Secret of Receiving Blessings From God - Message Transcript - Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar (Horeb Church Bangalore, Hebron)

Theme: Secret of Receiving Blessings From God

Message By: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Horeb House Of Worship

# 42, 2nd Cross Road,

New Baiyyappanahalli Extn,

Maruti Sevanagar,

Bangalore, Karnataka. 560038. 

India.

Contact # +91 9740390623

God Servant: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Click Here to View the Map

SECRET OF RECEIVING BLESSINGS FROM GOD

Gen 32:22-32

This passage tells about the secret of Jacob receiving blessings from God. Scriptures tells us through many verses, how we can enjoy the blessings of the Lord; “As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psa. 133:3). So the Lord commanded His blessings for us. “Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever” (1 Chr. 17:27). This scripture tell us that if the Lord blesses us, that blessing will be forever and ever. And in the blessings of the God there will be no sadness or sorrows added into it. But only when we come together we can enjoy the blessings of God. Praise God, at least once in a week we have the privilege to come into the House of God to receive the blessing. More we come together again and again the more we can enjoy the blessings of the Lord. So coming together brings the blessings from God, the eternal God. Here we see in the life of Jacob, the secret of how he received the blessing from God. Not only one side, God wants us to bless us another side we see satan also wants to bless the mankind. Scriptures will reveal this to us. “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;” (Matt. 4:8). So devil says that, I will give all things unto thee that means even satan also wants to bless the mankind. But his blessings will be temporal one and his blessings will bring tears and sorrows. But when God blesses us it will be forever and he addeth no sorrows in it. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:” (Isa. 40:5,6). Even though the condition of the man is like this, but still God wants to bless us. God who blesses is an Eternal God; because He is an eternal God his blessings also are eternal. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8). “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:13). He is Alpha and Omega His blessings are Eternal. If I ask how many of you want blessings, everyone will raise their hands, and say we all need blessings. No one says that I don’t want blessings from God. Everyone wants blessings from God. So the very purpose we come together often and often is to receive blessings from God. So, here we see Jacob also came into such a place and also received the blessings of the Lord. Right from the young age Jacob had the desire to receive the blessings from God. But in the beginning we see that he was the man aspiring with his own deception and strength want to enjoy the blessings. We know that he received the blessings of the firstborn son. Also he deceived his father and enjoyed the blessings. Not only that, he went to his father in law’s house, there also he enjoyed the blessings. He got two wives, many children, sheet, cattle, servants, wealth, property and many things he could able to get. So he became a great rich man, and thought that only these are the real blessings. But soon Jacob realised that these are not the real blessings. That is why in the passage (Gen 32:22-32) we see that Jacob is separating himself from all these things. He separated from his wife, his children, women servants, wealth and all the flock in Verse 32. He was the man who stood all alone at the boat of eboch. And in order to receive blessings from God the first principle is that we need to separate ourselves, we need to lead a separated life. Only when we separate ourselves from the world and the chores of the world and the things of this world then only we can enjoy the blessings of God. But the sad thing is that we want both worldly blessings and the spiritual blessings. God wants to bless us with eternal blessings and this we can have only when we lead a separated life. Right from the beginning we see, how God separated good things. In the book of Genesis 1:4 we see that God separated light from darkness. He separated water above the firmament and below the firmament. Thirdly He separated the dry land from the water. Then only earth started yielding fruit. So if you and I want to enjoy the blessings, the principle is that we need to live a separated life. And we want the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the things of this world or the gods whom we were serving earlier and those gods also we want. But if we have that kind of tendencies we cannot enjoy the eternal blessings from God. Only when we lead a separated life then only we can able to enjoy blessings from God. Now Jacob here is separating himself from all these things, God wants to bless him. What is the secret here? At river Eboch he led a separated life and God blessed him there. Jacob was all alone and separated from his wife and children. When we separate ourselves from the world, people and course of this world we can enjoy the blessings of God. Why we are not receiving blessings from God; because we are not willing to separate from this world. When Jacob had everything God did not bless him, but when he separated himself from all those things God started blessing him. Abraham also separated from Lot, and separated himself from his kith and kindred, family and parents and others, and then only he was blessed. Apostle Paul also was blessed, when he separated himself. “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (Eph. 3:2). Scriptures says that because Apostle Paul separated himself he could able to enjoy the blessings from God and mysteries have been revealed unto him. He had the revelation from God only when he led a separated life. That’s why he could able to write many epistles and many secret things unto us. Only when we lead a separated life we can enjoy the blessings of God. Before this Jacob was very busy with his day to day work. But when he separated himself God started blessing him. When we separate ourselves and spend time alone with the Lord, God will bless us.

Secondly, Jacob depended upon God. “And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him” (Gen. 32:25). Because he became week and then he started depending upon God. So also we need to know our weaknesses, shortcomings, failures and begin to depend upon the God. Only when we realize our weaknesses, our foolishness, our unworthiness then only we can enjoy the blessings from God. All the time we need to depend upon Gods strength, Gods wisdom and also His prudence. Only when we confess we are foolish, unlearned foolish and ignorant then only God will start blessing us.

Thirdly, Jacob says ‘unless thou bless me I will not leave you’. “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Gen. 32:26).

Here we see Jacob is wrestling with God and he had all night prayer on that day. Whole night wrestling with God speaks about praying with God. Only when we spend night time in prayer we can enjoy the blessings of God. First time in Jacobs’s life he had all night prayer, wrestling with God. With tears we see that he received grace from God. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (Jam. 4:17). So knowing that spending time in the presence of God and if you fail to do it then it is evil work. Tuesday being church prayer and Thursday Bible study, how many are really interested to come and listen to Gods word and pray. We are busy, occupied with so many things only when we separate ourselves and spend time alone with the Lord and also with the congregation then we can enjoy the blessings of God. And Jacob wanted blessings from the Lord. Before he received blessings, God asked him what his name is. “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob” (Gen. 32:27). God knows our name but still He is asking his name. Why God asked his name? Because the same person in previous chapter we see that when his own father asked him, who are you? He said, I am your eldest son ‘Esau’, he did not say Jacob. And he denied his name he told a lie. He did not confess his own name. But now he realized that he is standing before the Lord, and Lord knows everything and I cannot tell lies and he says his own name, Jacob. Jacob means the deceiver, and the sup planter.  And so only when we confess our real pain, our shortcomings, failures, our sins then only we can enjoy the blessings of God. Jacob confesses his own name, and confessed that he is a deceiver. Then only we can able to enjoy the blessing. We also should confess that we are children of the devil. During the worship time we saw the verse John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (Joh. 8:44). Not only the children of devil but the generation of vipers as mentioned in Mat. 3:7 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Mat. 3:7). And now we have become the children of God; because we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour. And Jacob’s name is changed; and no more called Jacob, but Israel. His name has been changed and his life also has been changed. He is called as the Prince. We are also called as kings and priests unto God. We are called as children of God, sons of God. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Rom. 8:12,14,17). So these verses tell us that we are heirs and joint heirs of God. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (1Pet. 2:9). So we have become the children of God and also the peculiar people, kings and priests made unto God. This is what Jacob enjoyed on that day the blessings from God. So also when we confess our real sins we also can enjoy the blessings of God. And his name was changed; our names also is being changed. And will be called as the children of living God, sons and daughters unto God. So what a great blessing it is.

Finally Jacob is asking, what is your name? Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there” (Gen 32:29).

Jacob has a desire that he wants to know more about God. We also should have that kind of desire. What we know is very very little about God. Only when we have desire, hunger and thirst for God then only we could be able to know Him more and more. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18). We need to grow in the grace and knowledge and in the statutes of God. Only when we have desire then only we will grow. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (1 Pet. 4:16). I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;     even at night my heart instructs me” (Psa. 16:7). So when our life is pleasing unto the Lord, He will make even our enemies to be in peace with us. Here in this incident we know that Jacob was very troubled, when he heard that his brother Esau is going to come and meet him. He heard that Esau is going to come with 400 men. When he heard this news he was troubled very much, but later on we see that how Esau made peace with him. All these things because he spent his time alone with the Lord and received blessings from God. So God wants that you and I to separate ourselves and spend time in the presence of God confess our true nature unto God and also we can enjoy the blessings of God. And also we need to have the desire and hunger to know more about God. If we have these qualities then we are sure we can enjoy the eternal blessings of God. May the Lord bless this word and help us to enjoy the blessings from God. 

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Blessings of God - Message Transcript - Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar (Horeb Church Bangalore, Hebron)

Theme: Blessings of God

Message By: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Horeb House Of Worship

# 42, 2nd Cross Road,

New Baiyyappanahalli Extn,

Maruti Sevanagar,

Bangalore, Karnataka. 560038. 

India.

Contact # +91 9740390623

God Servant: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Click Here to View the Map

BLESSINGS OF GOD

Ephesians 1:3-14

This is the wonderful passage Apostle Paul is reminding the believers that God has blessed us. Right from the beginning in the creation of man we see how God is interested in blessing man. And no doubt Adam and Eve were blessed by the Lord. And as long as they obeyed God and walked with God they enjoyed the blessing of God. But whenever they disobeyed God and whenever they backslide or gone astray. They lost the blessing from God, ever since man’s life became empty. Because of sin and disobedience, and not only it has become empty but also we see that man’s life is filled with curse. And curse of God came upon them because of their sin and disobedience. But yet our God is a compassionate God, our God is a loving God. Jer 31:3 says that ‘He has loved us with an everlasting love’. And not only He has loved us but sent His only beloved son. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Joh. 3:16).

Apostle Paul is writing these things to the believers in Ephesians. And the background of it was that, after they exercised faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they have to go through suffering in their life. Many lost their job and also were driven out of the family, because of the faith they have towards Lord Jesus Christ. Such a time as this the heathen people in the city were mocking at them by telling them our goddess has blessed us and he has given riches to us. You people believe in Jesus Christ, what he has given to you? And keeping this though, Apostle Paul wrote this epistle to the believers at Ephesians.

Paul says that God has not only blessed us with material blessings of this world, but also spiritual blessing, heavenly blessings. Material blessing will not last longer but the spiritual blessings we can enjoy them eternally. This is what Paul is reminding the believers and he says that God has blessed us with spiritual blessing in heavenly places. All these blessing is because of Jesus Christ alone. As we read the word, many times it is written that ‘In Christ Jesus we have been blessed’. So without Jesus Christ you and I cannot enjoy the blessing of God. Christ is the media; Christ is the center through whom we can enjoy the blessings. So in Jesus Christ you and I are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Quickly we see what are the blessings Paul is reminding the believers.

First of all He says that He says that He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of this world. See He has chosen us in Him, In Christ Jesus you and I are chosen before the foundation of the world. When God has chosen us? God has chosen us even before the foundation of this world. Even before you and I were not born in this world, God has chosen us. You and I were not born at that time but still God in His fore knowledge has chosen us. So He has chosen us before the foundations of the World. Here we see people who are around us are better than us, they are well educated, has riches, property and all these things are there but God has not chosen them. But on the other hand God has chosen us. Do you know when God has chosen us, Rom 5: 6-10 Says, when we were ungodly, when we were weekly and also when we were enemies to the Lord and also sinners, God has chosen us; what a wonderful God He is, even though we have so many infirmities so many weaknesses, shortcomings, disobedience and sins were found, yet God has chosen us. This morning hour as we are found in the house of God, and we know that God has chosen me that indeed is a great blessing. John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (Joh. 15:16). What a wonderful God He is? Even though we have not chosen Him, but He has chosen us.  That is the first and the foremost blessing we enjoy from Lord Jesus Christ. And why He has chosen us; so that we may be able to live a Holy and without blemish life on this earth. You know man is trying his level best to get rid of sin and want to lead a Holy life on this earth. Whatever he may do, whatever the religion or rituals he may follow, yet those things cannot make a holy person. And they fast for so many days and they pray but yet they could not able to lead a holy life. But Praise God because Jesus Christ shed His precious blood; you and I are able to live a holy life. Scriptures say, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Joh. 1:7). Because of His shed blood you and I are able to live a holy life on this earth. Even though we are living in this sinful and wicked world but yet we are able to live a holy life because of the efficacy of precious blood of Jesus Christ. Not only He has given us His precious blood but also he has given us His precious word unto us. God’s word can cleanse us through and through. Please see Eph. 5:26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26.) So because of the word of Lord Jesus Christ that can be able to cleanse us through and through. And also he has given us the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in us. And that Holy Spirit of God will cleanse our life, sanctify our life day by day, so that you and I can live an holy and without blemish life in this world.

Secondly He says that, He has adopted us. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Eph. 1:5). The word adoption means ‘born into the family of God’. Once we were the children of devil, but now we have become the children of living God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (Joh. 1:2). What a wonderful privilege God has given to us to be called as children of living God. So He has adopted us, born into the family of God as His Sons and daughters. So His blessing is that, He has adopted us as sons and daughters, spiritually we may be grown up. That is the blessing God has given to us.

Thirdly He has accepted us in the beloved. “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). Our life has been accepted. In the Bible accepted has got a deeper meaning. If you go home and read Lev Chap 15 & 16, if someone has committed any sins they have to bring 2 goat of animals. In order to have remission of sins they have to bring animals for sacrifice. And the High Priest will examine the animals, and scriptures say that he will examine the animal for nearly 4 days. And on the 4^th day he will declares that it is accepted. Then only that animal can be sacrificed for sins offering. But here God has accepted us means, even though we have so many weaknesses, shortcomings, failures, disobedience and sins were found in us yet God has accepted us. And the best example we see in book of Philemon. In the book of Philemon we see that Onesimus life has been written. He was the servant in the house of Philemon, and he robbed his master’s property and ran away. He was caught and landed in jail were Apo. Paul was imprisoned. Onesimus heard the gospel preached by Apostle Paul. He repented of his sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. And Paul was convinced of the life of Onesimus, and after Onesimus was released from jail, Paul writes an epistle to Philemon and sends it through Onesimus. In that epistle he says that, ‘you accept him not as your servant, but as your son’. This is what the real meaning of acceptance is. God has accepted our life; you may have robbed of God’s precious things in so many ways. You may have robbed God’s time, you may have robbed Gods talent which He has given to us, and we have robbed the money which He has given to us. Even though we have done all these things, but yet He has accepted our life.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Eph. 1:7).  The word redemption has got a deeper meaning in the Bible. Redemption means, those who are slaves and have been set free. In the days of Apostle Paul nearly around 9 Lakh slaves were there. Whether they were men slaves or women slaves they were carried to the market place and were sold there. Rich man used to come and then pay the price and set them free. So also we were all slaves in the sight of God. Rom 3:23 says Slaves to sin, Rom 6:23 says we are Slaves to death, death means not physical but spiritual death. And death has separated us from living God. Gal 5:1 says we are slaves to the Law, and also slaves to satan. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” (Eph. 2:2). And slaves to the world, world means, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1Joh. 2:15,16). So we are slaves to all these things. But Praise God the Great rich man came down from heaven. Who is this rich man? Nothing, but our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And He came down and paid a great price to set us free. What is the price He gave? “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Pet. 1:18,19). We have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God. So this is the great price that the Lord Jesus Christ offered to redeem you and me. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” (Gal 1:4). Our Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself to set us free from the sinful world.

The second blessing we see our Lord Jesus Christ has given Eph 1:7 not only he has redeemed us but also has forgiven our sins. Forgiven means He carried away our sins. How far our Lord Jesus has carried our sins? “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psa. 103:8). Not only He has forgiven but also has kept all our sins behind, He says I will not remember your sins anymore. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19). “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isa. 43:25).That is the true meaning of forgiveness of Sins.

“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;” (Eph. 1:8). Wisdom and prudence He has given to us. Not the worldly wisdom but the heavenly wisdom. Through this we can able to know about God and also understand Gods Word.

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” (Eph 1:9). The Lord Jesus Christ has revealed unto us the mysteries of God. In the Bible we see many mysteries of God are written. But in Old Testament even though many man and woman of God were there but they could not be able to understand the mysteries of God.  Praise God according to New Testament through the Lord Jesus Christ you and I could be able to understand the mysteries of God. God became man is a mystery, and our Lord Jesus Christ birth and life on earth is a mystery, and also His death on the cross is a mystery, and his resurrection also is a mystery. And after the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He had glorified body. And In that glorified body we see that the marks of wound were still there. God with a purpose has kept the marks in Him. As He knew that if the marks were not there doubting disciples wouldn’t have believed Him. Even though Lord Jesus Christ said many times that I am going to be put to death and will rise again on the third day. Even after the Lord Jesus has risen again and went before the disciples, yet they failed to recognize the Lord Jesus Christ. All the 10 disciples shut the doors and windows and were sitting inside, because of the fear of Jewish people. They were thinking that our master is dead and the Jews will come and kill us also. Jesus Christ after he was risen again he came into their midst. And He had to show his marks of the wounds unto them, after they saw that they believed in Him. Even though the 10 disciples testified that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, one of the disciples Thomas failed to believe it. He challenged before them that unless I put my finger in the palm of the Lord Jesus Christ and also my palm in the side of the Lord Jesus Christ I will not believe. But we see that even Jesus Christ also He went to him and showed Himself and then Thomas says my Lord my God. Because the mark of the wound was found in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ they could able to exercise faith in the Lord. That is a mystery. When we are glorified we will not have this kind of marks in us. Lord will give us a glorified body. And that is the mystery. So many mysteries God has revealed to us.

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” (Eph. 1:11). We have an inheritance and we are the partakers of the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ has made us heirs and joint heirs with Him. That is the blessing received. And there are other two blessings which the Lord Jesus Christ wants to give to us.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph 1:13). Spirit of the Holy Spirit of the Lord is upon every child of God. Speaks about the indwelling of the spirit of God, speaks about safety and security. Till we meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the mid-air Holy Spirit of God is the one who takes care of us, He protects, He saves us, leads us, guides us and strengthens us. Because of the Holy Spirit of God we enjoy security and safety, because all the time enemy will be attacking us. Lord Jesus said that satan is a thief and he comes to steal, kill and destroy. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Joh. 10:10). The only way to escape this is the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Seal of the Spirit of God is upon us.

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:14). The Earnest means the guarantor, the payment is being made and so the Holy Spirit of our God is our guarantor. So when we have been engaged to the Lord Jesus Christ we know that our God Lord Jesus Christ is the bridegroom and we are His bride. Church is called as the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. So the day is going to come then wedding will take place in heaven. And the believers or the children of God are the one who will be seen. Those who are dead in Christ will be raised first. They will have the glorified body. And we who are alive we also will have glorified body and we will meet the dear ones. First we are going to meet our beloved ones. Tears will be there when we meet our dear ones, our tears will be wiped away from us. Together we will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the mid-air. And then we will be along with the Lord Jesus Christ for the great wedding; Wedding of the Lamb of God. What a great blessing it is to know that all these blessings are not temporary but are eternal blessings. So having enjoyed this blessing what shall we do? Shall we shut our mouth and keep quiet, but on the other hand let us open our heart and our mouth and pour out our heart before Him and worship the Lord in spirit and also in truth. 

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Youth Camp (Karnataka & Goa) From 01st to 05th October 2014 at Elim Campus Center - Whitefield - Bangalore

King Saul's Life - Message Transcript - Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar (Horeb Church Bangalore, Hebron)

Theme: King Saul's Life

Message By: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Horeb House Of Worship

# 42, 2nd Cross Road,

New Baiyyappanahalli Extn,

Maruti Sevanagar,

Bangalore, Karnataka. 560038. 

India.

Contact # +91 9740390623
God Servant: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Click Here to View the Map

KING SAUL’S LIFE

In 1 Samuel 28: 3 -14, we see one of the darkest chapters in the life of Saul. We see many contrast things happened in his life. He started the life in the morning and ended his life in the evening. He started his life with great courage, but ended his life with fear. Also he started his life with God inhis life with standing and walking with the Lord, but in the end we see a great fall. He fell down spiritually, physically fromthe kingship started with great victory but ended with great defeat.

Let us consider the life of Saul; these are the incidents which were written for our admonition, edification and also for our correction. We saw that he started his life career in the morning that means in light. In the beginning we see, Saul was running behind an ass and his ass was lost. He went in search of the lost one so muchthat he went after the ass but we see that he became a king. He became the king of Israel. Scriptures say that he has been anointed 3 times. First time when he met Samuel on the hill, secondly, he was anointed in the midst of the people as a king, thirdly by the strengthening of his kingship. Even though he has been anointed, we still see that his life ended in a pathetic way. In the beginning, wonderful virtues were seen in his life. He was fit to be a king in the beginning stage, but later on we see that he lost it. He lost a beautiful character which God has given unto him and ends his life with a great shame and disgrace.

He has to face a great defeat in his life, he lost his life and thus he went into that night. He was a man who drew all the ones who practices witch crafts in his kingdom, because those are nothing but the activities of evil spirits.But later on we see that he himself went after it and searched for such ones. The portion we have read in 1 Samuel 28:7 “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.” (1 Sam. 28:7). Once he has wisdom of God and he was living a spiritual life, but later he wentafter the darkness or evil spirit. He started his life in the morning, with light but now he has ended his life with darkness, or in the evening. John 3:20 says, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20). He was loving the light and doing good things but now we see that he is hating the light and doing the evil things and wrong things. Good beginning does not guarantee that we are going to end our life with goodness unless we are careful in how we are leading our life and try to see right then only wewould end our life with good things. 

1 John 1:5 says, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). God, whom we serve, is a God of light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Even darkness which is seen, for Him is light. Because He is the God of light, Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, “I am the light of the world”. John 8:12 says “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Joh 8:12). We need to walk in the light and follow the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ. So our prayer should be in this way, ’Lord Help me O God, I want to begin my life not only with light but also end my life in light.’ Sad thing is that Saul failed to walk in the light in the end days of his life. Started in the morning but ended at evening.

Secondly, he started his life with great courage, but ended his life with fear

All the philistines came against Israel to fight the battle; the people of Israel were filled with fear. At that time he was the only one who stood with courage and came forward to fight for the people. He encouraged all the people of Israel to strengthen them, to face the enemy and fight the battle. He fought the battle and got the victory, but in the end we see that the same philistines came against Israel and he was filled with fear. Not only in the end but also in the middle of his life he was filled with fear, or may be only few years after his kingship he had that courage. But he lost that courage, when he heard that philistines are gathered together against Israel.

When Goliath came against the people of Israel and that was the time when Saul and all the people of Israel were filled with fear, but only one young lad David was filled with courage. And he came forward and fought against the philistine Goliath and got victory, because he had the courage and he knew his God and also was serving the Lord. All those who enjoy the presence of God, serve the God and worship the God are given the courage, not only for some time but as long as we serve the wonderful God we enjoy the courage and boldness. God said in the Bible nearly 366 times ‘fear not’. One of the beautiful characters in the life of a believer, in the life of child of God is to have the courage. But enemy will all the time tries to attack and bring fears in our life. So to overcome this, God has given us His weapons.

He has given us His precious word; he has given us His precious blood for us.

How to overcome the enemy? - A beautiful word we see in Rev 12:11 says “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:11). We can overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony. There is power in the word of God; there is power in the shed blood of Lord Jesus Christ. We sing the Chorus ‘There is power, power, and wonder working power in the blood of the lamb’. By faith when we receive that power we can overcome any kind of enemy who creates trouble in our life.

King Saul here has started his life with great courage, but finally ended with fear. One who stood against the enemy is now afraid of the enemy. He was afraid of Goliath, he was also afraid of young man David. Even though David held his breath and held his life and fought against Goliath and he has been a great supportive to Saul, but when he looked at David he was still afraid.He was afraid of the people of Israel and every man of God. So, that was the condition of Saul, because he lost the fellowship and lost the track with God. Because of that he lost the faith in God, and he disobeyed God. Because of these things he was filled with fear.

One beautiful word in Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1). So we are expected to live a righteous life. Praise God, we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and see Him as Lord and our saviour and we will be made righteous people. Those who continue to lead the righteous life enjoy the courage and boldness. They will be as bold as a lion. Whatever comes in the way of a Lion it will not be afraid. No animal can withstand against it. God gives that courage to us, only when we lead a righteous life. Whereas Saul’s life was filled with unrighteousness and so much so he started hating his own people. He started hating David, Why? When David conquered Goliath, some of the women started singing song which says ‘Saul killed thousand, David killed ten thousand’. Because of this he hated David. When he started hating David then his life was filled with fear. Hatred leads us to unrighteousness and then to have fear. Only when we lead a righteous life we will have courage and boldness.

Also, he disobeyed God, but when we show forth obedience unto God we will enjoy boldness. Also, he was disobedient with Prophet Samuel, that’s why sin came and fear gripped his life. We begin our life with courage and if we are not careful and not able to lead a righteous life, fear grips our heart. Praise God, in the Bible we see that it is written many times ‘Fear Not, Fear Not’, it is written nearly 366 times (Someone has counted it). In a year there are 365 days, during leap year one day is added. So, every day God looks at us and says ‘Fear not my son, Fear not my daughter.’  Even though Gods word is encourages us but we still we get fear. Fear for life, fear of future, so many things will come in our mind and will grip our heart with fear. Praise God, He has made all the provision so that we could live a courageous and a bold life.

Thirdly, Saul started his life with Gods wisdom

How we will come to know that he is filled with Gods wisdom? Because of obedience, when we obey God we get wisdom. Obedience leads us to have the wisdom of God. Disobedience leads us to have foolishness in our lives. But when we show forth obedience we can enjoy the wisdom from God. ‘Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom’ when we have the fear of God, then it leads us to have wisdom from God. Fear leads us to obedience to Lord. If we don’t have fear in God, we will disobey God. But when we have fear of the Lord, it leads us to obedience and also to wisdom of God. Of Course, we know that through the help of Holy Spirit of God we enjoy the wisdom of God. Isaiah 11:2 says, “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isa. 11:2); Here we see one is linked with another. Fear of God and also the spirit of knowledge. When we have fear of Lord and we show forth obedience then we can enjoy the spirit of wisdom. Spirit of wisdom, spirit of understanding and counsel will be given to us. Saul, because of his disobedience he became foolish and because of his foolishness he destroyed his kingdom and his very life itself.

At times we see him, running like a horse before God, but he stops like a mule. He blamedProphet Samuel and other Godly people even though he made many mistakes and disobeyed God. On the other hand he never repented or never blamed himself. Also, he sought the honour from God, he sought honour from the people, and he sought praise for himself. That is what happened; when people started praising David he was jealous. In this way he made many mistakes in his life. And because of that he became foolish and he lost his life, he lost his kingship. What a pathetic end we see in the life of Saul.

Fourthly, he started with standing, walking in spiritual life, but at the end he spiritually fell down

Great fall we see, physically he fell down. 1 Sam 28:20 says, “Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night” (1 Sam. 28:20). Here we see a pathetic thing happening in the life of Saul, sad demise of Saul’s life. All these things happened because he fell down and disobeyed God. Not only he was the tallest man among the people of Israel, he was well built, but he disobeyed God and he blamed God and people. And he coveted praise for himself. All these things led him to a great fall. He never understood, if the people appreciate me there will be a great fall in my life. When others appreciate us, or talk good about us we should be very careful with that. Quickly we need to give praise, honour and glory unto God. We should not covet even an iota of praise or glory for ourselves, whereas Saul failed to do this. He coveted praise for himself and that led him into a great fall in his life.

When King David got the news about Saul’s death, he says ‘how are the mighty fallen?’ Saul was an anointed king, not one timebut he was anointed 3 times. That’s how David respected him. Even though Saul was after David’s life, David all the time respected Saul and not raised his hand against Gods anointed one. That’s why he said, ‘how are the mighty fallen?’ Our human life is not a playground, itis a battlefield. We need to face the battle and win the battle. We should not only begin our life with standing but also keep walking with the Lord spiritually.

Finally, Saul’s life started with great victory but ended with great defeat, a shameful death.

He died by committing suicide, he was a man of God, anointed by God but his end was pathetic, utterly shameful death. Hence, we need to pray, Lord help me to begin my life with light, but also end our life with light, and with courage, and with wisdom, and end our life with standing. This is what we learned by the incidents happened in the life of Saul. May the Lord bless this word and help us to learn this beautiful spiritual lesson in our life.


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Wonders Of God - Message Transcript - Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar (Horeb Church Bangalore, Hebron)

Theme: Wonders Of God

Message By: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

Horeb House Of Worship

# 42, 2nd Cross Road,

New Baiyyappanahalli Extn,

Maruti Sevanagar,

Bangalore, Karnataka. 560038. 

India.

Contact # +91 9740390623
God Servant: Bro. Immanuel P. Kumar

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 WONDERS OF GOD

Psalms is a very beautiful book. It speaks about the wonders of God. Many names are given to God; one of the names is Wonderful. God whom we serve is a wonderful God.

Isaiah- 9:6 says “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”..... His name shall be called Wonderful.

Psalm 139 speaks about the 4 qualities of God’s wonders.

Verses 1-6, speaks about the God’s Knowledge being revealed to us.

Verses 7-12 speaks about the wonders of God’s Presence.

Verses 13-18 speaks about God’s Wonderful Power is being revealed to us.

Verses 19-24 speaks about the wonders of God’s Judgement.

Firstly, we see ‘God’s Knowledge’

God’s wonder leads us to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. Our God is a God who dwelleth in the uttermost light, even the midnight turns into light with God. Luke 2:14 says “And they saw the light, and they could able to worship the Lord”. Also in the scriptures, we come across wonderful things which the Lord has done. If we read Matthew 14:15-20, we will know that the Lord has done the wonder of feeding more than 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fishes. How those five loaves of bread and two fishes can be multiplied so that more than 5000 people could be able to feed? It is because our God is a wonderful God. And also He could able to change the ordinary thing into an extraordinary one. In John Chapter 2 he turned the water into best wine. So, our God is a wonderful God.

Most wonderful thing on the earth is when a sinner turns into a saint. Many wonderful things God has done for us. In Psalm 139, the first wonder of God’s knowledge is being revealed in verse 1 – 6. His knowledge is infinite, Psalms 147:5 says “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite”. So His wonders towards us are great and His knowledge is indeed great one. Not, how we think about God is something great, but how God thinks about us is indeed a great thing. So, His thought regarding ourselves is great. He thinks about us all the time that indeed is a great thing. Many at times we think that no one is caring for us, none of them are helping us, but there is a Wonderful God, who all the time is thinking about us. And also His works are powerful.

We know that he brings the dead ones into life. In Mark 5:41, a young lad was dead, but He raised her up and in Luke 7:14 a young man died and the Lord went and touched the bier and said“Young man, I say unto thee arise, immediately he rose from the dead”. In John 11:43 we know that Lazarus was dead for 4 days, buried but he received the life back because there is power in His word.

Even the words the Lord uttered on the cross are powerful words. Luke 23:34 says, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots”. These are the wonderful words filled with power. A worst sinner can become a saint in the eyes of God. Provided if he truly repents of all his sins and confess before the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive his sins and to wash his sins in His blood. And the curse which was on us has been removed and we have been given heavenly blessings. Not only that, we have a hope that we are going to meet Lord Jesus Christ face to face and we will be like Him. 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is”. So His knowledge concerning us is that He knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts, He knows our words, He knows our innermost feelings of what is going on within us. So, He is a wonderful God filled with infinite knowledge.

Secondly, the wonders of ‘God’s Presence’ is given to us

Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. His presence will be given to us when we come together in His house and in His presence. Matthew 28:20 says “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. In all our days, our Lord will be with us. Hebrews 13:5 says “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. Our God is wonderful and His presence is always with us. Because God’s presence will be with us we should be very careful of our words, our thoughts, our deeds and our actions. And in the Bible we come across how God was with man. When the young lad Ishmael was born, God was with him, God was with Abraham, God was with Jacob, and God was with David so on and so forth.

And God’s presence for a believer will be given to them. When we enjoy the presence of God what will be the benefit for us? We will be comforted, and there will be peace given to us. Not only peace, there will be joy, strength and encouragement to us. For all those who don’t have the presence of God, the unbelievers, it will be a terrible and a fearful thing. But praise God, as a believer, God has given us His presence.

Thirdly, we see the wonders of ‘God’s Power’

When a child is conceived in the mother’s womb, right from the beginning we see the power of God is being manifested with the child. He gives body, soul and spirit. It is indeed a wonderful thing, how the child has been formed in the mother’s womb, also how the bone will grow is also a wonderful thing. And more than all, from the mother’s womb God has chosen us. That is a wonderful thing. Jeremiah 1: 5 says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations”. When we see the beautiful creation of God we see behind it the wonders of God’s power. Not only outward body but also power is seen in the inward body.  That is the wonders of God’s power. So, His thought towards us is a wonderful thing.

Fourthly, we see the wonders of ‘ God’s Judgement’

For a believer, there is no judgement; there is no condemnation because our judgement, our condemnation has come upon the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. When we truly repented of our sins and exercise the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,  and accept Him as our Lord and saviour, we have been set free from the judgement, condemnation and from the Eternal death and hell fire. That is a wonderful thing that God has delivered us from judgement. But for an unbeliever, he has to stand before the white throne of judgement seat, and they will be judged and they will be condemned eternally. Scripture says, for them there will be the eternal hell fire, but praise God, our God Lord Jesus Christ has delivered us from that. Psalms 139: 22, 23 says “I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:”

It is a wonderful thing if you are in the everlasting ways. His judgements are wonderful; altogether He is indeed a wonderful God. This morning hour we have come to worship this wonderful God, we are serving a God who is wonderful. Our God is indeed a wonderful God. In this morning hour we are assembled to know, understand and also experience his wonder and worship the Lord. So we have experienced the wonders of God’s knowledge, and the wonders of God’s presence, and God’s Power, also experienced the wonders of God’s judgement. So let us open our hearts and Worship our Lord for all the wonders which He had done in our lives.

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