Luke 24:13-35
Two disciples of the Lord, one named Cleopas, were leaving Jerusalem for Emmaus, a 7 mile walk in the afternoon of the day the Lord Jesus rose from the dead.
This event was recorded only in the Gospel of Luke.
I considered this to be an important post resurrection appearances of the Lord.
These two were first very disappointed with what took place in Jerusalem.
Their disappointment lead them away from the source of strength.
In their disappointment they were confused and filled with despair for what happened to Lord Jesus.
They expected HIM to be the redeemer of Israel.
Some women came and told them that the Lord is alive.
But they refused to accept it with their unbelief.
As they were travelling to Emmaus, Lord Jesus joined them on the way.
The two travelers were the most fortunate people to have an extended conversation with the Lord and the privilege of having a meal with the Lord.
Most importantly they had a detailed exposure to the Scriptures by the Lord Himself.
27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 
When they recognized the risen Lord, they went back to Jerusalem to share their joy and the personal fellowship with the Lord.
On this Easter morning the road to Emmaus can teach the believers as well as unbelievers many valuable lessons.
To the Believers
Our Emmaus road begins when the Lord is not walking with us anymore.
We are all by ourselves, confused, disappointed and no idea where we are going.
The believers’ Emmaus road may lead them in momentary disappointments of life and loneliness, despair, confusion and unbelief.
But will eventually turn them back to Jerusalem, the source of strength because the Lord joins them in fellowship.
It could be our quite time in prayer or meditation of HIS Word or listening to a sermon.
Our source of strength lies in the Word of God, Church fellowship, fellowship with fellow believers and above fellowship with Lord Himself.
Fellowship with the risen Lord makes all difference in our life.
The believer’s hope and strength is the resurrection power of the Lord.
Only proof anyone can give today for the Lord is alive is our own life.
To those who never met the risen Lord
They are also walking on the Emmaus road of their own making.
Their Emmaus Road filled with disappointments in life, confused with social behavior, ignorant of moral values, living only for the present and lonely without hope of future.
For them the Lord Jesus was just a prophet, good teacher and a good man.
Their eyes were blinded by unbelief of His resurrection truth.
They continue to fail to recognize the fact that the tomb is empty today.
The unbelievers’ Emmaus road leads them to eternal judgment and hell.
The risen Lord can and will transform any unbeliever’s life provided they open their heart and accept HIM as Lord and Savior.
My friend, Lord Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocks for you to open.
Because there is no handle outside of the door and only you can open it.
May the risen Lord bless you and lead you on the Emmaus road of your life that leads to everlasting fellowship with HIM.


 

Good Friday 2013
We have honored and revered the day our Lord paid the ultimate price for human sin on the Calvary Cross some two Thousand years ago.
On the Cross Lord Jesus Christ spoke Seven Words before HIS death.
Our Church members each shared their thoughts on them.
It is a wonderful experience for me as a Pastor to sit and listen to them.
Bro. Raj Nathan spoke on Luke 23:24 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.
He said God’s mercy was expressed on everyone irrespective of his/her intentional and un-intentional wrong doings committed in one’s life.
The very words the Lord had spoken expresses God’s forgiveness to those who did not deserve that mercy.
Bro. Benson Thomas spoke on Luke 23:43 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise”
He said that both thieves knew who Jesus was.
First thief was insulting the Lord for not helping him to get out his miserable condition.
He was only interested in salvation from his present.
The second thief was focusing on his life after death and understands his condition justified.
Ms. Vicky Reddy spoke on John 19:26-27 “Woman, your son; Son, your mother.”
She says that even in HIS dying moments the Lord did not forget HIS responsibility as the first born son to take care of HIS mother who suffered much for HIM during HIS birth to HIS formative years.
At the same token Lord Jesus was disconnecting Himself from all earthly bonds.
Ms. Barbara Reddy spoke on Matt 27:46 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
She says after 6 hours of hanging on the cross Lord Jesus was lonely, betrayed, and left.
He became 100% man for our sin and reels under the impact of separation from the Father.
That’s when HE says ‘why’ as a child and cries out for HIS physical separation.
Ms. Jemy Thomas spoke on John 19:28 “I thirst”.
She says that Lord Jesus cried aloud to fulfill the prophetic says recorded in Old Testament.
Lord Jesus was extremely exhausted and parched and felt the need of a drink.
The One who promised living waters is now asking for earthly water.
He fulfilled more prophetic saying uttered by the Old Testament prophets than anyone in the human history.
Bro. Raj Nathan spoke on John 19:30 “It is finished"
He says that Lord Jesus came to this world with a mission to die for human sin.
His words and works completed the task given to HIM during His earthly mission.
He was humble enough to die on the cross for everyone so that they may live.
He finished the purpose of His Incarnation completely.
Pastor John spoke on Luke 23:46 “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit”.
He begins with ‘Father’ and end with ‘Father’.
Lord Jesus has the power to surrender His spirit to the  Father.
The spirit is the life giving breath that God the Father gives to every living being on Planet Earth.
God breathed into the nostrils of Adam to make him a living man.
Unless Lord Jesus releases that spirit (breath) HE cannot die as human being.
The moment has come for HIM to die and close the book on  incarnation.
The spirit is just the breath of life but not the soul of Lord Jesus.
Every human being has a soul which is different from the  breath.
When the breath goes away we die but the soul never dies.
The life giving breath is only required for this planet earth not for the other dimension.
So also Lord Jesus has a soul which is the soul of God.
His being, THE SPIRIT is the same that of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
They are all one in essence but in three personalities.
His soul does not return to God because HE IS GOD even in His human body.
Because of God’s soul in HIM, HE always remained sinless from conception to cross.
These were HIS last words as human being for the benefit of the world.
HIS soul (SPIRIT) returns to Jesus in the grave on the Easter Morning to be raised in glorious body.
On the day of Rapture, the dead and the living in Christ will be raised in glorious body like our Lord Jesus Christ.


 

Luke 19:28-44
Today is Palm Sunday, ‘The Triumphal Entry’.
Our Lord Jesus enters Jerusalem city on a donkey’s back.
This event was recorded in all the 4 Gospels.
The Gospel writers had in mind a particular segment of people when they were describing this event.
Matthew was writing to Jewish people with an emphasis on Jesus as King.
Mark was writing to Romans describing the Lord as a perfect  servant.
Luke was writing to Greeks and Gentiles with an emphasis on Jesus as the Son of Man.
John was writing to the whole world declaring Jesus as Son of God.
The first 9 verses are common to all Gospels with little variations.
Riding on a donkey was to fulfill a prophetic saying recorded in Zech 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.”
Matt says “Hosanna” (save) to the Son of David because he was talking to Jews.
Mark simply says “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David” because of Romans and Roman rule.
Luke adds “peace in heaven and glory in the highest” for the sake of Greeks and Gentiles.
John declares “blessed is the King of Israel” making a historical connection.
If we look at the crowds followed HIM to Jerusalem, we can observe three groups of people.
Verse 37 describes The Committed People who were followers of the Lord Jesus throughout HIS earthly ministry.
Many had witnessed miracles after miracles, heard HIM taught and even saw dead being raised.
A committed follower recognizes Jesus and accepts HIM as Lord and Savior.
Committed followers give willingly of themselves for the cause of Christ. 
A committed follower of Christ is the one who follows Lord Jesus no matter what. 
Let me share a real life incident happened recently.
A young aspiring software engineer has done an extra-ordinary thing just because she believed in Lord Jesus as her Savior and committed her life to HIM.
She felt in her heart that the Lord was telling her to shed all falsehood in her life.
She told her employer that her experience reflected on the application was false and not true.
She was immediately fired from her job.
She put her job, security and status in this country on line for the sake of the Lord.
She knows that she may have to go back to her country if her visa is not renewed.
All that she aspired and wanted to be in life is at risk just because she trusted the Lord and wanted to do the right thing before the Lord.
Verse 39 describes The Curious People
People like the Pharisees.
They were not shouting, or singing or waving palm branches or laying their clothes before the Lord.
They were not in the least bit interested in being identified with the Lord.
But they do follow the Lord for the wrong reasons.
They try to find fault with people who followed Jesus, criticize them and ridicule them..
The curious avoid any commitment to the Lord for the fear of status, society and security.
They think that Lord Jesus came to serve them but not to save them.
For many God is just an ATM card to meet all their needs.
For some it is just physical healing they seek from the Lord.
To some the Lord should help them to get over their difficulties and problems.
Such people will be condemned for not making the next step to accept and believe in the Lord as Messiah.
Verses 41-44 show a glimpse of The Condemned People
Lord was particularly referring to the people lived during HIS time at Jerusalem.
When Lord Jesus came to them they failed to recognize HIM as God.
Many see Lord Jesus as a good man, a prophet or a wise man today.
But never accept HIM as Savior who saves from their sin.
Such people stand condemned to eternal HELL for rejecting the Lord Jesus.
The committed are blessed with eternal life and a definite place in HEAVEN.
The curious still have time to repent and commit their life to HIM.
My friend, if you just remain as a curious person you can never know Lord Jesus personally.
Which group identifies you the most?


 
 

Rev 3:7-13
Lord Jesus speaks of His unique authority to each of the seven churches.
To the church of Philadelphia, Lord describes Himself as someone who is holy and true and holds sovereign authority over the church.
In that ancient culture and city there were hundreds of false god and goddesses.
The Lord makes it very clear to them that HE is the Holy God and true God.
He is authentic God not like one of the manufactured pagan gods.
This phrase “who holds the key of David” is a reference from Isaiah Ch. 22.
This phrase has a direct reference to Lord Jesus millennial rule as David’s heir.
Lord Jesus has the political authority to do whatever HE  wants.
Verse seven declares that Lord Jesus is Holy God who has the sovereign power as a king.
In verse 8 the Lord recognizes and commends them for their faithfulness and service.
He saw their frailty but also their faithfulness.
The church at Philadelphia was a small group of people kept their faith and never denied the Lord in front of the pagan friends and society.
The Lord commends them for their zeal for the Gospel and placed them before ‘an open door no one can shut’.
It means that they have endless possibilities to reach people for the Lord.
Verse 9 points to the two groups of people, believers and  non-believers.
Like in Smyrna, the Lord mentions another synagogue of Satan at Philadelphia.
We can expect Satan’s ‘base camps’ wherever the Gospel is  preached.
When a church is at work there will bealways opposition from Satan.
Bible says that Jews were physical descendants of  Abraham.
His spiritual descendants are those who accepted Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior.
One author says that “It is a lie to claim that a person can know God without personal faith in Jesus.”
The Lord is promising that the oppositions will melt down and barriers will be broken.
In verse 10 we see a direct reference to 7 years Tribulation Period after Rapture of the Church.
Under Satan and his devils tribulation period will be the most horrifying, deadly, wicked time the world has ever seen.
The whole world is going to be subjected to this period with utmost misery and chaos.
Holy Spirit will be taken out of the earth and all evil will break loose.
The Lord is definitely promising the church at Philadelphia and also us that all believers in the Lord will never see that day.
All will be raptured before the Tribulation period  begins.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
In this verse the Lord not only saying you will not see the tribulation period but also be ready to receive their rewards.
But the key statement is “Hold on to what you have”.
Lord was seeing something precious in them and commands them to hold on to that.
Their rewards are waiting for them and for us.
In Verse 12 the Lord shows a glimpse of Heaven with New Jerusalem coming out of heaven.
Temple refers to the inner part of the temple where God  lives.
So a believer in the Lord will be in the presence of God in New Jerusalem as strong pillars.
Not only that all believers in Lord Jesus will get an name tag or ID card.
On that ID card Lord Jesus will write the ‘Name of God’;Name of the city which is ‘New Jerusalem’; and a ‘New Name’ never to be repeated for another person.
SUMMARY
Our Lord Jesus declares that HE is the true God and a Holy God.
There is no one like HIM in the multitude of the world’s gods and goddesses.
HE has absolute power and authority over all governments of this world.
The Lord will never allow HIS faithful and true believers to see the Tribulation period.
We all will be raptured if we are still alive when the Lord returns for the Church.
AT present HE placed all believers with endless possibilities to share the Gospel.
HE enables us to overcome Satan’s strategies with His Holy Spirit.
The barriers from Satan will be broken and new possibilities created.
Most importantly all believers will have new ID card with our new name on it.
The Lord just encourages us to hold on to our faith till our last breath.


 
 

Rev 3:1-6
Sardis was a wealthy city in the kingdom Lydia situated on a major trade route.
Main Temple was that of Artimes also known as Diana, a goddess of fertility and moon.
In this letter Lord Jesus never mentioned persecution, false doctrine or any compromise.
One scholar puts this way that “This church was just comfortable, content, coasting, and living off its good reputation. The church had reputation without reality” 
Sardis might have a great reputation for its ministry and service.
The Lord was seeing this church living in its past glory and declaring them to be dead.
One scholar describes that when Lord Jesus took the pulse of the church, HE could not find a strong pulse but a feeble one.
Scholars conclude that Sardis was a ‘cold church’.
Churches that are still living in the past glory are spiritually dead in the present.
What is that leads to spiritual coldness?
It all begins with the thinking that they are believers but they are not.
They think they are saved and really act like saved people.
They never tasted the joy of salvation in their hearts to begin with.
The Lord says to such unbelievers in the church unless you repent you are going to die spiritually.
Lord is telling them that you may be doing everything right in the sight of the world but I see them incomplete without salvation.
In verse 3 the Lord reminds them of the first Gospel message they heard.
He says still there is time for them to repent and accept the Gospel.
In this verse He is not referring to the born again Christians repenting for sins committed after receiving salvation.
But the Lord is addressing those who never repented for their sins after hearing the Gospel.
He says to them that He is going to come back when it is going to be too late. 
The rapture as HE comes for the church and believers.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with ME (Jesus), dressed in white, for they are worthy.
The Lords finds few believers in the midst of spiritually dead people.
These people will walk with the LORD in the Kingdom to come. 
They will be dressed in white garments.
White garments describe the purity and sinless condition.
Remember that no unrepented sinner can enter into heaven.
They are also considered worthy for their souls were washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Verse 5 the Lord is talking about those believers, who are dressed in white, their names will never be blotted out of the ‘Book of Life’.
We are looking at two books one the Book of the Living and the other the Book of Life.
The Book of the Living contains the names of all the people who are alive on Planet Earth.
When a person dies, his/her name will be removed permanently from this book.
This book is nothing to do with the Book of Life.
In this verse Lord Jesus was talking about the ‘Book of Life’.
Only true believers who washed their souls in the blood of the Lamb will find their names written in the Book of Life.
So this book is also called ‘The Lamb’s Book of Life’.
Once truly saved will never be blotted out of the ‘Book of Life’.
Once truly born again in the Lord will never be unborn’.
The Lord gives that person a new name and HE will acknowledge him/her before God.
The important criterion for this eligibility is that person’s soul must be washed in the blood of the Lamb and declared a forgiven sinner.
A true believer’s name will never be blotted out of the Book of Life.
Once written in the Book of Life, the name cannot and will not be erased.
So the question is who is a true and genuine believer and who is not.
Church people like Sardis thought that they were saved but were cold and dead spiritually.
Their names were never written in the Book of Life to begin with.
“The one who is victorious” is referred to the faithful few in that Church whose names will never be blotted out.
Are we sure that our hearts are washed in the precious blood of the Lord?
Do we confidently and courageously say that we are forgiven sinners?
Do we have any shred of doubt in our heart?
Why it is so important that our names should be written in the ‘Book of Life’?
Because at the ‘White Throne’ judgment, all those whose names are not in the ‘Book of Life’ will be condemned to eternal lake of fire what we call as HELL’.
Knowing that our names are written in the Book of Life is the most precious thought and assurance we all must have.
Our life on earth will have new purpose and meaning as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.


  


  

Rev 2:18-29
In Acts 16 we come across a woman called Lydia who was a seller of purple clothes.
She was the first responder to the Gospel and later she opened her home to Apostle Paul.
The church at Thyatira might have been established because of her faithfulness.
Apostle John sees a significant Christian community existed in Thyatira.
In Verse 18 the Lord Jesus was telling the Church at Thyatira that HE was not the sun God but the SON of God.
Because, the people at Thyatira were familiar with Apollo, the sun god
The Lord’s blazing eyes; burnished bronze feet convey a strong message of a Judge.
HE sees everything and will not tolerate falsehood in the church.
19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
The church had all the ingredients and characteristics of a true church.
The Lord commends the believers for their sincere efforts to hang in there.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 
Once again we observe the church at Thyatira was accommodating a false teacher in a leadership position.
So the scholars named this church “a corrupted church”
In spite of their faithful service, the Lord has this against them that they tolerated a woman called Jezebel, a self-appointed prophetess.
The church not only gave a leadership position but also accepted her false teachings.
Because of her false teachings, they were misled into sexual immorality and eating food offered to idols.
Sexual immorality is not the same thing as committing adultery or prostitution.
This act is associated with idol worship where people engage in promiscuity, revelry, licentious behavior and eating food offered to idols. 
The believers were deceived to practice such sinful and unbiblical teachings.
“Jezebel taught the church to combine paganism and Christianity. The appeal for this combination was sex. Whenever we combine Christianity with paganism, truth always loses out.”
In verses 21-23, we clearly observe the Lord’s response to their compromise.
The Lord spoke of inescapable punishment for them who did not repent including Jezebel.
Always we are reminded by the Lord that Satan deceives, destroys and leads people into utter darkness and death of the soul in the lake of fire.
An encouraging message from the Lord in verses 24-25.
He declares that HE is going to come again for the believer dead or alive.
 In verse 26-28, the Lord is speaking of rewards to those faithful few in Thyatira.
Believers will hold positions of authority in the millennial kingdom of the Lord.
And also grants them an intimate knowledge of ‘the Morning Star’.
One author says “The victor will not only share in the rights of a victor, but he will enter into deep fellowship with Christ Himself when He comes again. Jesus gives special wisdom to conquering Christians about Himself.”
CONCLUSION
The Lord Jesus is declaring in this letter to Thyatira that HE is God and cannot tolerate persons who promote false religion associated with idolatry and immorality.
He is warning the believers against people like Jezebel who leads the faithful astray.
Today there are many Jezebels corrupting the church and unfortunately many Christians are following such wicked leaders.
The ultimate end of them will be eternal darkness, destruction and death.
To those who overcome, HE promised two things.
1. We will be ruling with the LORD JESUS in authority in the 1000 year rule on earth.
2. We will have a close, intimate, exclusive knowledge of the Lord in eternity.