Let us worship the Lord because He has changed us as the sons (children) of God – who once were the children of wrath – and going to change us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Table Exhortations

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3).

e are being changed: Through the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we have become the sons of God (justification) and we have the hope that we will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, reflecting the nature of God (glorification). But, before our glorification (transformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, ), we are being transformed (or sanctified or being purified) in our lives at present – And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3). This transformation (sanctification) is carried out by the God of Holy Spirit in us through the Word of God, in the church and by the sprinkling blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:26-27; John 17:17; John 15:2; 1 Peter 1:2 and Hebrews 10:22).

Whenever we gather around the Table of the Lord, 1) we must remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross (1 Corinthians 11: 24-25, and 2) we have a privilege to set-right things in our lives (1 Corinthians 11:28). Such privilege we do not get at other places or in other occasions. Therefore, do not neglect the time of worship and breaking of bread on Lord’s day. As we are going to the transformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God to possess the nature of God, we must purify ourselves. This is done in us,  as we are brought under the light of the Word of God. The Spirit of God convicts us of our failures, mistakes and sins through the Word of God. We should confess them before the Lord and be cleaned by the sprinkling blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:7). We must have an increasing desire for righteousness of God and holiness. As we approach the Table of the Lord, may the work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and the sprinkling blood of Jesus Christ be done to us in purifying us.

Final Exhortations

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).

ook up and Lift up your heads – your redemption is drawing near: Many people are worried or excited about many things that are happening in this month. Probably, you might have heard about the super moon or blood moon (lunar eclipse). The reason for the worry in the hearts of the people is because, 1) four lunar eclipses are happening in sequence in 2014-15 (they call this phenomenon as tetrad lunar eclipse), 2) moon comes (on 28th September) closer to the Earth during the time of eclipse  and 3) these eclipses falling on the Jewish festival days (which are rare events).

There are seven Jewish festivals in a year – Passover is the first one and the feast of the tabernacles is the last festival. In 2014, the first lunar eclipse came during the Passover festival (in April) and the second one came during the feast of tabernacles (in October). Same sequence of events is happening in this year also. The fourth eclipse is coming during the feast of tabernacles (on September 28th). On the same day, Pope is also meeting the world leaders, which is making many to be worried or excited. Some people are predicting that Lord Jesus Christ is coming on that day.

Actually, Jesus Christ’s second coming will not be according to the man’s prediction but will be according to God’s calendar. However, these events such as Russians’ presence in the middle east; or signs in heavens (in sun and moon); or world leaders trying to sign a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine; or the way sin is spreading, should make us to understand clearly that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. Christ may come at any time on any day. We should be ready for His coming. Those who have not accepted the Jesus Christ as their Saviour should be saved and must not delay accepting Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus Christ, repent and confess your sins. Those who are postponing the baptisms, should testify in the waters of baptism.

..Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36

All those who are following the Lord, we must spend more time with the Word of God and be watchful in prayer that we may not fall into the traps of the Devil – we should be alert that our hearts should not be overcharged with eating, drunkenness or with the cares of this world.   Then only, we can rejoice because our Lord Jesus Christ (the One who loved us and gave Himself for us) is coming for us, while fear is there in the hearts of all the people of world, – Look up (be strong), Lift up your heads (rejoice) your redemption is drawing near!