Church Of The Lost Sheep

" We always carry around in our bodies the reality of the brutal death  and suffering  of Jesus. As a result, His  resurrection  life  rises and  reveals its wondrous power in our bodies as well. For while we live, we are constantly handed over to death on account of Jesus so that His life may be revealed even in our mortal bodies of flesh. So death is constantly at work in us, but life is working in you. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 in the Voice Bible Version [This is the 7th lesson of this series] Apostle Paul wrote much about how Christ followers share in Christ's suffering and death and in His glorious resurrection. He had to, because followers of Christ who were spread out in different places have to know. This is still the case today. From the previous message , we know that it is not easy living the Christian life. But just imagine how life is for the non-Christian? It is much harder and this is why so many have to turn to every other thing (except God) to survive. Suff

"We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 in the Voice Bible Version [This is the 6th lesson of this series] Continuing from the previous lesson , the analogy given by Apostle Paul is that as Christ followers, we are cracked pots (fragile cooking vessels) containing the Holy Spirit of God. [Yes we can laugh at how people call Christians crackpots, because they are, cracked pots] "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Christians sing about this. The daily pressures of life, comes at anyone from all sides. Like a cooking pot, there is heat from the fire and also from all sides. Storms come and go, raining on our parade

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22 Copy of a portion of Paul's letters Paul’s Final Advice If we keep on reading and studying the Book of Acts , we will get a very good idea of how Paul and his missionary team help plant the churches in Europe. In chapter 16, it is rec

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:5-7 Time and time again, we hear that Jesus came to serve and not to be served ( Matthew 20:28 ). His very attitude reflects who He is. He knows fully well who He is. He is comfortable in His own skin. He isn't insecure. He doesn't look for nor need the approval of others, the accolades, the applause. He doesn't need the limelight. In fact, He is the light. He shines through the darkness. He reveals everything. And that is the problem with Christians throughout the history of Christianity, many do not know who they are in Christ but when they do, many go overboard take the mindset that they are more than who they really are. Some even thinking they can do no wrong. Easy Play And I don't blam

Upside Down or Right Side Up "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away--it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6 Jesus of Nazareth gave daily teachings to anyone willing to listen. He would speak anywhere, to anyone. People would come and go, bring him people, ask him questions and He would converse with them. He would heal people. Teach them. Give them hope. Lift their spirits up. And feed them. On one such occasion, He was asked a question and He called a child up. Then as we have read in the passage above, He said woe to anyone causing one of this little ones to stumble, as it will not go well with them. Baby Believers Jesus said, one must be reborn (born again/renewed/changed from the inside out) and become like babies again. In essence, relearning everything like a little child -- eating, drinking, speaking, thinking and doing everyth

Love Is From God ""My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. "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." Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" John 13:33-38 I just love Peter, the apostle. He is so like us, normal people -- one who sometimes shoots his mouth off, mostly being full of himself. And so unlike Jesus. And when Peter speaks like

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my

"Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.” Luke 10:18-20 MSG In the bible there are two interesting stories that is worth mentioning together. First, is the story of two sisters -- Mary and Martha, and you can read that in Luke 10:38-42. The second, is the story of two brothers (the first siblings) -- Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:3-5. If you are like me, you probably have a few questions regarding these two stories. If you unfamiliar with or have forgotten their stories, you can read those verses first; Mary and Martha Cain and Abel To me, it was hard to see why Martha was rebuked by