Sunday, September 19, 2010

Essence of the Church

what make(s) a church? Is it by the hands and charisma of men? Why do we go to church, and take a step further to find the true church?


(1) Eph 3: 7-10
"to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God"
Where is the mystery of God been made plain?
"Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known" (vs10)


(2) Mat26: 28
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Jesus' blood was poured out 2000 years ago, and thus gave significance to water baptism, which is despised by many who claimed that baptism is nothing more than an unnecessary ceremony.
Well, let's reason this out, shall we? How does Jesus' blood bleed till today, after 2000 years, in order to cleanse our sins here in Kuala Lumpur, in True Jesus Church?
.................
1Jn 5:6-8
"Jesus did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth."
"the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."


the (Holy) Spirit is none other than God Himself. God transcends time, so does the Holy Spirit, as they are the same. With the Spirit as witness, our baptism takes the efficacy of remission of sins.
thus, we come to the Church for a reason, for the true and living remission of our transgressions that have haunted us long enough.

(3) Mat16: 17-18
"on this rock I will build my church" The Church is built upon Jesus.
Acts 2:
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues"
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."



the Holy Spirit descended and established the True Jesus Church, by enabling ALL the believers who received the Spirit to speak in tongues(a spiritual language that no one can comprehend) as stated in vs4.
All TJC around the world share different native languages, yet as we pray, we share the same Holy Spirit and the same spiritual tongues, to prove our oneness.

(4) Eph 1: 4
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world"
we are the Church, and the Church is chosen before heavens and earth were created.
...................
Heb12: 22 "Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem,"
it is the heavenly Church and kingdom, which belongs not to the world, but to Jesus our God.


Thus, the Church is heavenly. She is delivered directly from Heaven as proclaimed in the Lord's prayer "May Thy Kingdom come(from Heaven)". As such, the Church is filled with the Word of God.

So why go to church? sermon by Pr Ezekiel at Olive Garden, Port Dickson

Sunday, September 5, 2010

My secret Identity


ref from http://www.tjc.org/devotional/showDev.aspx?aid=9582

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15)

I used to have this childish imagination that if the Almighty God is my Father, I am just like a superhero born under extraordinary circumstances, and ultimately I have to hide my true identity and capabilities - a superhero, a Son of God.

I, with this secret identity, dwell among mortals who live in vanities and misery;
Among friends and relatives who try to seek something that I already have,
and hardly finding it;
Among the sick and the dying who know not what lies beyond death;
Among the wise and the powerful who created beliefs and formed tales of the spiritual realm, while I am the son of the One who created all things.

It sounds just too cool to be true.
I am my Father's son, who is soon to be sealed with the Promised Holy Spirit.

It's just like in the movie Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, except that the story is fictitious and the gods in the movie are weak and limited.
For my status as the Son of God is true, even in the modern, 21st century.
And my God Jesus, is the strongest and most powerful.



Thank You, my God, for adopting me as Your child.