February 8, 2015 Sunday Worship Service
Time: 11.00 am
Pastor's sermon is based on the scripture of Matthew 5:10-12, which says blessed are those that are persecuted and reprimanded in Christ's name. Churches got vandalized in Delhi, which could be the work of burglars, as shown by the behavior of the authorities, but the community as a whole has been humiliated nonetheless. Even Umashanker, IAS has been warned by the Tamil Nadu Government for propagating religion, not over negligence of official duty. Thus 'religious persecution' as mentioned in the Holy Bible is still relevant in the present day.
You could be persecuted for your righteousness which could be the kind that excels the righteousness of the Pharisees, which is simply characterized by an absence of corruption. The righteousness of a-connect-with Jesus is not about ethical righteousness, but about the righteousness of Jesus Christ. There is ordination of the final destination of the biblically righteous's soul, which brings about peace of mind even in suffering.
If and when a time comes wherein you are persecuted and humiliated because of God, the words of Jesus as found in Luke 16:3 still holds good: You can't serve two masters.
The coming of such a situation is not about if, there is complete certainty. A Christian will not despair. Fo there is happiness at the end. So let us rejoice and be glad about the absolute happiness awaiting the righteous (Christians) in Heaven.
This is the spirit which validates brother Thuamzadam's act of leaving the service as Home Guards against opposition of relatives. He sings, 'Hai kei veng e'- I'm not a fool.
The pastor prayed for the Jesus-connect righteousness of all parishioners.
#From next Sunday February 15, 2015 onwards the Church will hold two worship services- one at 11 am and the other at 3 pm.
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