Mystery

00:17 >> Suffered, died, and rose again. He ascended into heaven. He shall soon come again. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in holy fellowship, faith forgiving, I believe the Holy Bible is the perfect word of God. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. And I can do what it says I can do. Today, as I learn the word of God here in my spiritual family, I am blessed, healed, and anointed for a holy and victorious living. I will never again be the same in Jesus' name. Amen. The Lord bless us. Please be seated as we turn our attention to the holy table of our Lord. To partake of the Lord's holy body and his precious blood. In some ways, it's a unique [snorts] feeling today because it's probably the last holy communion of this year.

01:20 The next one we will partake in the midnight service as we enter into the new year. We're thankful to God for this 12 months of his faithfulness. The Holy Bible reminds us that the Lord Jesus, when he offered himself as a sacrifice, he did not do it for himself. In the Old Testament, when each priest would offer a sacrifice, the Bible says they offered it first for themselves, for the forgiveness of their own sin, and then for the people they represented. It specifically says in the book of Hebrews, when Christ our Lord offered himself as a sacrifice, he had nothing to offer for himself as in there was no sin in him, and the complete offering of sacrifice was for us. For it was the penalty of our sins that

02:22 took him to the cross. And today, as we thank him for all of us who partake of and commemorate his death, please don't forget that's only half the story. The greater half is that he came alive out of the grave and established the power of his covenant in the work of his cross. >> [snorts] >> When a person die as a grandparent, as a grandmother, they write a will sometimes. Their property is given to the children or the grandchildren. But after they are dead, the children or grandchildren have to take the will and enforce it sometimes through the strength of the judicial courts. The person who died will not come to enforce the will. Those who are alive have to enforce the will.

03:24 But the Bible says in the book of Hebrews, in this case there is a difference. Christ, who went to the cross and enforced and gave us the will of the Father as the blessing of God, has come back alive to ensure what he accomplished on the cross is enforced. He is alive with us to enforce the cause for which he died. The Bible says, by his wounds we are healed. Through his poverty, he made us prosperous. That he anointed us by his grace. Holding the elements of communion in our hands, shall we close our eyes and thank the Lord as baptized believers committed to the work of the cross. Say, Lord, thank you that you went to the cross and by your we are healed. By your precious blood, we are cleansed. And thank you for giving us a life >> [snorts] >> that is worthy of your name. Heavenly Father, today we speak your

04:27 blessing on the elements of the communion. As we eat and drink of it, may your life flow in us. >> [snorts] >> Thank you that this month of December is the month of Christ our Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Let's eat of his holy body and drink of his precious blood together. >> [snorts] >> Lord Jesus, we thank you that we belong to you. Thank you that even though we may have memories of our shame and sin, you have forgiven us in total completion. Thank you for the power of your forgiveness. Thank you that you have given us your Holy Spirit. May your Holy Spirit and his power increase in our lives, and may this

05:30 month be specially blessed. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. >> [snorts] >> Thank you, ushers. As they are passing the bags, you may want to drop the used cups. I want to take a minute to appreciate the decoration team. You've made the church look so fantastic. One of >> [applause] >> And I see photo booths on both the sides for those who want to take start taking Christmas pictures. They've provided some photo booths. You know, every month I keep reminding ourselves that we shouldn't forget to pray every day for people in our family, in our friend circle, who don't know about Christ our Lord, that one day they will come and worship God with you in the church. You should keep praying for that. God will give you a valid opportunity to invite [snorts] them. A valid opportunity means where they'll respect your words, and your invitation will not be turned down. So, keep praying, God, you provide that valid opportunity. Help me to sense

06:34 that opportunity where I can invite [snorts] my family, my friends, and God will provide you that opportunity. But don't forget to pray for people who are your friends, your family, but don't worship God with you. Pray for them. And all of you who've come to this church for the first time, if you're here today for the first time, want to thank you for coming. God bless you and prosper you. >> [applause] >> And if you're not going to another Bible-based, spirit-filled church, then I would strongly [snorts] recommend that you make this your spiritual home and come every Sunday and grow in God's word. And uh you [snorts] will be blessed. Your pastor may have a cold, but the message is warm. I also want to uh I hope you all got the invite. Yeah, I see it on. Yeah. You got the Christmas and New Year invites. So, Christmas we are going to celebrate the King of Kings in Palace Grounds. Uh and uh New Year also in gate number one or two, whatever it's called,

07:39 Tripura Vasini Gate. So, kind of know the place. So, do come. And uh this Saturday, the teens church is happening at 5:30 p.m. Teenagers, you know your location, right? And [snorts] Vacation Bible School is happening on 20th December. Please register on the church website. This is for the kids church. If you you are a parent with your kid uh in the kids church, then please register so your kids can participate on the VBS program happening on 20th December. This month uh we are calling it the month of Christ our Lord. Thank you. We are calling it the month of Christ our Lord, and uh we're going to learn different facets of Christ our Lord. In fact, when you look when you look at the Holy Bible, the four gospels called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are four facets of Christ our Lord. You know, Matthew represents Christ more as

08:42 the king, and uh Mark represents him more as a savior, someone who suffered for us. Uh Luke [snorts] shows the Lord as the perfect man. In fact, Daniel's prophecy called Jesus the Son of Man. And [snorts] so, Luke uh sort of exemplifies, you know, more overtly that Christ is the perfect uh man, Son of Man. And then, in the Gospel of John, uh [snorts] the beloved apostle shows Jesus as the real, true Son of God. So, uh I I really want to look at this month at the mystery of the king, the history of the suffering savior, the victory of the perfect man, and the Son of God is the glorious one that we worship. And as we go through that, uh really what I'm hoping is that as we learn about Christ, that our own lives will be touched and changed.

09:45 Amen. If you remember in school days, on a cold day, all were quiet. School days, you remember? Even in college, when it's a cold day, people are generally more quiet. I feel like that today. So nice to see the fog now in the morning. For those of you who noticed, there was fog in the morning. >> [laughter] >> To see the whole place uh you know, with so much cold and fog, and I come to church and I see a standing crowd inside, outside, above balcony, under balcony. I have one to tell you, cold or hot, the house of God is filled with people who want to worship the Lord. Go ahead, give God a big hand. Absolutely. The mystery of the king is not something that I derived for myself as some cliché point for preaching, but the mystery of Jesus is a repeated theme in the Holy Bible. There is something mysterious

10:48 about Christ that people sometimes don't get to see. What's the meaning of the word mystery? Mystery means something which is hidden and can be seen only when revealed. That's the [clears throat] simple meaning of the word mystery. But [snorts] in a religious context, as in the Bible context, it also means it can't be seen by all. It can be seen only by those that are chosen to see it. And so mystery has got different levels of application. Something [snorts] that I could not see yesterday, I may be able to see today because it was revealed to me. So, sometimes the scripture is mysterious in that something we didn't understand 5 years ago, today we suddenly understood something new. And you suddenly see its power. And Christ our Lord, the king, there is a mystery about him. When you think of a king, what are the usual thoughts that come to our mind? Think of a king, what are the usual thoughts that come to our mind?

11:51 Palace, crown, authority, throne. The guy won't sit on a normal chair, right? I mean, he sits on a throne. What else do you think when you think of a king? Power, scepter, You all are very holy people. Wives. >> [laughter] >> A whole harem of wives. You're very holy people. Sorry for saying something so real and sinful. You all are feeling so cold you can't even laugh out loud, huh? >> [laughter] >> A king, these are the thoughts that come to our mind. A king, too much of security. It's crazy, right? People come to power saying that we are going to protect you, and the only thing they do is add more police to protect themselves, correct? Yeah, [snorts] it's funny. We live in a funny world. But this started with kingdoms. Now, this is exactly why the Lord Jesus

12:53 is different. He is the king, but the mystery is he has none of these things. >> [applause] >> He is the exact opposite, the anticlimax, no armies, no thrones, no palace. I mean, he he doesn't give orders, he doesn't command loyalty, he doesn't rule from a distance. I wrote down all things about a king, and I found nothing matches the Lord Jesus. And I realized that's because the Lord Jesus is not a king by the definition of kingdoms of the earth. He's a king by the definition of what he created for himself. Hallelujah. Oh, go ahead, give your king a mighty hand of praise. >> [applause] >> How does How does a king conquer a place? Fighting, war? How did Jesus conquer? Love. He took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples.

13:56 >> [applause] >> I mean, the contrast is fabulous, and that's why the Bible calls him a mystery. He conquered. He conquered. In fact, he put such a mark on human history that history is divided as the world before Jesus and the world after Jesus. Even a fellow who doesn't believe in God has to put his date of birth based on reference to when Jesus was born. Even [snorts] fellows who release videos saying Jesus never existed, their video date is titled based on his existence. The mystery. The mystery. The mystery. And and he gives a mysterious invitation. It's [laughter] so funny. He gives such a mysterious invitation. Read with me, Matthew's Gospel chapter 11 and verse 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find

15:00 Verse 30, for my yoke is easy. Yoke is a symbol of work. Yoke is a symbol of submission. Yoke simply means you have a owner. You have a master, and you carry his weight. Yokes control life. It burdens you, it exploits your strength and your talent and your energy. A lot of times, yokes. Now, for easier understanding, if you go to village side or farm side, you'll [snorts] see you'll see cow, buffalo, ox, donkeys. These are beasts of burden, and they put a yoke on the shoulder, a wooden stuff, a V-shaped, U-shaped stuff, and then attach it to a farming tool, and the farmer just walks with the animal, and the animal is actually moving the tool. Or it's connected to a cart, whether you call it a horse cart or bullock cart or

16:02 whatever, it's connected to a vehicle with two wheels, and when the vehicle has to move, the cow has to move or the ox has to move. In other words, this animal is carrying the weight of others. It can't go where it wants. Somebody else is using its potential. That's called a yoke. When there is a yoke on you, you are no longer living for yourself. You're living to fulfill somebody else's burden. And many of you feel that oh, I have freedom. You have no freedom, there's a yoke on you. It could be the yoke of a credit card. You basically want to pay off everything. Some people are very proud that they have a gold credit card. Basically a golden yoke. It doesn't matter how colorful the yoke is, it's a yoke, baby. It's a burden, and that's the reality. It's about the rising cost, the

17:06 challenges. I see parents who don't want to have children. And I asked why, they said, "One max, pastor. We can't afford the education. We can't afford the facilities." Yoke is a reality. >> [clears throat] >> I know young people who said, "I don't want to marry, pastor. I don't think I have the money for that." Yoke is a reality. I sit here, pastoral team, we sit, we meet people, we pray with people. Yokes are reality. Outside, you know, cream on the face and a plastic smile, is very different from the yoke on the inside. A cow may be smiling, but there may be a yoke on the shoulder. Anxieties are yokes. Sometimes anxieties come simply because of comparison. Somebody was telling me the other day, said, "Pastor, I got this bike, but I'm feeling terrible." And I asked, "Why?" They asked me to pray for the motorbike, new one. And thankfully they told me after prayer. I asked, "Why?" He said, "No, because I

18:08 finished the I finished formalities in the showroom, took the bike out, and one bike just went past me so fast, pastor. And he said, "In the next signal I caught up with that bike, and it was a Kawasaki, pastor, Ninja. I mean, whatever it was, it was so huge. I felt I'm on a bicycle." And he said, "Pastor, pray my next bike should be that." I said, "Why don't you look up? There's an eagle flying above." I mean, at what stage are you going to stop? >> [laughter] >> If you're going to ridicule what you have just because you see a yoke, I tell you, my friend, don't put yoke on yourself. Sometimes we put yoke on ourself. Sometimes others put yoke on us. Sometimes they do it by force, sometimes they do it through manipulation. Social expectations, tensions, these are all yokes that come on us. Family and cultural traditions, these are yokes that come on us. Unwanted burdens. Because of unspoken expectations, cousin got married like that.

19:12 Another cousin got special job there, now full expectation is on me, pastor. I tell you, it is an unwanted yoke. Today, we are going to have a yoke burning ceremony. Want to destroy every yoke in Jesus' name. >> [applause] >> Some people carry the inherited yokes. It was passed on from generation to generation. You're going to break those yokes in Jesus' name. Many people have inner bondage of shame and addictions, guilt from past mistakes. No one knows about it. >> [snorts] >> No one knows. I was praying with a family the other day, and this young man tells pastor my wife doesn't know nobody knows. I feel terrible I have I'm a pervert. I have a very wrong sinful life but no one knows. Everybody thinks I'm holy. And uh the worst part is I found out that my father was also like that. But my mother never knew it. And I feel this is

20:14 something that is not leaving my life. Can you pray for me? I told him, you know what? When you have the boldness to come and speak this the cross is always ready to deliver you. To bring [applause] you freedom. Hallelujah. Sometimes it's it's that inner bondage of habits which are so compulsive. 6 months I didn't drink. I didn't touch alcohol. But then one day suddenly I don't know what happens. 4 months I never smoked. I don't know what suddenly happens. I'm a Pentecostal. 3 months I didn't gossip. I thought I was delivered. But I don't know what happened. Different people have different yolks controlling their life. But the power of the Holy Spirit breaks every yoke. And And where was the Lord Jesus speaking? He was speaking in a place called Capernaum and Bethsaida. These are the most legalistic places. Legalistic means God gave one rule, they interpreted into 200 rules.

21:19 God only told one word. God said keep Sabbath day holy, take rest, remember my good things for you, take that day to take rest and you take time to worship. These fellows made some 700 rules on that. You cannot walk fast, you have to walk slow, get up slow, sit slow. You can't walk more than one furlong. If you have to walk more than one furlong, you have to walk one furlong, sit there, wait there for some time, then then one new denomination on how much time you can wait between the two furlongs. So, you know, this are called legalisms legalisms. Legalisms. These are all man-made rules. These are all That's the kind of community where the Lord Jesus is speaking. Please don't think that the Lord Jesus came and was a bed of roses. His own half brothers and sisters did not believe him. Okay, they all had doubts on him. His community wanted to kill him. I mean, some of you feel bad, right? Your community speaking against you? Welcome to your king. >> [snorts]

22:20 >> He got murdered by his community. Think about it. And this is not some secret thing. This is in public. To the point where the Roman government got so mad at the Jewish people who were pushing that Jesus should be murdered that finally when he was crucified the Roman said, because of you fellows, Jewish fellows, only we had to crucify him. Therefore, they put an inscription on top of the cross, king of the Jews. But in some way it was so prophetic because he was the king. Even though the Jewish people rejected him because their expectation of a king is like what we all said, throne, palace, power, conquering. But the Lord Jesus came with a completely different mantle. His point was, this time I have come to establish a spiritual kingdom. I will come back for a political physical one. Amen. And I believe that will happen soon. >> [applause] >> Amen. Now, there's something that we must notice. When he's talking there, he's saying something very interesting. To

23:22 understand that I'm going to remind you of some other scriptures first. You remember the Lord Jesus said, take your cross and follow me? Did the Lord Jesus say, confess your sins? Then you'll be forgiven? Did the Lord Jesus say, those who have sinned against you, forgive them? Everywhere he made it clear, you you you. Look at that verse one more time. Matthew's gospel chapter 11 and verse 29. Take He's not talking about your yoke. Take my yoke. Next verse. My yoke. He's saying, guys, I've got a yoke. Take my yoke. What's his point? His point is I'm already under a yoke. I'm under the yoke of doing the Father's will. Come.

24:24 Put your head under my yoke. I'll bear your weight. I'll pull it for you. Put your head under my shoulder. >> [applause] >> Is somebody learning something here? He's not talking about your yoke. He's saying, let's do partnership. I'll be the big brother. You be the smaller one. And I'll pull your life for you. I'll pull your life. >> [applause] >> I'll take it forward. Come on, give him a mighty hand. Take my yoke upon you. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. In other words, you cannot take Jesus yoke on you and keep a distance with Jesus. If you want to have Jesus yoke on you, you got to be closer to Jesus. Amen. But the good thing is when Christ yoke comes on you, every other yoke gets removed. No two farmers can put two yolks on one cow or one ox or one burden of beast. Why? A one beast of burden. Why? Because

25:30 no two can claim one. The Bible is saying, God is saying, take my yoke upon you. And what is God yoke that Christ gives? He says, it's easy, it's light. Now, specifically the Lord was talking to the people who were burdened with the laws of Moses, with the laws of Israel. And he was saying, come to me. My law is very simple. Believe and have eternal life. You don't have to go through so many religious processes starting with circumcision which you never even knew when you were born. And [snorts] all the way till your death there are so many things you have to do. Leave it. Take my yoke upon you. It's easy and it's light. Hallelujah. But on a deeper level he was saying so much more. He was saying, take my yoke because I bring freedom. I bring liberty. Learn from my victories and from my gentleness. Know my heart. Understand my humility. My humility is not poverty. My humility is not failure. Many people think to be humble means you

26:33 have to be a failure. Oh, he's a humble man, which means he's failed. No. Humility is not failure. Humility means with all your success, you're ready to serve the purpose of God. That's humility. Are you following something? Yes. Don't See, a wrong definition will lead you to a wrong prescription. The diagnosis always has to be right. The word humility in the Bible is not the lack of opportunities. It's not the lack of success. It's not the lack of finances. That's not humility. Humility is to have everything and be willing to serve others with joy, with gladness, without the arrogance and pride that says, I'm greater than you, I cannot serve you. That's the problem. And God says, I hate the proud people. Your success is God's desire. But God says, get your success with my yoke on you. Because if you become

27:36 successful with another yoke, even your success is for their benefit. But if you put my yoke on you, your success is for your eternal life and into your blessings. And therefore, take my yoke on you. The mystery of the invitation is here. Has any king ever told you, come share my yoke, take my burden? I [snorts] am ruling all alone, come rule with me. No king will say that. Everybody will say, vote for me, I'll rule for you. >> [snorts] >> But Christ says, come, let's rule together. Let's do your life together. Don't do it alone. My ways are not your ways. My plans are not your plans. As heavens are above the earth, so are my ways above your ways and my plans above. Somebody shout a hallelujah. His His methods are mysterious. They are definitely mysterious. God does not call two people alike. Sometimes he does, but most often he doesn't. Moses he called in a burning

28:38 bush. There was a burning bush. And the thing about the bush was, with all the fire on the bush, it didn't turn to ashes. What's the one thing fire does? It turns everything to ashes. If there is a fire in the house, fridge will disappear, car will disappear, bed will disappear. Nobody put fire to a house so that there is a new fridge inside. No. Fire will not create anything. It will only destroy everything. So, when Moses was looking, the fire was mighty on the bush. But the more the fire, the greener the leaves. And he said, man, this is not what my physics teacher taught me. In Pharaoh's Egypt, I have to see what this is. And he went closer and God said, come, I was waiting for you to come close. Many times God will speak only when you come close. Don't stand far away and say God called. First you come close. And then he will speak to you. But when it came to Samuel in the midnight hour, God spoke to him. Samuel.

29:42 Samuel. A soft whisper. He thought it was his uncle. not relative uncle, but uh uncle Eli, high priest. He ran and knocked on the door. Uncle, why you call me? Hey, go sleep. I didn't call you. Having hallucination in the night. Sorry, again God. Samuel. This time uncle called. He ran and went. Was God playing hide-and-seek? No, God was calling the guy. God was trying to tell him, "Son, learn that when I speak, it will look normal and casual." Many times I will not roll the sky and speak through the clouds. I'll speak gently. It'll sound like Pastor Johnson. >> [applause] >> DON'T TAKE IT CASUAL. IT'S MY WORD, SON. It's my word, daughter. God sometimes speaks normal. God speaks through different expressions. That's why the scripture is

30:44 saying, "His methods are mysterious." And one of his methods is he will never destroy anybody. He'll never destroy Earthly kingdoms have got a problem. They don't like weak people. They only like strong people. Because they believe in the survival of the fittest. Hitler is a classic example. Everybody knows about the Holocaust. People talk about how he murdered over 5 million, 6 million Jews and Catholics. And but do you know he also started murdering in Germany the old and the sick. He started saying they are not good for the Aryan race. And he said, "If they are old people, even if they are Germans, kill them." And he started killing the old people and the sick. Why? It's the mentality of the arrogant dictator kings. We don't want weak people. We we see in the world even today. They still operate on the same logic. They replace the weak. Why is the retirement age 60? Chronology. People become weak, so we don't want them. The entire world works

31:48 on that logic. Nobody wants weak. Nobody wants average. They celebrate the strong. Uh there's a man called uh Gurugunda in uh Gurugunda in Hebbal flyover. You must have met him. At least heard about him. No. Nobody knows him because he's a beggar. But you heard about Elon Musk? He's your uncle, huh? He doesn't have to be anybody to you, but you will have heard of him because he's successful. The world appreciates success. Nobody knows Gurugunda. He's faithfully there from 20 years. But everyone knows rich people. My The world is like that. There is no space for news for those who are weak. The world is only about the strong and the mighty. And that's what they like. And and many times they snuff out the people that are broken, the people that are weak. They just shut them down. And they believe they deserve it.

32:51 Why? Must be their past birth karma. They've got million ways to justify their evil. Hmm. But Jesus, the method of his is so mysterious. Look at Isaiah chapter 42 and verse three. A bruised reed he will not break. And a faintly burning wick he will not quench. He will faithfully That's his nature. A bruised reed means something that is broken. He will not destroy it and throw it away. A candle which is going to be put off because its wick is not good. It's its wax is not good. It's going to get snuffed out. He will not throw it away like the world. But he will strengthen that which is broken. He will inflame that which is dying out. Because that's how this king works. His methods are very mysterious. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. Many of us are sitting here

33:54 because he did not destroy you. You came broken. You came losing your vision. You came losing your fire. But he said, "Come to me and I'll build you again. I'll structure you again. I'll raise you up again." Go ahead, give him a mighty hand. I tell you that's the Christ WE SERVE. HALLELUJAH. HALLELUJAH. One of the beautiful things in the Old Testament is what you find in the life of Jeremiah the prophet in chapter 18 of how the potter makes the pot a better pot after it got ruined. Didn't throw the clay away. He made it a better pot. Many are bruised by past mistakes, pressures, loneliness, failure. Four things that I found in the Bible which bruise people, which uh snuffs out their vision. Many people, you know, they you started the year with so much gusto and excitement. And you find that their vision is going down. The fire inside is going down. Now

34:57 they're kicking the dust and walking without a spring in their step. There is no vision in their heart. Why? They become weaker. It happens for many reasons. One is unfulfilled dreams and setbacks, repeated disappointments, so many wrong turns in life, so many setbacks. And and you get shaped by those failures. And you begin to wonder, "Should I even dream big and hurt myself again?" Many have come under career pressure. They come under the pressure of satisfying people that are never going to be happy with your life. And you kind of feel stagnation. And people beside you are moving ahead. And you feel lost out in the race. And you are sort of now just trying to survive somehow. The pressures are too much. Comparisons with others. And and sometimes betrayal is so painful. When relationships become manipulative, people lose the fire in their life. When friends turn into foes. And and you really thought they would help you out

36:00 because you helped them out. You really thought someone would stand up for you because you've done so for the others. But behind your back, they just pulled you down. And no one cared. And those are things that take away your strength. Emotional wounds sometimes are more terrible than physical ones. Inner exhaustion. You feeling burnt out because all those affirmations you were hoping for, nothing came to you. People look at you as if if at all you succeeded, that was good luck. You're not worth it. People go through these things. And and you feel snuffed out. You feel your fire is going off. And and for a lot of people it's fear. Some for some it is uncontrollable anger. For others, it's envy that they are not able to stop. For some others, they're just angry. They don't even know at whom they are angry. And they don't know for what they are angry. They're just angry. For some it's bad habits. They can't change their habits. For some it's shameful experiences that they went through. And and they're just not able to overcome those shameful experiences

37:02 or mistakes. I want to tell you, when you feel snuffed out, when you feel you're a candle in the wind, and something is trying to blow you off, don't run away from God. Run to God. Because a bruised reed he will never break. And a smoking flax he will never put off. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You know, some birthdays you go, it's a joke. Because to cut the cake they have to blow the candle. And instead of a regular candle, they put what they call miracle candle. I feel it's a joke. That word miracle candle is a joke. Because that miracle candle, you blow it off. When they take the knife to cut, again it'll come back on. I'm sure all of you know what I'm saying. I don't know what kind of candle that is, but it it can never be put off. Many people's life is like that. You know, okay, it's off. Off now, let me cut. No, it'll come on. Okay, then you burn properly. No, it'll go off. You know, >> [laughter] >> Some are not laughing because you're

38:04 thinking I'm talking of you. No, I'm talking of candle. Candle. Many Many times our life is like a miracle candle. Miracle in the negative sense. Not even a good miracle. But Christ is saying, "When you come to me, I make sure nobody puts you off. I'll help you burn bright. >> [applause] >> You are a reed that will not be broken. But run to Jesus. Somebody shout, "Run to Jesus." Run to him in prayer. Run to him in fasting. Run to him in faith. Run to him in expectations. Run to him to learn how to handle things. Run to him, not away from him. Run to him because he will never His ways are mysterious. He's not like the normal kings that will Oh, this fellow's use is over. Throw him off. No. Jesus got no wastepaper baskets in his office. He never throws anything. He fixes everything. >> [applause] >> Hallelujah. And this mystery of Christ our Lord, the

39:08 king, is revealed when you study Colossians chapter 1. Let's read verse number 27. To them God chose to make known how great among Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Aha. There is a hope you have. There's a hope you must have. It's not the hope of dying poor. It's not of the hope of dying sick. One of the reasons many people get sick is because they expect to get sick. I'm getting old. Maybe I'm going to be sick now. Many people hope all are losing job. Maybe I'm next. People hope. God is saying you should hope but hope for glory. Hope for glory. Why? Because of who is in you. Now this is another mystery. Always you

40:12 look for a king outside. But this king says I live inside you. I don't live in a palace. I live inside you. >> [applause] >> I work from inside you. And this is why Jewish people they missed Jesus as their king and their lord. In fact, Jewish people knew Jesus was going to be born. Why? Remember when the wise men came looking for Jesus, they saw the star. >> [cough] >> They start Sorry. They started the journey from the east which could have been China all the way from Japan. They I don't know how many of them must have been a few hundreds wise men. Wise men [snorts] still look for Jesus. The foolish ones who don't. >> [snorts] >> The wise men started their journey and they they started their journey when Jesus was born. They're looking for Jesus. Why? A star appeared in the sky. And and they were wise. Why? Because they didn't start worshipping the star. They knew that someone who created it is what it indicates.

41:17 And they came all the way to Israel and they thought Correct. Jesus must be in Jerusalem. Even wise people make mistakes. Why? Jerusalem is the place of worship. They thought this king surely in Jerusalem. They went to Jerusalem. The Herod Herod Herod the king of the Roman Empire was there. They told Herod got to know wise men from the east have come. The guy was enamored. He said wise men, bring on. So they all got into the palace. Oh king, we've come to see the real king. Oh, there's a real one? Mhm. He's a Jewish fellow. Now Herod's political gimmick started. This fight for chair is not new. It was there from the day one. Many of you are thinking oh oh oh, where will there be political stability? Why it's like this was like this from time immemorial. >> [sighs]

42:19 >> So he thought, let me find out who the child is and I'll kill the child. Herod thought like that. Wise men said we want to see the king. So Herod said according to our birth registers and all that, king is not born. Even a prince is not born. Then the Herod called for Jewish scholars and asked the Jewish scholars, is there a baby going to be born as the king? They said yes. Where? Bethlehem, 8 km from Jerusalem. Sometimes wise people make mistakes close by. They come to Jesus. Only at baptism they are confusion. Or or going to church every Sunday confusion. They come nearby and they make mistakes. >> [laughter] >> Yeah yeah yeah. I know. We today >> [applause] >> Today we are dealing with very important things because you are wise but you make mistakes. >> [laughter] >> They they asked Herod,

43:22 where is the king? Herod asked the Jewish leaders. Jewish leaders said close by. Go straight, take left, another right, one hill, turn another right around, there Messiah will be born. You Jewish fellows, if you know so much, why don't you go? No. Our king has to be born like a king. You know he's the king. You are advising wise men. Then why don't you go? I met somebody few months ago and they told me, pastor, more than eight people are coming to your church because of me. I asked, who are you? He said, I'm the one sending them. I said, oh. A true story. Now he's coming to our church. This happened few months back. I said, so what about you? He said, I don't go to church. Why? No, pastor. I said, that's why God brought you to me. From next Sunday you are coming to church. I convinced him. He started coming. I'm happy for that. Many times Jewish people spirit comes to us also. We guide others

44:25 how to lose weight. We guide others how to be well behaved. We guide others how not to have a family problem. BUT WE >> [applause] >> WOW, WHAT A PREACHING. SO Jewish people told the wise men where to go. Herod told those fellows, find out the baby, identify, take a biometric and come back. So [snorts] I can knock off that one. He didn't say that. He thought that. Wise men went. By [snorts] now Jesus is about 2 years of age because when the the Bible says the wise men entered the house and saw him with the mother. Jesus was born in a manger, not in a house. How come the wise men saw him in the house? Because by now the Lord is about 1 and 1/2 2 years of age and they gave him gifts and worshipped him though they saw him with the mother. I thank God for the present pope. What a

45:26 lovely statement he made the other day honoring Mother Mary and worshipping the Lord Jesus. It was so beautiful. And um they worshipped Jesus. Wise men still worship Jesus even though they see the entire family. They know who to worship. They worshipped Jesus. And that night God told them many times God will speak to you in a dream. Moses burning bush, Samuel voice to this wise men in a dream. God said, don't go back via Jerusalem because Herod is waiting there to identify and kill. Take another route. Sometimes God will change your route in life. God, everyone is going that way. Why only for me this way? You go the way God is telling you. He will show you great and mighty things. >> [applause] >> Amen. Your path may be different from others but your destiny is what God has planned for you. They that follow him are never put to shame. Hallelujah. Herod later understood that he was cheated and so he killed all the

46:29 babies who were 2 years and younger. But by the time God told Joseph, God stopped talking to Mary. God started talking to Joseph. God respects protocol. And he said to Joseph and that's because the fellow is obedient. Otherwise he would have spoken to Mary. God spoke to Joseph saying, take the child and the mother because God knows who is responsible for the family. Take both and go to Egypt because the guy is going to start drama here, political drama. He started killing all the children. You know what? This king is mysterious. He's put glory in your life. Jewish people rejected Jesus even though they knew Jesus. Wise men came and pointed out Jesus but they rejected him. Why? They wanted a political king. God is telling you, I rule through you. Don't confuse me with other kings of the earth. I rule through you. My power works through you. Don't run here and there for that meeting and that prophet. My glory is not outside you. My glory is

47:33 within you. Read that scripture one more time, please. Read that scripture one more time. Colossians chapter 1. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery which is the hope of Where is the glory? In you. In you. In you. In you. Inside you there is a glory. Reveal it in Jesus name. By following this king you reveal it. If you if you really look at the miracles the Lord Jesus did, Jesus our Lord never touched anybody and they suddenly became rich. Never happened. Never happened. I mean Jesus healed blind eyes. He healed deaf ears. He even raised the dead. Lord, make that poor fellow rich. There is no such miracle in the Bible. The Lord will only enable you and strengthen you where you have one more chance at life. But what you do with your life is your choice. That's the kind of king our Lord Jesus is. Hallelujah. And and the full mystery of this Christ, I don't have time. I

48:35 have to close. Matthew's gospel chapter 17, let's just read verse 1 and 2 and I'll close. And after 6 days, Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother and led them into a high mountain. Jesus used to go trekking by themselves. And he was ooh and his face and his clothes became For those who follow him, there will come moments where you see his kingdom and his power. And they saw him. And Peter and James and John, they thought when they saw his glory, they said, let's build a hut. I don't know why they said hut. They should have said palace because they saw the king in his glory. But anyway, hut came to his mind. Poor bad bad language, bad vocabulary. Let's build three huts, Peter is saying. We'll build. You guys stay here. Jesus in the glorified form, not simply. Remain in glorified form. We'll build

49:37 you a hut. Elijah and Moses two guys appear, Jesus transfigured. Peter says [snorts] three stay here. Father God spoke. Fellow, don't build hut, obey him. Obey my son. Many people want to get away by doing something for Jesus. God says don't want all that. You learn to obey what I say. Hallelujah. Many people want to get away by doing something for God. God says no. Take my yoke on you and come to me. Obey me. Come with me and I will change your life. Hallelujah. When the Father spoke, these three fellows fell down like dead. Peter, James, and John, they fell down like dead. Jesus touched them and raised them up. Jesus didn't take selfies with them, laughed at them, fallen fellows can't handle my Father's word, what disciples you are. He will never break a bruised reed. He will never put off a flax

50:42 that is not burning. He lifted them up, put them on their feet, and said, "Let's go. We've got a destiny to build." Close your eyes and say, "Father, this Christmas season, this mysterious king who raises up people, some fall down in the battle with the enemies, some fall down at the glory of God. Thank you that in both places you are there to lift us up. You're there to raise us up. Wherever you are seated or standing, would you like to talk to the Lord and say, "Lord, thank you for speaking to me today. Thank you that you are my king. Thank you that your yoke is what I want. Thank you that you are the one who will build my vision again. Thank you that your glorious presence is more than enough for me. I trust you today. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Revive me on the inside, oh God, with more of your Holy Spirit. Put more purpose and direction to the success you give me. Sometimes some of us so much of

51:46 financial success, so much of recognition, so much of appreciation. Oh, it's wonderful. And that is good. Ask the Lord, "Father, I dedicate my success to your glory. Help me to handle my success in wisdom. Help me to handle my victories in a way that will honor you, oh God. Hallelujah. We are quick when it comes to giving our failures to Jesus. Let's also give our success to the Lord and tell him, "God, here's my success. Whatever you help me to build, let it be for your glory. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. My family, my future, my work life, my business, my good health, [music] things that you've given me, Father, I want to give it for your glory." Heavenly Father, this beautiful day we want to thank you for the lovely month of December. We thank you that this is your month. Week after week, as the wise

52:49 men worshipped you, may our life become glorious in your hand. Thank you that you will guide us and lead us. Father, we pray that each one here will walk in your victory. In Jesus' mighty name we pray and the people said, "Amen." Shall we give the Lord a big hand of praise? >> [applause] >> Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. [singing] While shepherds kept their watching our silent [music] locks by night, [singing] behold throughout the heavens there [music] shone a holy light. Go [music] tell it on the mountain, over the hills [music] and everywhere. Go

53:56 The shepherds feared and trembled when low [music] above the earth rang out the [singing] angel chorus that [music] hailed our Savior's birth. >> [music] >> Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. >> [music] >> That Jesus Christ is born. Down in [singing] a lonely manger [music] our humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas [music] morn. >> [singing] >> Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and [music] everywhere. Go That Jesus Shall we all lift our hands and worship

54:59 [music] the king and tell him, "All hail King Jesus. >> [music] >> All hail Emmanuel. [singing] King of [music] kings, Lord of lords, [singing] bright morning star. [music] >> [singing] >> Every [music] day you give [singing] me bread, I'll sing your praises. >> [singing] >> And I'll reign [singing] with [music] you throughout eternity." [singing] Please [music] put your hands down. Let's sing it one more time. All hail King Jesus. All hail [music] King Jesus. >> [singing]

56:03 >> All hail Emmanuel. [music] King of kings, [music and singing] Lord of lords, the bright [music] morning star. >> [singing] >> Every day [singing] you give me bread, I'll sing your praises. Yes, [music] Lord Jesus. And I'll reign [singing] with you throughout eternity. Go ahead, give the Lord a mighty hand. Take a few minutes to praise [music] him with everything within you. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, open your mouth. Worship the King of kings. Every yoke of BONDAGE BE BROKEN IN THE NAME OF JESUS. [music]

57:11 The yoke destroying, burden removing anointing [music] of the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you. [music] Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. Oh, the soon and coming king, we worship you. Your kingdom [music] come. Your will be done in every life. Let your church be blessed. Let them grow. Let them increase. [music] Let your favor be abundant. Somebody lift your voice and praise him with everything within you. >> [music] >> Thank you, Jesus. Heavenly Father, we just want to say thank you for speaking into our hearts, into our lives today through your word. Lord, this morning we acknowledge you as the King of kings and the Lord of lords over our lives. Father, thank you, Lord, you will give us the divine grace and the strength, oh Lord, to carry knowing that we are partnering with you. Thank you so much for the privilege that you have given us, oh God, to be called as your sons and your daughters, and and

58:14 the amazing hope that you have given us that that you are in us, that Christ in you in us is a hope of glory. We bless your precious holy name. Dear Lord, at this time we pray for those who are here for the very first time, those who are watching us online today. >> [music] >> Father, we pray that this Christmas season will bring your divine purpose and meaning into them. We bless them in your holy name. Father, we pray for those who are traveling this week. May your divine grace and your journey mercies go with them. >> [music] >> With whatever purpose that they're heading for, we pray for your favor to be upon them, your protection to be upon them. Dear Lord, we pray for those who are celebrating their birthdays and marriage anniversaries this week. Thank you so much for adding another year into their lives. May the years ahead be prosperous and blessed by you. We also pray for the tithes and the offering that people have given to you with a sincere heart, that you would bless them, that they will always have abundance. Father, we pray that this week will be a blessed week unto each one of us. May you be praised and lifted up in our lives. >> [music] >> We give you all the glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus' most holy name we pray. Amen. Now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of our heavenly

59:17 Father, >> [music] >> and the sweet abiding presence of the Holy Spirit rest in be with us from now and forevermore. Amen. Amen. God bless you all once again. We want to take this time to welcome all of you who are here for the very first Come on, church, give them a very warm welcome. >> [applause] >> Those who are watching us online today. Those who are here, we would love to meet you in our guest lounge that is outside. And if you need prayers, our pastors are here in the front. And please collect your calendars that is outside. God bless you and have a blessed week. >> [music]