Madurai 12th Aug 2012

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What does life mean to you?

Larger than life – Dream Hero ?

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Beauty fantasy?

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AVERAGE YOUNG WOMEN IN METRO: CAREER WOMAN MEDIA CRAZY MATERIALISTIC PLEASURE SEEKING….

BUT EITHER UNAWARE OF OR WITH A UNANSWERED QUESTION…

WHAT DOES LIFE HOLD FOR

ME?

LIFE OF FRUSTRATIONS / FAILURES / DISAPPOINTMENTS….?

HOPELESS LIFE ?

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WHY WAS I BORN ?WHY WAS I BORN

IN MY FAMILY/ IN THIS SOCIETY/ IN INDIA/

AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME? WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF I WAS NOT BORN

AT ALL ?WOULD BE BETTER IF I DIE & ESCAPE !OR AT LEAST MANAGE TO SURVIVE IN LIFE?VENTHATHAI THINDRU, VERUMANE

VAZHNDHU, VIDHI VANTHAAL SAAVU !

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YOU NEED TO BE SAVED / SALVAGED

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PART-1 WHY SHOULD YOU BE SAVED?

MANKIND & SIN•JESUS CHRIST - BORN SINLESS & LIVED SINLESS (HEB 7:26). •EVERY OTHER HUMAN BEING - DEAD IN OWN SIN (EPH 2:1-3). •ZOMBIES WITHOUT SPIRIT. FOUR ACTS OF COMMISSION OR OMISSION - SIN:A. SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Pride) B1. OBEYING SINFUL NATURE B2. OBEYING WORLD SYSTEMB3. OBEYING SATAN

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1. “SELF” - SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS

GOOD PEOPLE DON’T GO TO HEAVEN – ONLY PERFECT PEOPLE

•JER 17:9 “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS AND BEYOND CURE. WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT?”

•ISA 64:6 IN THE PRESENCE OF MOST HOLY GOD – I AM UNCLEAN

EVALUATION AS PER OWN CONSCIENCE = SERIOUS DANGER (PRO16:25).

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2. SIN – II CAUSE : LIFE REIGNED BY SINFUL NATURE

•SINFUL ADAMIC NATURE - PSALM 51:5•ONE IS TEMPTED BY HER OWN EVIL DESIRE

- JAS 1:14-15 •SATURATED WITH A DESIRE TO COMMIT SIN

- ROM 7:15-24

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3. SIN – III CAUSE : FOLLOWING SINFUL WORLD

DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD. (MATT 4:17 & ROM 12:2)

RELATIVES, FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCESTV, MOVIES, INTERNET INSINUATIONSGOVERNMENT – any order against God’s lawRELIGIOUS DICTATS: (MATT 7:21-27 & MARK 7:1-13).

4. MY TRUE MASTER ?

John 8:4410:10 A

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4. Obeying and living unto Satan’s temptation.

Through many meansNo one is righteous (Rom 3:10).

CONSEQUENCES OF SINSBecame enemies of God (Col 1:21)Alienated from God.

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CONSEQUENCES:BLINDED SPIRITUAL EYES

(2 COR 4:4)

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CONSEQUENCES:

MEANINGLESS LIFE IN BONDAGE

(JN 8:44)

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CONSEQUENCES OF SINSCAPTIVES OBEY SATAN AND FULFILL HIS EVIL WILL

(2 TIM 2:26). DEPRAVED MIND (ROM 1:28-32).

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ESCAPE ROUTE ?

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MAN’S CHOICE – SCHEMES – WISE IN HIS OWN EYES

•ROMANS 1:25: DECEIVED BY SATAN, REJECTING GOD’S TRUTH,

•DEVISING THEIR OWN SCHEMES=JUDE 11: REJECTED “GOD’S WAY,” &

CHOSE “CAIN’S WAY” •BLOODLESS SACRIFICE.•“WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS” HEB 9:22. •MANMADE = ‘RELIGION’

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CHRISTIAN “RELIGION” ?

•ACCEPTABLE WAY TO WORSHIP GOD. JN 4:23-24; HEB 12:28.•PHIL 4:9 - PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY. IT IS NOT :

•DEAD, •DRY, •FORMAL, •HUMAN RELIGION OF RITUALS, •OUTWARD FORM, •AND OUTWARD SHOW,

•BUT A DIVINE, LIVING, VITAL, DYNAMIC & LIBERATING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

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–WHO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH? ROM 7:7-26

MY ENEMY WITHIN

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FOR REDEMPTION / SALVATION

USELESS TO FOLLOW: •A DEVOUT RELIGIOUS LIFE? •A LIFE FULL OF GOOD DEEDS & VIRTUES?

WILL NOT GOD ACCEPT THEM?= EARNED MERIT VS BESTOWED MERIT –

Isa 64:6 (& Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5-7).

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OUR DESPERATE CRY FOR DELIVERANCE…

CONSEQUENCE =

YOUR DESTROYED LIFE HERE ON EARTH

YOUR CONDEMNATION FOREVER IN LAKE OF FIRE

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YOU NEED A SAVIOR / DELIVERER !

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PART II

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The ONLY Answer : “Jesus Christ ..”

Romans 7:25 – 8:1)

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JESUS CHRIST CLAIMS

JN 10:10B. “ I WILL GIVE YOU LIFE IN ITS FULLNESS”

JESUS CHRIST – ‘SAVIOUR & REDEEMER’

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WHO IS THIS JESUS OF NAZARETH?

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UNIQUENESS OF JESUS CHRIST

REASONS1. JESUS DELIVERS

Only He delivers us from the slavery of sin & Satan.

Jn 8:31-32.

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2. LORD GOD FORGIVES SINS

ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST JN 1:29, 36; 1 PET 3:18-19; 1 JN 2:2; HEB 9:1.

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SAVIOR of all men (“HAMOSHIA L’CHOL ADAM” = Ham-moh-shee-a le-chol-a-Dahm) unique name = “HAMASHIACH” = Ham-mah-shee-akh

YEHOVAH SHUA (LORD IS MY SAVIOUR) =

YEHOSHUA = HOSEA = YOSHUA = YESHUA

YESHUA = ye-SHOO-ah - ‘Jesus’ (Mt 1:21) IESOU. unique ministry = Acts 4:12

3. REDEEMER (HAGOEL= HA-GO-EL)

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I. UNIQUE INTRODUCTION

LORD GOD’S INTRODUCTION TO MOSES. EHYEH ASHER EHYEH = EH-YEH A-SHER-EH- YEHYHWH = YEHOVAH = I AM THAT I AM = LORD (EX 3:14). JESUS = “YHWH – I AM”. · “BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS BORN” Jn 8:58 “I am…….!”· “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” Jn 6:35 “I am……!”· “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” Jn 8:12 “I am……!”· “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD” Jn 10:11 “I am……!”· “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE” Jn 11:25 “I am……!”· “I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” JN 14:6 “I am……!”· “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE.” Jn 4:25-26 “I am……!”· “I AM THE LORD” Jn 13:13-14 “I am……!”· “I AM THE GATE” Jn 10:9 “I am……!”· “I AM THE TRUE VINE” Jn 15:1 “I am……!”

YESHUASON OF GOD

HEAVEN

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II. UNIQUE BIRTH

Prophecy fulfilled:

VIRGIN WOMAN - “IMMANUEL” = “GOD IS WITH US” – THE SON OF GOD - SON OF MAN. (IS 7:14-16).

(When we receive ‘Jesus’ as our Lord, He is our ‘Immanuel’ !)BETHLEHEM. MIC 5:2.

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III. UNIQUE LIFE

BORN SINLESS & LIVED SINLESS. EX 12:5

BLEMISHLESS LAMB – 4 DAYS/4 YEARS PUBLIC LIFE OF TESTIMONY. JN 8:46; HEB 4:15.

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IV. UNIQUE POWER

1. POWER & AUTHORITY OVER QUALITY : JN 2:1-11.

OUR LOWLY VESSEL - USEFUL VESSEL OF HONOUR JOY OF THE LORD - OVERFLOWING LIVING WATERS.

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IV. UNIQUE POWER

2. POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER

QUANTITY :

JN 6:1-14.

OFFER HIM ONLY OUR HEART.

QUALIFIES US, - • HIS GIFTS OF

GRACE, • TALENTS &• ENERGY

SIMPLE FISHERMEN -

WORLD CHANGERS.

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IV. UNIQUE POWER

3. POWER OVER NATURE : Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:23-25. Jn 14:22-29; Jn 6:15-21

Matthew 14 narrative:

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Omnipotent GodNature not a limit

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4. POWER OVER DISTANCE:

JN 4:44-54.

OMNIPRESENT GOD. DISTANCE NOT A LIMIT.

SPOKEN WORD IS ADEQUATE.

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5. POWER OVER TIME

JN 5:1-15.

OMNIPRESENT GOD. Time is not a limit - ALPHA AND OMEGA.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

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6. POWER OVER MISFORTUNE

Jn 9:1-3.

You are no more a misfortune !You are a blessing unto others !

Rom 8:28. Unique blessing – only for who trust in Jesus Christ.

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7. POWER OVER DEATH

JN 11:1-44.Man’s worst fear overcome

No more ‘death’ but only ‘sleep’ for disciplesAll men are redeemed from physical death but forBELIEVERS, REDEMPTION OF SOULS TOO.Jesus’ death & resurrection-fulfillment of prophecies.(Jn 20).

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UNIQUE SIGNS.ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE.

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V. UNIQUE MINISTRY

•FIRST ADAM - SINFUL NATURE = •FIRST DEATH OF BODY & •SECOND DEATH IN LAKE OF FIRE •SECOND ADAM JESUS CHRIST = •ATONING SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE, •BELIEVER’S DEATH & RECREATION IN JESUS CHRIST.

1 Pet, 3:18; Ro, 5:12-19. 1 Jn, 2:2.

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THE DIVINE EXCHANGE ON THE CROSS

SON OF GOD BECAME SON OF MAN (BORN OF VIRGIN MARY)

SO THAT

SONS (& DAUGHTERS) OF MEN CAN BECOME SONS OF GODPHIL 2:6-11; GAL 4:4-5; JN 1:12; RO 8:14.

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HE TOOK OUR SICKNESSES

SO THAT

WE ARE HEALED AND MADE WHOLE. Is 53:5; Mt 8:17; 1 Pet 2:24.

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RIGHTEOUS JESUS MADE TO BE ‘SIN’

so that

we who are sinners MADE ‘righteousness’ of God IN HIM. 2 Cor 5:21.

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JESUS CHRIST BECAME A CURSE So that

GOD’S BLESSINGS MAY BE UPON US PEOPLE DELIVERED FROM CURSES.

Gal 3:10, 13.

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JESUS WAS FORSAKEN BY HIS FATHER

so that

WE WHO ARE ALIENATED FROM GOD ARE RECONCILED WITH GOD.

Col 1:20-21 and Mt 27:46

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Eloi, Eloi, lama sabakthani? SEPARATION FROM GOD

So that

WE ARE MADE PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD Jn 3:14-16; Col 2:13; Is 53:6; 1 Cor 15:35-54; Rev 21:3-4.

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JESUS CHRIST BORN POOR & DIED POOR

So that (OUR STOLEN RIGHTS) –

BELIEVERS ARE MADE RICH (not the prosperity of the world)I. ALL SPIRITUAL RICHES - HOLY SPIRIT.. 2 COR 8:9; EPH 1:3.

OUR NEEDS ARE MET NOW.II. HEAVEN’S FULL RICHES LATER.

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JESUS TOOK OUR WEAKNESSES

SO THAT

WE MAY RECEIVE HIS STRENGTH Is 53:4; Act 1:8 “Let the weak say I am strong”

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SO THAT

TRUSTING REPENTANT SINNERS ARE MADE SAINTS. IS 53:12; LK 22:37; MK 15:‘28’.

JESUS CRUCIFIED AMONG SINNERS

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JESUS CHRIST, THE TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, DIED IN DARKNESS

•We – under bondage of Kingdom of darkness –

delivered & brought into Kingdom of Light - spiritually ENLIGHTENED Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5; Mt 27:45.

•We were dead in our sins, He made us alive through the cross. Jn 3:3-5; Col 2:13; Eph 2:4-5.

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“TETELESTAI”

PERFECT DELIVERANCE –

When Jesus Christ fulfilled -“IT IS FINISHED”. Jn 19:30.

-acceptable substitutionary & atonement sacrifice once for all. Heb 10:10.

His resurrection consummated this deliverance of believers. 1 Pet 1:4, 21; 1 Cor 15.

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1. REALIZE MY SPIRITUAL CONDITION Prodigal son -Lk 15:11-24. Check yourself : · Who guides me “SELF” – MY SOUL – MY REASONING – MY WILL / WILL OF GOD?

(Is.14:12-17; Eze. 28:12-17; Eph.2:1-3). · Does sinful nature rule me? (Eph 2:1-3; Gal 5:19:21). · Love for the world? No two masters (Eph 2:1-2; Jas 4:4). · Am I obeying Satan? (Jn 8:44; Eph 2:2).

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? (Acts 16:30)

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2. REPENT

(Mt 4:17; Pr 28:13; Ps 51:17).

•humble ourselves •broken spirit • contrite heart •confess our sins to God • seek His grace and forgiveness. Without humility and faith in His goodness it is impossible to please God. Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14; Ps 51:17.

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3. UNDERSTAND GOD’S GRACE. BELIEVE AND RECEIVE

Genesis 3:15 ONLY THROUGH HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON JESUS CHRIST forgivenss of sins, heavenly peace, deliverance from bondage, eternal life in God’s presence and countless heavenly and earthly blessings

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BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Freely given. Not earned but free gift - PURE GRACE .

Jn 1:12; 14:6; Acts 4:12.GOOD PEOPLE DO NOT GO TO HEAVEN- ONLY PERFECT PEOPLE CAN GO TO HEAVEN

SOLA FIDE Romans 1:17. 100 % faith.JESUS CHRIST WAS RESURRECTEDBelieving confess

1 Cor 15:3-8, 13-21; Ro 10:9-10; 1 Pet 1:4, 21.

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4. COMMITMENT TO OBEY THE WORD OF GOD

The ‘Touch-stone’ that reveals a true believer

Untrustworthy son Mt 21:28-31.“If you love me, you will obey what I command. Jn 14:15; 15:10. Obedience shows that you are a child of God. Ro 1:6; 16:25.

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BENEFITS OF REDEMPTION

Forgiveness, conscience free of guilt & God’s peace. Ro 5:1.Jesus’ fellowship with us. Rev 3:20. Becoming born again - a child of God. Jn 3:5; Tit 3:5-7.Old Adamic sinful nature crucified with Jesus Christ. Resurrected with Jesus Christ as a new man of God. 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20.

Children of God. Jn 1:12. 2 Ambassadors of Heaven on earth. Cor 5:20-21New life in Christ. Jn 5:24.SLEEPING GIANT AWAKENED.

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Delivered from power of sin, world & Satan Ro 6:6, 18.

Reckoned righteous by God. adopted children of God. Rom 3:21-26

Heavenly eternal life. 1 Jn 5:11-13.Every blessings. 1 Cor 1:30; Eph 1:3; 2 Cor 1:20.

Holy Spirit’s seal of ownership. Acts 2:33. Seated in the heavenly realms with Jesus Christ.

Eph 2:7

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ABUNDANT LIFE !FRUITFUL LIFE !ETERNAL LIFE !

VICTORIOUS LIFE !YOUR LIFE HAS A DIVINE PURPOSE !

YOU ARE SPECIAL !YOU ARE UNIQUE !

God Loves You !