AN OUTING WITH THE YOUTH LEADERS OF N.C.F AT WONG GRADEN,POLICE BAZAR

MISSION SUNDAY (SHILLONG NORTH EVANGELICAL UNION) - MAY 27,2007

“Every Christian is a missionary both at home and abroad"

"UESI seeks to evangelise post-matric students in India, nurture them as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may serve the Church and Society".

The day of Pentecost’ was "the natal day of the Christian church and the inauguration day of world wide missions which constituted the church's great God given task"

Dan 12:4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."

There are 30,000 verses in the whole bible.

As we look around there are two kingdom themes running through the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history though it contains history.

1. The finished work of Christ ( Redemption)

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel."

It is finished but ongoing

2. The Unfinished work of Christ (World Missions)

The supreme task of the fellowship is the evangelization of the world.

When God loved, He loved the world.

When He gave His Son, He gave His Son for a world.

When Jesus Christ died, He died for a World.

God’s vision is a World Vision.

So many of us are localized in our outlook we see only our own community, our own village or town and we never see beyond.

William Booth founder of the Salvation army was asked by the King of England what the ruling force of his life was, he replied, “Sir, some men’s passion is for gold, other men’s passion is for fame but my passion for souls.”

Gen 12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing;

Gen 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

This condensed version of the Abrahamic covenant is found 5 times in Genesis and more than 395 times through out the Old Testament.

Points to Note:

1. The blessing refers primarily to salvation (Ps 67:1-2 “God be gracious to us and bless us, {And} cause His face to shine upon us-- Selah.That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.”)
2. God will bless the people of the earth through His people- not apart from them.
3. A TWO-FOLD CHALLENGE

A A “peoples” challenge- people refers to ethnic groups (NT ethne- nations ( ethnic groups)

A A geographical challenge- (Gen 28:14 "Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.)-NORTH,SOUTH, EAST WEST.

“‘For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
— Malachi 1:11 (author’s emphasis)

HISTORIC OVERVIEW

AD 400- AD 800

L New enemies- stagnation, syncretism, loss of missionary zeal

L New solutions- Monasticism. It produces renewal and a missionary movement.

L Methods- prayer, discipline, character, serious bible study, community service, and preaching (power encounter)

L RESULT: Europe was reached with the gospel.

AD 800- AD 1600

L New Enemies: Vikings & Islam

· The Christian faith conquered the Vikings (they turned the other cheeks)

· The church failed miserably to conquer the Muslims (they responded with the sword)

POINT OF INTEREST:

9. Lay movements emerged to recover the ideals of early Christianity.

THE MORAVIANS

· A community of refugees based in Germany led by Count Zingerdorf

· Experienced a revival of 1727

· Began sending out missionaries in 1732

· Within 25 years, they had sent out 100 missionaries (More than protestant church had sent in the first two centuries of the Reformation.

· Rallying cry : “ May the lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering”

· They had a prayer chain that went for 100 years (24 hrs/7 days a week)

THE REDISCOVERY OF MISSIONS (END OF 18^TH CENTURY)

William Carey, the father of Modern missions

ü He challenged the church to missions

ü Started the first mission agency

What happened?

1. The great century of Protestant expansion (the 19^th century)

It was William Carey, father of the modern world evangelization era who said: "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.";

2. The Amazing growth of the Non- Western Church in the 20^th Century.

3. The sending of the Missionaries from N.E.India (21^st century)

"You are not his witnesses because of the number of souls that you may have saved or won to the Lord, or because you have been a Christian for ten years or for two days. You are his witness because you belong to God. You and I have God's last name; we are in Christ."

It is the history of disobedient Churches and an unfinished task. And yet God has used even those disobedient Churches to do great things ... Missionaries have on the whole been a feeble folk, not very wise, not very holy, not very patient. They have broken most of the commandments and have fallen into every conceivable mistake. And yet God has used their weakness to bring into existence a universal Church.1 (Stephen Neill, The Unfinished Task (London: Lutherworth Press, 1957), pp. 221-222.)

1ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY (MEMORIAL & THANKSGIVING SERVICE OF MR FREEDY NONGDHAR(YOUNGEST UNCLE)-MAY 27,2007

LEGACY! (MESSAGE PREACHED BY PRABHAT THAPA)

Today, we have gathered here to remember and give thanks for Kaka, baba, Bara, bhai, daju who has gone to God. This kind of celebration offers us an opportunity to consider the legacies that we have received from our loved ones,

The legacy of a hero is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example (Benjamin Disraeli)

lEGACY- A gift by wills, bequest, inheritance

When I think of a legacy, I am reminded of the values, traditions, and heritage that have been passed down in my family. A legacy that I, in turn, will pass on to my children and generations that follows.

Everyone leaves a legacy whether it is intentional or not. Those who are more intentionally about usually leaves a better legacy behind. In essence, everything you are and possess today, whether good or bad is your legacy

Now, there are various types of legacies. Some are more tangible. Some are less tangible. A bequest distributed to an heir through a deceased person’s will is an example of a more tangible legacy that one might leave to an heir, while the spiritual gifts that the Apostle Paul describes in today’s Epistle lesson are an example of less tangible legacies.

For persons of faith, each type of legacy offers an occasion for reflection, prayer, and discernment today. Let’s begin with the more tangible, such as wills and estates, and move down the continuum to the less tangible legacies, such as our spiritual inheritance.

Writing in Ephesians 1:11-14, Paul explains that we have received a spiritual legacy from Christ, in accordance with God’s purposes, so that our lives might give glory to God.

"A good man," says Proverbs 13:22, "leaves an inheritance to his children's children." Leaving a material and financial inheritance in a wise manner is good stewardship and can be a great blessing to your heirs. But have you considered ways to leave an inheritance to your family that will have a more direct spiritual impact on them

As I remember Kaka he made two decisions:

1. First committing his life to Jesus and walking in the wisdom and healing that only God can give.

2. Second making a conscious decisions to instill certain principles into his children lives

These spiritual lives we're trying to simplify aren't lived for ourselves only. We also bear responsibility to influence others spiritually, especially the members of our own family.

Dan 12:3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

What is the legacy you are leaving behind for your loved ones?

Prov 27:24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown {endure} to all generations.

Abraham left a legacy of faith and trust in the Lord.

Is 41:8 "But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,

How can we remember Kancha Kaka?

1. He loved God first.

2. He was a giver

3. He was a encourager

4. He honored God with his life

5. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

6. He contributed to the community

7. He consistently helped others- He always looked for people to help

The all-important legacy we can leave for our families is not a comfortable home and a large income. The greatest legacy is a spiritual one that no amount of money can buy.

It is an example of unwavering trust in God’s love and wisdom. It is also an example of steadfast endurance, courage, patience, and hope for eternity when all hope in this world is gone.

“Faithful parents never carve their name in marbled columns built on earthly fame. They build instead a legacy that springs out of a life lived for the King of Kings”

“A life lived for Christ is the best inheritance we can leave for our children”- I Cor11:1

PENTECOST- MAY 27,2007

PENTECOST- THE COMING OF THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT

In Luke 24:51 we read "While He blessed them……………. He was parted from them and carried up into heaven" Our Savior was doing much the same thing just before He ascended to heaven. Rather than weep as they saw him leave, His disciples were filled with great joy, even though they understood only dimly how they would experience His blessing. But Jesus would soon send the Holy Spirit to indwell them (Acts 1-2)

" But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:8)

In the Acts of the Apostles 1:3 we read that, "To whom He also showed Himself alive after His passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:" (Acts 1:3, ASV) .

Following the resurrection of our Lord from the tomb, He was seen of them for forty days. And there came a ten-day prayer meeting after His ascension, and if you add forty to ten you make fifty, and you arrive at the day of Pentecost, which we call whit Sunday and is observed fifty days after Easter. Good Friday, when Jesus died, was the fulfillment of a great portion of Old Testament prophecy; but Pentecost was the fulfillment of the promises of the Lord Jesus, which He gave us in the gospels.

God’s greatest gift to the Church was Pentecost.

God’s greatest weapon for counteracting sin was Pentecost.

God’s greatest counter-attack against all the power of evil is the spirit filled Christian.

God’s greatest answer to the need of you life is a real experience of the Holy Spirit.

$ What is Pentecost?

The better we understand the working at Pentecost, the better we understand and experience His power.

Pentecost, means 'fiftieth' that we remember today, has its roots in an agricultural setting. Fifty days after Passover, Jewish farmers celebrated the Feast of Weeks (Lev 23:15-22) in which they recognized the hand of God who gave the crops.

Centuries later the Lord chose the day of Pentecost to celebrate a new harvest. Fifty days after Passover the Holy Spirit came on small groups of believers and moved through Jerusalem bringing in a different kind of crop. These firstfruits were men, women and children added to the church (Acts 2:38-46)

à Pentecost historical farming connections reminds us a world of lost souls is ready for harvest (John 4:35). As believers we are God's fruit but we are commanded to be his farmers as well.

Are we helping to bring in the new harvest? Without the Holy Spirit there will be no harvest. (Lev 23:17)

à At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father into the world. Jesus promised His disciples that when he left this earth He would send Someone else to be with them.

"If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him to you"(John 16:7)

"When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth"(John 1&6: 13)

The word translated "Helper"or "Comforter" means, "called to one's side or aid". Bible scholar W.E.Vine says that it signifies “Someone who can be to us what Christ was to His disciples. Though He's invisible to our eyes, the Holy Spirit is with us everyday, just as Jesus walked with His disciples on earth. He keeps us honest focused, and encouraged so that we too can glorify God.”

Jesus provided for the extension of His presence co-equally with the church's missionary activities, which was fulfilled in the coming of the Holy Spirit. By Christ’s ascension and the Holy Spirit’s descent Christ extended His bodily presence with His disciples at Jerusalem for His spiritual presence with His disciples everywhere. The Holy Spirit then was poured out to the church. The church was baptized with the Holy Spirit and mission was initiated by the Holy Spirit in and through the church.

On the Feast of the first Fruits, the priest waved a sheaf of grain before the Lord, but on Pentecost , he presented two loaves of bread. Why? Because at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the believers and united them into one body. The Jewish believers received this filling at Pentecost, and the Gentile believers in the home of Cornelius.

This explains the presence of two loaves of bread (1 Cor 10:17) The fact that there was leaven (yeast) in the loaves indicates the presence of sin in the church on earth. The church will not be perfect until it gets to heaven.

We must not conclude that this ten day prayer meeting brought about the miracles of Pentecost, or that we today may pray as they did and experience "another Pentecost" Like our Lord's death at Calvary, Pentecost was a one for all event that will not be repeated. The church may experience new fillings of the spirit, and certain patient prayer is essential element to spiritual power, but we would not ask for another Pentecost any more than we would ask for another Calvary.

Therefore, the day of Pentecost’ was "the natal day of the Christian church and the inauguration day of world wide missions which constituted the church's great God given task". Things took a significant turn when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost (Acts 2:4). The Holy Spirit baptized them and it was the act of God by which He identified believers with the exalted head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ.The coming of the Spirit was the fulfillment of the prediction of John the Baptist (Luke 3:15-16) and the promise of Jesus before He was taken to heaven (24:19). It was also the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies recorded in Joel 2:28-29 (Acts 2:18-19). In the book of Acts "When the Holy Spirit is come and ye shall receive power and........end of the earth"(Acts1: 8). The power of the Holy Spirit initiated them to go out and preach as well as heal.

'The proclamation of the Kingdom of God in its witness to Jesus, is guided and empowered by the self same Spirit that directed and supported Jesus Ministry!.

It was resurrection that made the disciples witnesses. Pentecost provided the power to make their witness effective. It was not a coincidence that Christian mission began at Pentecost. “The Spirit was necessary as the divine spark to kindle the flame that was to produce the power, and as the vital breath to fail the sails that were to impel and initiate the gospel ship around the world.”

As the disciples were filled with the Spirit which means the same as "baptism of the Holy Spirit"and immediately at that time they begin to speak in tongues thereafter they went everywhere preaching the word. The Spirit in Acts is ultimately involved with the apostolic witness. As G.W. Peters states

" The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles made all the difference, for it fashioned them into men of God and Apostles. Boldly they confessed that they were witnesses of God's redemptive events in Christ emphasizing particularly the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ".

The enduring presence of Christ in and through the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples in turn to preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit initiated Peter and John to stand before the Sanhedrin and witness boldly about the name of Jesus (Acts4: 8-11) and they could do because they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts4: 8) The Holy Spirit initiated and guided the apostles where they should go and how they should proceed. The Holy Spirit directed Philip in encountering with the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8; 26,29,39)

The saintly Andrew Murray wrote such heart-searching words as these

" if there is to be any hope of working like the church of Pentecost, we must have a new era in missions. There must be a real restoration of the Pentecostal life and power in the church at home....... The great commission was given in connection with Pentecost and its fulfillment was made entirely dependent on it....... The Pentecostal commission can only be carried out by a Pentecostal church, in Pentecostal power"

Illus.: A man who strolled out of a hardware store with a smile on his face and a brand new chainsaw in his hands. He was told it could cut down five big oaks in an hour. Twenty-four hours later, however, his smile was gone. Frustrated, he was back in the store complaining that the saw would never cut five trees in an hour "It took me all day to down five trees," he said.

Puzzled the storeowner stepped outside with the saw, gave the cord a swift pull, and fired out the steel toothedbeast. Its deafening roar sent the customer stumbling to get away. "What's that noise?"He grasped.

It's ridiculous for someone to try to cut down trees with a chainsaw without starting it up. But it's how foolish we are as Christian when we try to live for Christ in our own strength. We get tired and spiritually exhausted when we try to work things out on our own terms and according to our own schedule. We fail to draw on the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us (Romans 8:9-10) Yet His presence can become real and powerful when we rely on Him

The Holy Spirit is the Christian's power supply.

In the present century the history of the church has such a wide spread interest in moving beyond creeds and theology to a personal experience of the Holy Spirit in everyday life sweeping over the people of God to a degree we have been seeing over the last two decades or so.

Although Jesus has gone away, the Holy Spirit makes real to us His presence so that we too can worship, pray and witness as His disciples did centuries ago.

N.E.INDIA D.A.W.N SHILLONG MEETING;PASTORAL CENTER,SHILLONG

STUDENT'S RETREAT - ST GEORGE SECONDARY SCHOOL,SHILLONG

THEME: COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE:
TOPICS:

• time management
• Problems- in &out ( Teach me to survive)
• Team work.
  

BE A LINE –CROSSER

Shared in the Shillong Nepali Christian Leaders prayer meeting (May 12,2007)

BE A LINE –CROSSER

Heb 11:8-19

The word ‘barrier’ is found 60 times in the scripture. There are three main barriers:-

1. Mental barrier

2. Cultural barrier

3. Spiritual barrier

Abraham was a line crosser- it was an exciting, great adventure. What are some of the lines that Abraham had to cross:-

Q Line of UNKNOWN: - “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb 11:8)- Life becomes boring if we cross the line of known. We should do things not done before. Learn to trust God. Faith works! Step across the line of unknown like Abraham.

Q Step beyond the line of the IMPOSSIBLE: - “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” (Heb 11:11)- There are three words I hate~ impossible! Difficult! Cannot be done! As C.H. Spurgeon said “ God delights in Impossibilities”

Q Willing to cross the line of POSITIVE AFFIRMATION:- Don’t expect people to appreciate you. Look for Trench Buddies. God has something to do. I want to change direction of people’s lives- All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Heb 11:13)

Abraham was a visionary. David Living Stone- 30 years of ministry- not even 30 people were saved- Africa pre-dominantly Christian.

Q Line of the PULL OF THE WORLD:- when you cross the line , people will try to pull you back eg family , friends. Your faith will be tested. However, ht further you cross the line, the less the pull.

Gal 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Conclusion: The moment you stop growing you start shrinking.