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Dear friends and prayer partners,
I urge you to pray for India, especially for the Church in two states, Orissa and Karnataka in the light of persecution that happens today. I add a letter sent by one of my friends recently for your information:
Dear Friends,
I trust most of you are aware of some of the events that are transpiring in certain parts of India -- where Christians are facing persecution.
What has happened (and continues to happen!) in the state of Orissa is beyond belief -- scores of Christians have been killed and thousands of homes and scores of churches have been destroyed. (You could check out "orissa burning" or "persecution india" on google). Our PM called it a "national disgrace."
In our state of Karnataka, Christian places of worship have been targetted. We have had to prepare for a possible attack on our campus! Christians have been and are being terrorised in many places - by well-organized and heavily funded (mostly from the US, it seems) radical Hindu groups - such as RSS and Bajrang Dal -- in league with their political supporters in the BJP party. Their accusation has been that Christians are engaged in "forced conversions." The actual fact being that there are Hindu outfits which are going around and forcibly "reconverting" Christians into Hindus, at the threat of their lives.
Unfortunately, this matter has not received its deserved attention in the Western media. With the Indian Prime Minister visiting the US - he will be in Washington DC, I think on the 25th -- I hope many people can get together and draw the attention of both the US and the Indian communities to this looming danger -- some parts of India sliding into anarchy where Christians may be systematically silenced.
May I request you to PLEASE PRAY and DO WHAT YOU CAN to spread awareness of this grave threat facing Christians in India. Please pread this message to your own friends and communities.
Also Jubilee Campaign is planning some protest/demonstration and I would like you to get in touch with Ann Buwalda who will provide you with news about the event in DC. (write her at jubilee@jubileecampaign.org or call her at 703-503-0791. There is a prayer rally in Lafayette square DC led by several Christian groups on the 25th -- those closeby can attend.
Only God can do something for the persecuted minority in this parts of India.
With love
Mathew
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Hello,
Greetings
I am so glad to announce the publishing of my new book on leadership titled, You Can Lead Effectively! by Xulon Press. You can grab your copies from the following sites:
http://www.xulonpress.com/book_detail.php?id=5817#
http://www.amazon.com/You-Lead-Effectively-Mathew-Philip/dp/160647250X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213763605&sr=1-2
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=You+Lead+Effectively%21
http://www.booksunlimited.ie/Books/Philip-Mathew/You-Can-Lead-Effectively!/9781606472507.htm
Thanks and God bless.
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Introduction
Song of Songs 3:5 reads as follows, “Daughters of Jerusalem I charge you By the gazelles and by the does of the field:Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” Bible talks about the purity and dignity of human love. God entrusted with his created human beings a lot of good qualities. One such quality is ‘sexual love.’ It is the quality to maintain intimate relationship, but this quality has been distorted due to human sin. We will see how God wants us to maintain the purity and dignity of human love.
Background
The book of the Song of Songs is love poetry. This is a series of poems that speaks of the passion, the commitment, and the struggle of two lovers. Both Jewish and Christian scholars had questioned the inclusion of the Song in the Bible from time to time. It is because of many explicit erotic descriptions in the Song. Their argument is that the Song talks about ‘lips’, ‘kisses’, ‘breasts’, ‘love’, but does not mention God even once. How could such a sexually explicit book be included in the Holy Scriptures? We must know that sometime in history, the Song enjoyed popularity and wide distribution among the Jews. The Song also received the endorsement of their Rabbis and religious leaders. The Song is, in many ways, like other ancient Near East love poetry.
The Difference!
We should know that the Song of Songs is not an ordinary love poem. It reflects a different set of theological and moral values from that of other ancient love poems. These values are consistent with those of the whole Bible. It is not a pornographic literary effort. It contains values found in the rest of the Bible. Therefore the Song is not a mere secular love song. It is a “God-breathed” like other Biblical books. It is right that it be included into the Canon. God wanted His people to know clearly how love should be expressed in their lives.
Bible & Sex
The sexuality in the Song should not come as a surprise. While the Bible gives emphasis to moral values, it also speaks of human sexuality. Right in the first book of the Bible, it tells us that God created sexual beings – male and female (Genesis 1:28). The purpose of the creation of sexual beings is clear – They are meant to have sexual union. The sexual union is not only for procreation, but also an experience of physical as well as spiritual unity. When Adam first met Eve, he expressed his excitement without any reservation or embarrassment: “This is bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh.” (Gen. 2:23). Genesis says that both were naked, but they were not ashamed (Gen. 2:24). God never considered sex “bad” or “shameful.” In fact, it is one of the things that make God’s creation “very good.”
Is Sexual pleasure dirty or naughty?
The Bible does not see sexual pleasure as a dirty or naughty thing. On the contrary it tells us to enjoy it. Proverbs.5:18-19 says, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” Why does the Bible, then, often give an impression that sex is “bad”? Well, this can be traced all the way to Genesis 3. In Eden the beauty of sexual union was marred by Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience. The couple was expelled from the Garden of Eden because of their disobedience to God’s command. Outside Eden, sex has been subjected to all sorts of abuse. The Bible records how sex was abused by Abraham (with Hagar); Judah (with Tamar); Leah & Rachel (to manipulate Jacob); David (with Bathsheba); Solomon (with his 1000 wives) and so on. Whether in the name of procreation or mere pleasure, sex has been misused, exploited, commercialized and even perverted. It is not sex itself that the Bible condemns, but the abuse of sex or illicit sex. God has meant, since the creation that sex is to be enjoyed within a parameter, that is, marriage. We see this parameter stated clearly in the Old Testament. In Moses’ law, sex is said to be maintained for marriage. For example, Deut. 22:13ff says that brides are required to show their virginity at their marriage. God repeats the same parameter in the New Testament – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer” (Heb. 13:4). This parameter is an indication and assurance that in the fallen world it is still possible to legitimately enjoy God’s gift of sex. To a Christian, it is more than legitimate. It is also part of the experience of Christ’s redemption. As Christ’s redemption includes all aspects of life – spiritual, emotional and physical – it is safe to say that sexual union is also redeemed. Thus The Song of Songs provides a picture of the redeemed sexuality. Its portrayal of love indicates the return of sex to Eden. And this happens only in the marriage bed. In a legitimate married life, there is no shame, fear, and tension. All sexual unions outside the frame work of marriage have had created a lot of havoc in the life of individuals, families, churches, and society. But God’s provision for human beings is great. Thus we see that human love has such high priority in God’s plan. That’s why God inspired the human author to devote a book just for it. Thus the Song of Songs is purely about the dignity and purity of sexual love.
The Purity of Sexual Love Verse5 (cf. 2:7) says that this love should not be aroused or awakened until it so desires. Out of the beloved’s (girl) experience of love comes wise admonition that love is not to be artificially stimulated. Utter spontaneity is essential to its genuine truth and beauty. That happens only in the marriage bed, and not in the harlot’s house. Going after anyone other than your married partner for sexual pleasure is sexual immorality. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God … For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” So everyone must patiently wait and control his or her body with the help of the Holy Spirit for the day of marriage for genuine sexual pleasure. Joseph of the Old Testament was very careful about sexual indulgence in his master’s house when he had to confront Potiphar’s wife. Let your marriage be honored by all, and the marriage bed be kept pure. Apostle Paul admonishes us that it is better to develop a permanent relationship with a wife or husband than to lapse into sexual sin.
Conclusion
The Song is very much relevant today! A lot of changes are happening around us due to modernization. Today we get our sex education from schools and have access to sex information on the Internet and other forms of media. Past generation expected virginity, many young people today think it is out of date. Culturally in many countries, pre-marital sex is still forbidden, but in reality it is a common secret to taste the forbidden fruit. It is also common knowledge that abortion and divorce rates are on the rise in many parts of the world. There comes the importance of the Song of Solomon! What does the Song teach us? The celebration of human intimacy can be enjoyed within a parameter, which is marriage. Until then, never arouse it or awaken it. Trust the Lord; He will help you in times of temptations and enticement. So, each one must control his or her body. Our body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord (1 Co.6:13). 1Co.6:18: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit …”
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Why the Resurrection of Christ is important?
Introduction
There are things that are important in our lives. A Job is important to make our lively hood, to get the insurance coverage, and to make a good credit history. Marriage is important to build up family, society, relationship and future. Likewise, something very important for a Christian is the fact of resurrection. Why the resurrection of Christ is important in the lives of believers? Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is important in our lives because:
1. Our Faith is anchored on the fact of Resurrection (vv. 1-11)
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central fact of the Christian faith. The entire structure of Christianity – any hope for eternal life and any meaning to human existence – stands or falls with Christ's resurrection. One of the purposes of Paul writing this letter to the Corinthians is to correct false teachings concerning the resurrection of Christ. Paul found some in the Corinthian church who were influenced by Greek philosophy and religion denying the resurrection of the body. He also found some others who were in the line of Sadducees (Matt. 22:23) saying that there was no resurrection. In his answer to these both errors, Paul recalls the resurrection of Jesus. The heart of the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (vv. 1-4). The gospel is simple and nothing to argue about it. What is the gospel? Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:8, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel." The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, that he was buried and that he was raised from the dead. What Paul preached to the Corinthians was that 'Jesus Christ and Him crucified.' The Corinthians received Paul's message as God's own Word, by which they are saved, continue in their faith, established and stand firm. They took their stand with God. So the gospel has the power to save us and establish us in our faith in Christ Jesus.
Is the resurrection story a myth or a fact? The fact of the resurrection is impossible for many modern people to accept. But the fact of His resurrection is the most important event of history and therefore, appropriately, is the most certain fact in all history. Paul talks about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. To prove the resurrection, he had to first of all, establish the fact of Jesus' death. It was because there were people who denied the physical death of Jesus Christ. They say that Jesus died spiritually. Some others say that Jesus did not actually die, but swooned on the Cross because of the weakness and heavy loss of blood (Swoon theory). The coolness of the tomb and the fragrance of the aromatic spices together with the hours of rest revived him. When he came back to his conscience, he emerged from the tomb, appeared to his disciples and led them to believe that he was raised from the dead. Paul brings out two lines of evidences for the death and resurrection of Christ: (1) Firstly he brings out the testimony of the Old Testament (Ps 16: 8-11; Isa 53:5-6). Paul argues that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Apostle John says in John 19:33 that soldiers made it sure that Jesus was already dead. They did not break his leg. John the apostle was the witness to this incident (19: 35). Then Paul establishes the fact that Jesus was buried – We see the account of Jesus' burial in Gospels. When Joseph of Aremathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body to bury him, Pilate made it sure that Jesus had already died (Mark 15:43). Paul enunciates the fact that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. The Jews counted parts of days as whole days. Thus three days would include part of Friday afternoon, all of Saturday, and Sunday morning. (2) The second major fact supporting the resurrection is the testimony of eyewitnesses. Six resurrection appearances are listed here: (1) Peter – The appearance to Peter occurred on Easter Sunday (24:34). (2) The Twelve – The appearance to the twelve seems to have taken place on Sunday evening Luke 24:36-43; Jn. 20:19-23). (3) More than five hundred – This appearance may be the one in Galilee (Matt 28:10). (4) James – He was the half brother of Jesus (Matt 13:55) who became prominent in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:130). (5) All the apostles – Probably at the time of his ascension (Acts 1:6-11). (6) To Paul – Last of all he appeared to me – this appearance to Paul occurred several years after the resurrection (Acts 9:1-8). The one abnormally born – it simply means that he was not part of the original group of apostles. He had not lived with Christ as the others had. His entry into the apostolic office was not normal.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is an undeniable fact of history. And that's not just anyone's opinion. That was the opinion of Dr. Simon Greenleaf, the greatest authority on legal evidence of the nineteenth century. In fact, he was the famous Royal Professor of law at Harvard and was directly responsible for the school's rise to eminence among American law schools. After being prompted by his students into examining the evidence for the resurrection, Greenleaf suggested that any cross-examination of the eyewitness testimonies recorded in Scripture would result in "an undoubting conviction of their integrity, ability, and truth." Dr. Greenleaf not only became a Christian, but in 1846 wrote a defense of the resurrection titled, An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists by the Rules of Evidence Administered in the Court of Justice.
2. Our preaching is based on the fact of Resurrection (vv. 12-19).
We preach Christ who died, buried and rose again. There were some in the Corinthian Church who said, 'there is no resurrection of the dead.' He says, "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised." He gives seven arguments to show that the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the believer's body are inseparable truths. Paul argues that if the believer's body is not to be raised: (1) Then Christ is not risen; (2) All preaching is useless, for there is no Gospel apart from the resurrection of Christ; (3) Paul and all the apostles were false witnesses; (4) Our faith is in vain; (5) We are all still in our sins; (6) The dead in Christ have perished; and (7) Christians are the most miserable people on earth. Why do we preach the fact of Christ's resurrection? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest tour de force in the annals of history. Through the resurrection, Jesus demonstrated that He does not stand in a line of peers with Buddha, Mohammed, or many other founders of a world religion. All of them died and are still dead, but Christ is risen and is still alive. The resurrection is the very capstone in the arch of Christianity. If it is removed, all else crumbles. It is the singular doctrine which elevated Christianity above all the pagan religions of the ancient Mediterranean world. 3. Our future is confirmed on the fact of Resurrection (Vv.20-28) Resurrection of Christ is a guarantee of the believer's bodily resurrection. Christ who has been raised is the guarantee of the resurrection of all of God's redeemed people (1Thess. 4:13-18). 2 Timothy 2:11-12 says, "If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.
One of the major facts supporting the resurrection of Christ is the empty tomb. Jesus' tomb was empty because he was resurrected. Various theories have emerged against this fact: one is wrong tomb theory – The tomb was empty because the disciples went to the wrong tomb. Another one is called fraud theory – the disciples stole Jesus' body and led the whole world to believe that Jesus was risen. All our evidence goes show that there was no thought of resurrection in the minds of the disciples, and they were men without any hope. They were hiding somewhere out of fear of the Jews on the evening of the first Good Friday. Moreover Matthew tells us that a guard was set over the tomb of Jesus. Even the enemies of Christ admitted that the tomb was empty. The record shows that they even attempted to bribe the guards to say the body had been stolen (Matt 28:11-15). If the Jewish leaders had stolen the body, they could have later openly displayed it to prove that Jesus had not risen from the dead. Although many flawed theories have been formulated over the years, the fact of the empty tomb has never been refuted. Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Death came through a man, that is, Adam. The resurrection of the dead comes also through a man, the second Adam, "the last Adam, that is, Jesus Christ. All who are in Adam suffer death, but all who are in Christ will be made alive at the resurrection. Christ, the first fruit, was raised in his own time in history, and those who are identified with Him by faith will be raised at his second coming. His resurrection is the pledge that ours will follow. At the end Jesus will hand over the Kingdom to God after destroying all dominion, authority and power. Finally Christ will destroy the last enemy-death. We all will be resurrected and there is no more death. The resurrection reminds us of our position in Christ, and refreshes our prospect of being with Him and like Him. Our future hope of resurrection is sure because Jesus has already been resurrected from the dead. We will have a resurrected body – a glorified body. The resurrected bodies will be visible and tangible, but not subject to the laws of nature like our present bodies. Rather, they will be subject to the laws of the Spirit. It will be like that of Christ's body after the resurrection (Luke 24:39).
4. Our present life is rooted on the fact of Resurrection (29-34)
Life finds its meaning in the fact of resurrection. People will be able to live in the light of their future resurrection. Paul asks, what is the use of baptism if there is no resurrection? It is because we were baptized in anticipation of the resurrection of the dead. If there is no resurrection, people will not be able to plan for their life. They will be like people who say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." If there is no resurrection, why should we suffer persecution and hardship for Christ every day? Doubting or denying the resurrection of Christ is a sin which has a negative effect on the lives of people. Resurrection brings transformation in the lives of people. Look at Jesus' disciples before his crucifixion– their hopes were shattered and broken. They expected Jesus to establish his earthly kingdom. They never expected their Messiah to suffer and die. They were disappointed and discouraged. Look at them after Jesus' resurrection – They became different in their lives. There was a confidence and certainty in them about their Messiah. Immediately they were sure Jesus was no longer dead. Something happened that convinced them that Jesus was alive. In spite of intense persecution and even cruel deaths they testified to the truth of the resurrection. Not only did the resurrection of Christ transform the disciples from cowards to lions of the faith, but also His resurrection continues to transform lives today. Apostle Paul, in Phil. 3:10, invites us to share the power of His resurrection. He says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. Because Christ lives, the Scripture says, we will also live. Conclusion
The gospel that we received is Christ died, buried, and risen. We take our stand with God on this same gospel.We are dead in our sins, raised with the Lord, and hope for our bodily resurrection. As we live here on earth, let's continue to experience the power of Christ's resurrection. Let's pray that the transforming power of Christ's resurrection may continue to transform many lives today!
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Introduction: People often think no one loves them, but there is a God who loves and cares. John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son. God gave his Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that every one who believes in him shall not perish, but have life forever. People sometimes say, ‘God doesn’t know what I’m like. He doesn’t even care.’ But the matter of the fact is that He loves you and cares for you. The Story: God’s love for you is like the father’s love in the story Jesus told in Luke 15:11-31. In this story, I want to emphasize the love of the father. The story goes like this: A man had two sons. They were living together as one family. One day, the younger son got an idea, which was not pleasant for the whole family. He said to his father, “Give me my part of all the things we own!” So the father divided the wealth with his two sons. He equally divided and gave equal portion to his younger son. The young son gathered up all that he had and left. He traveled far away to another country. There the son wasted his money like a fool. He spent everything that he had. It is written that he squandered his wealth in wild living. Soon after that, the land became very dry, and there was no rain. There was not enough food to eat anywhere in that country. The son was hungry and needed money. So he went and got a job with one of the people of that country. The man sent the son into the fields to feed pigs. The son was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pig’s food, but no one gave him anything. Now the boy realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, “All of my father’s servants have plenty of food. But I am here, almost dead because I have nothing to eat.” Now the son came back to his senses. He said, “I will leave and go to my father.” So the son left and went to his father. He was walking day and night and finally almost approached home. While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. That means the father was waiting for his son all through this days. The father felt sorry for his son and ran to him. Our God is like that. When we are disappointed, feeling discouraged, our heavenly father is not angry with us. He is thinking, “Why my son/daughter does not understand that I am there to help at the right time?” When we disobey Him and go away from God, don’t think that He is furious and condemn us immediately. Well, of course He is sad and patiently waiting for us. He is looking for the moment that we will come back to him. What happened in the story? The father hugged and kissed his son. The son said, “Father, I sinned against God and have done wrong to you. I am not good enough to be called your son.” The father was so happy. He said to his servants, “Hurry! Bring the best clothes and dress him.” He also put a ring on his finger and good shoes on his feet. He ordered his servants, “Bring a fat calf. We will kill it and have plenty to eat. Then we can have a party.” So they began to have a party. The father said, “My son was dead, but now he is alive again!” “He was lost, but now he is found!” “So let’s celebrate and be glad.” What a joy it is for our heavenly Father when we come back to him in repentance! People still ask the question, “Can I have God’s love in my life?” What a beautiful story it is! All of us want to have fathers like this. We wish if our parents, teachers, and leaders were like this father in the story. Remember, people of this world may fail because they are human beings. But we have a Father in heaven, always waiting for us, loving us, and forgiving us. Bible says, “While we were still enemies God loved us.” That is why He gave his one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:23, “If people love me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. What kind of love our heavenly father has for us? Conclusion: It is not the thought of a judging, punishing, and angry God that will prevent you from sinning, but the very thought of a loving Father in heaven. The moment I think that there is a heavenly Father who loves me, cares for me, and concerned about me, I should turn from the sinful ways and start following and serving Him. See friends, the love the Lord has for us, is an unconditional love. We have a loving Father in heaven. Come to him just like a little child comes to its father or mother. Come to him in repentance and forgiveness. He will never leave us and forsake us! His love and care for us is great! I invite you to a lifetime journey of experiencing this great love of our God in your life and work.
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