Lead me to the cross

Our faith is not based on feelings, not based on fairy tales, but based on Truth of God.

If faith is based n feelings, then sunday feeling will not be there on monday morning with all the stress.
If faith is based on fairy tales, then new tales will take over the old tales.
But the Faith that is based on Truth will help each one of us in working out our salvation and we will endure till the end.

1 Corinthians 15 : 1-5

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

We are saved if we hold fast that Word which was reached to us.
Basics:

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
He was buried
He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.


The essence of Christian life is at the Cross.

When we go through stress, anxiety, confused, what we need to look is at the Cross.

It is at the cross, every question is answered.
It is at the cross, every storm quiets down.
It is at the cross where lonely found their true family.
It is at the cross every pain got healed.

Let us look what hapenned on the cross.
Matthew 27:27
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.


I want all of us to understand the depth of the Cross.
There was a preperation for the Cross.
Mocking..
Spat on the Face of Son of God.
Stripped Him
And V50 says He yielded up His Spirit.
I want all of us as we fast and pray to meditate on the cross.
Worship is never completed without meditation on what was done on the cross.
There should never be a moment in our lives where we take the work on the cross lightly.

For my sin, for your sin - to redeem us this precious Act of God on the Cross.

Lead me to the Cross where your love poured out.

Lead me to the cross where your love poured out.
Jesus died on the Cross.
Luke 9:23 says - if you want to be my disciple, deny yourself and take up your cross.

Quiet my soul.

When we goto God, first thing we should ask God is to quieten our soul.
The Word of God says - Be still and know that He is the Lord.
We dont know when God when we are in hurry, when we are busy, when have to finish things quickly or emotionally charged.
We know God when our soul is quietened.
When emotions calm down.
Sometimes when emotions are running high we would say or do things in haste and when we quiet down we look back and think, i should have done things when i had quietened a bit.

Even in a marriage, you will know your spouse , not at the time of wedding or before wedding, that time it is all excitement about marriage , but when everything quiets down then you start living together then you will know truly what the other person is.

Quiet down in presence of God.
In Presence of God , enjoy the presence of God,
God is on the throne, dont talk too much. Meditate on His goodness. Meditate on the cross.

In our prayers, don't just blabber, but ask God quiet my soul.
My soul is going through too many questions, anxieties.
Quiet me Lord.

Then look at the wonderful cross where the blood was spilled.


But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
John 19:34 NKJV

The blood and water came out.

This blood came because of my sin.
My shame.
All because of me.

Look at the cross. Look at the blood and water. Medically , when a person go through so much of flogging and loss of blood, all the blood and fluids in the body gather at one place.
Spiritually
Blood - redemption
Water - life imparting.

My glory is in the cross.

Everything I once held dear I count it as loss.

What is the dearest thing we hold dear today in our lives.
For some - their identity in society.
For some it might be - your beauty.
For some it might be - their money.

What is the richest gain. I count it as loss.

For Paul, he counted all as rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ.
I don't want to know anything in you except Christ.

Philippians 3:8 says
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 



Lead me to the cross. Bring me to my knees
When we come to the cross, the cross teaches us Humility.

- Humble.
Whoever boasts, let him boast in Christ.

Whatever we hold dear to our lives, we try to boast about it.
For example, if our children does very well in studies, and we hold the thought my children are doing very well better than others. You hold that dear, then you start boasting without knowing saying wherever you go , whomever we meet, we will start saying my children does well in the whole school than everybody else.

Galatians 6:14

 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

Rid me of myself -
At the cross, every selfishness should go.

Lord Jesus on the cross. He was full of concern for people.

Father please forgive them.
To thief, you will be in paradise with me.
To John, take care of mother.

Let us ask God to get Rid of ourself .

We can look at it others and say am not like other person.

Pharisee prayed and said am not like other person.

9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
I belong to you.
If we find anything of ourselves in us, then we still belong to ourselves, but He sealed us with His Holy Spirit.

Judgement
John 8:15

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
Whoever boats, let him boast in Christ.

Nothing to boast.

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Even priesthood is by calling.
No man takes this honor to Himself
There is nothing for man to boast, but only glory in God.

And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:4 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.5.4.NKJV

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Survey the wondrous cross.

1.                                      Survey the wondrous cross.

When I survey the wondrous cross

1. On which the Prince of glory died,
   My richest gain I count but loss,
   And pour contempt on all my pride.

1 John 2:16

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

Galatians 6:14

 14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

John 8:15

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Luke 23:34

 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

1. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
   That were a present far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,
   Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Luke 10:27

27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’[h] and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”

Eye

One of the main problem why there is darkness in people lives is because of their eyes.

Your eyes determine the darkness that you have in your lives.

Eye - 

Eye is the lamp of the body.

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22‭-‬23 NKJV

God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all.

For a room, if the lamp gives light to the whole room, 

then eye is actually the lamp of the body.

What you see and how you see matters a lot for your spiritual life.

just like we say words casually, we also see things very casually.

There are different ways you can look at.

you can have a haughty look or proud look on others

you can have a jealous look at the prosperity of others.

you can have a pity look on yourself

how you get light through eye.

When you think about the eye you think about one of the marvels of the human body. The human eye is a very complicated organ, a perfect and interrelated system of about 40 individual subsystems. For example, the retina has approximately 137 million special cells that respond to light and send messages to the brain. About 130 million of these cells look like rods and handle the black and white vision. The other 7 million are cone shaped and allow us to see in color.

If the tongue can set a whole forest on fire,

the eye can actually give light to whole body or can give complete darkness.

The first time eye was mentioned in bible is 

Genesis 3: 4-6

serpent said  when you eat the fruit your eyes will be opened.

what does that mean are Adam and eve blind, no,

its not physical eyes. 

It is how and what you see the things.

Till then Ignorance ruled their lives.

Adam and Eve were innocent of sin. They don't know what sin means.

That is how God designed us to be innocent of sin.

And there was complete light in their bodies. There was so much light in 

that they can fellowship with God.

they can fellowship with each other

they have dominion over all that is created.

In Verse 6, the moment woman saw -  that was a critical moment in history.

It about your seeing - this decides whether she is going to get light or darkness in her life and as a result for all humanity.

What she saw that -- this is her vision

your vision is what you understand when you look at something.

Eves vision :

this tree was for good food.

tree was pleasant to the eyes.

tree can make wise. so she took of its fruit and ate and gave to husband.

So 2 are physical aspects - good food, pleasant to eyes.

and wise is spiritual aspect.

but the wisdom of the world is foolishness in Gods sight. it is not in line with Gods commandment.

So the vision that Eve received when she saw gave her darkness. and how great was that darkness.

Heard - Saw- Spoke.

When it says the eye is good-

The goodness of eye can depend on what your eye sees.

It means 

what you see in God

what you see in around.

what you see in yourself.

How do you see God?

There are many believers who see God as 

Need based God.

some look God as who fulfills their needs.

someone as ATM card.

whenever there is need, they will use the card. otherwise just stays in pocket.

For some God is just theoretical. 

Although with physical eye you don't see , but what is your vision of God.

what do you seek Him.

Psalm 27:8 says

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

His face means the Hebrew translation for the face is presence.

Seek His face all the time. when you seek Him all the time, 

God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all.

and when we start seeking Gods face, our vision will receive the absolute Light.

Vision of Isaiah 6.1

I saw the Lord, high and exalted.

See that the Lord is the most exalted one in our lives and that gives tremendous light. see that there is nothing else exalted above God.

Seated on the throne:  Have the vision that Lord Jesus is seated on the throne.
He is victorious God. Victory belongs to Him.

God is Holy.
Have the vision that God is Holy. and we should be holy. The vision of holiness of God gives light to us.

Today if there is any darkness in our lives, seek His Face. see that God is exalted above everything else in your lives. darkness will run away.


you buying, your spending, your giving, your everything - see that God  is exalted above everything.
Today what we need is vision of Isaiah , that we should see God is high and exalted. 

What you see around.

Judgement

 Matthew 7:3‭-‬5 NKJV

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

   Correct yourself first.

        1. We always try to see how others eyes are.

        2. Whether others eyes are looking at me

Never crave for others attention, whether it is in Church and work place or friends or families.

You should always look for attention of God. whether God is looking at me.

Can we change this vision.

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What you see matters.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Joseph ,

When everybody else was seeing a beautiful ,lustful woman, Joseph was seeing a master's wife who belongs to his master.

When everybody else might be looking as beautiful woman, he looked at her as
Masters wife who should be respected.
if we are pure, then what we see will be pure.
if our thoughts are defiled and unbelieving then nothing is pure,
you complain about everybody, you lust after the things, your mind and conscience are defiled.

8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.



For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.

Matthew 5:27‭-‬29 NKJV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old,  ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Psalmist says Refrain from seeing profane things

When you look at the others, make a covenant with your eyes.

Job makes a covenant with his eyes.

Job 31:1 NKJV

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

what you see in yourself.

Whether you are a wealthy man , or a poor man.

There it's one thing common.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
Proverbs 29:13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.29.13.NKJV

But how you see yourself matters.

The rich is wise in his own eyes.

Don't think you are somebody when you are nobody.
Galatians 6:3‭-‬5 NKJV
For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.


Just because God has placed you in some position, don't think you become some body. Have the humility.
Sons of korah became proud .

Numbers 16
Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord , and to stand before the congregation to serve them;
Numbers 16:9 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/num.16.9.NKJV

Always look at your lives watch out.


for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:24‭-‬25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.1.24-25.NKJV


Your looking at yourself should be constant.

How you should look at yourself
Law of liberty.

Many people are bound by the law of bondage that brings fear.

But the Bible says we should look into our lives at the standard of law of liberty,
Law of the Spirit of life.

There are 2 types of hearers
The hearer who remembers what he hears and does it.

The other is hearer who forgets. Many come Sunday excited hear , but forgets.

And because they don't remember they don't see into their lives.
That is why it says continue in it.

Psalm 137

When you are away in some place,  Have you ever felt, oh i miss my Church.
i miss worshiping God together with the Church.
i miss sharing with the brothers and sisters.


Israelites were taken captive by Chaldeans. and now they are sitting at the rivers and crying

Jerusalem walls were broken, the city was destroyed.

their captors were asking "sing songs of the Zion"

you don't sing the songs of the Church for entertaining other people or for fun.
you don't speak the Word of God for fun.

The songs of Zion is to praise and worship God. the songs of Zion is to build and fellowship with Church.
Speak to one another with psalms, spiritual songs, making melody.

Lot of times, we use songs or Word of God in a unworthy manner. Confess before God and ask forgiveness.

" How can we sing the songs of the Lord
    while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
    my highest joy.

How can you be happy where there is a problem in Church.
How can you be singing songs of joy when others in church are in need or problem.
2 weeks back when Pastor announced for missions for needs of brothers and sisters, how many of you have given rejoicing.
even if we go to restaurant with family, it will easily cost 100$
if you buy a new smartwatch or any gadget, it costs 100s of dollars.
we never hesitate to buy these things, but when there is need in Church. be ready Church.
If I forget Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.


Remember Esther...
When Mordecai told eunch to tell estherabout what was hapenning.
Esther said i cannot help this time, because if somebody goes to king without being called, they will die.

we can give many execuses when there is some one in need in church.
i just bought a new house, i have to remodel my kithcen, i bought a new car.
but when it comes to Kingdom of God and Church and needs of Church, execuses does not work.
is there any place in gospels, where Jesus entertained excuses.
Never.

follow me, the person said let me bury my father, Jesus said let the dead bury the dead
i will follow , let me say good bye, no execuses.
a rich man came, i do all things, Jesus give away everything ,  he was sad and went away.
NO EXECUSES in kingdom of God.

V14.
If you donot help, God will inspire somebody to help , but you will be perishing.
who knows God has enabled you to be in this position to bless others.

"

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

When you hear these words, what you should do?
You should do exactly what Esther did?
1) Personal Life - her life is a life of prayer. a queen, but she does not forget Jerusalem.
  you might a king or a queen in your own house, in your own lives, but when its come to Church,   you fast and pray.

2) Fellowship life - not only she, but all attendants of her will fast.


3) Take a stand - take a stand that you will do what the word of God says.


just as Esther had fasted for jews, as Daniel had fasted for concern of jerusalem,
as Nehemaiah cried and fasted for Jerusalem,
get ready to fast , get ready to set your personal lives before God,
get ready to be concerened for the kingdom of God.

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish