2008 Weekly Bulletin Message
*2004, 2005, 2006 Weekly Bulletin Messages have
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Click on a date below to go directly to that message, or scroll entire document for all 2008 weekly messages.
1/6/08 KHORHOORT MEDZ YEV USKANCHELI
“A wonderful and great mystery is revealed on this day, the shepherds sing with the angels who announce the good news to the world.
“A new King is born in the city of Bethlehem, O you people, bless him, for he became flesh for our sake.
“He whom heaven and earth cannot contain is wrapped in swaddling clothes, without being separated from the Father, he rested in the holy manger.”
Ov Zarmanali (Oh Amazing)
Oh amazing and great mystery made manifest! God the creator coming to the river Jordan. He willed to be baptized of His Servant and the forerunner would not baptize.
Hearing this, the river Jordan turned to fly, wave after wave becoming messenger.
O river fear not, for I am Thy creator, I have come to be baptized and wash away sins.
Aysor Tzaynun Hayragan (Today the paternal voice)
This day the voice of the Father came down from the heaven, well pleased.
To witness for the beloved Son. Ah, make haste, O river, make haste, O river Jordan. The great precursor John sang with the voice of good tidings.
1/13/08 FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN
In today’s passage Jesus is teaching us a very valuable lesson.
In Luke 17: 1 and 2, Jesus condemns the person who causes others to sin. He says, “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.”
Every one of us is tempted to sin, but we have to be careful NOT to lead anyone else to sin. It was said that an old man who was dying, was obviously worried about something. He told them at last what it was. “When I was a lad,” he said, “I often played on a wide common. Near its centre two roads met and crossed, and, standing at the crossroads, was an old rickety signpost. I remember one day twisting it round in its socket, thus altering the arms and making them point in the wrong direction; and I’ve been wondering ever since how many travelers I sent on the wrong road.”
The first question then is this. Have we led anyone a stray?
Then Jesus tells about the necessity of forgiveness in the Christian life. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.”
It means that the Christian standard of forgiveness must immeasurably exceed the best the world can achieve. To receive forgiveness and to forgive is so important that Jesus inserted in His prayer. “FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS.” Did you notice? Before we go on our knees to pray we must have forgiven the person who has done wrong against us. Jesus later further explains the seriousness of forgiving, He goes on saying. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 7:14-15)
Therefore, next time when you go to God, it is advised that, before you ask forgiveness, you better make sure that you have also forgiven others.
Humanly speaking is hard but God will help you if you ask His help.
1/20/08 THE SOVEREIGN GOD AT WORK
When we say GOD IS SOVEREIGN we acknowledge Him as the God who is in charge of the entire universe.
Sovereign means “King” or “absolute ruler”.
For instance, if this church has been a spiritual home for some, that itself proves God’s sovereign providence. Although we are responsible for the daily decisions we make, God is the one who makes them work or not according to His diving will.
This means that God’s lordship is not remote but rather is involved in our individual lives. I must say that sometimes we do not understand it but it doesn’t mean that His divine involvement is not real in our daily lives. God has not created us as robots. He has given us free will and expects us to freely love him and commit ourselves to Him. God comes to us person to person. We are not numbers for Him.
Sometimes God allows unpleasant things to happen in our lives in order to get our attention. He talks to us by circumstances, by His Word and through the church.
You may ask then, why is there good and evil and why do bad things happen to godly people? Remember, we are living in an imperfect world, a world where evil is in existence, when sickness or death occur. It does not mean that the sovereign God has abandoned us, contrary it is that time when He comes to us and says; “FEAR NOT, FOR I HAVE REDEEMED YOU, I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME; YOU ARE MINE. WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU, AND WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY WILL NOT SWEEP OVER YOU…FOR I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD…” (Is 43:1-3)
In order to enjoy the sovereignty of God we have to put ourselves in His almighty hands and in every circumstance say, “THY WILL BE DONE.”
1/27/08 WHO IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE?
Human nature wants to be in charge. I remember Yeretzgin telling me of an incident a few years ago when she, Seta, and Michela were out Christmas shopping. That day Seta was not feeling well and needed a wheel chair to do the shopping. Michela, holding the handles of the wheel chair said, “Alright! I am in charge, I will take you wherever I want to go.” A few minutes later Seta says, “I want to go to this store,” Michela, jokingly says, “No, I want to go to that store.”
Wanting to take charge or to control if not done in proper perspective will sometimes become “out of control” and destructive.
Faith and trust in God will permit God to be in control and do for us not only the things that are best for us but also the things that we cannot do ourselves. Sin distorts our relationship with God, throws our lives out of proportion and out of balance. God’s will is to restore us to the harmony He intended in creation.
The Christian must understand that the nature of spiritual life is, not what we do for God, but what God does in us and through us.
We must constantly remind ourselves that God has created us “according to His own image,” and to live according to His will.
The Scripture describes God as being the Potter and we are the clay. He has the right to shape us the way He wants us to be shaped. God says, “Does the clay say to the potter, “What are you making?” (Is. 45:9) If we want to please our Maker, we then have to be willing to let Him mold us for His purpose. Another example is, put God in the driver’s seat of our lives, let Him steer and do not pull the wheel from Him.
Therefore, when we find ourselves “fully in charge” it is important to ask this question: Who should really be in charge of my life? If we make ourselves in full charge of our lives in everything we do, we have left God out of our lives.
The consequences? – We will not be able to please God. We don’t reach the full potential of God’s plan for us
2/3/08 THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND VARTAN THE BRAVE
This afternoon millions will be watching as the New England Patriots face the New York Giants.
Sometimes we don’t realize that to play a game, any game, it is not only the teams and their coaches that are involved in winning the game, but the fans and the cheerleaders who are a great factor in inspiring the teams and becoming a great force behind them.
No matter how much the players try not to pay attention to the cheering of the spectators, subconsciously they are influenced by their excitement and “booooooos”
I will call the fans and the cheerleaders“A FORCE BEHIND THE TEAM.”
Now, you may ask, what does the Super Bowl have to do with Vartan the Brace and Ghevont the Elder, the Priest.
Most probably we have all heard about the Battle of Avarayr, the battle that took place against the Parsians in 451 A.C. in order to defend our faith which was at stake. But we seldom hear about the heroes behind the St. Vartan, his army and the Armenian nation – THE GHEVONTYANTZ!
In those days Ghevont Yeretz (Ghevont the Elder) with the group of clergy were the spiritual force behind the nation. They were the ones who, by preaching the Bible constantly to the nation uplifted their spirit and strengthened their commitment and their faith toward God.
Ghevont Yeretz constantly reminded Vartan and his followers that in order to obtain the promised “Crown of Righteousness” and inherit the eternal life they had to be willing to sacrifice their lives for Christ who gave His life on their behalf. Ghevont brought so many examples from both the Old and New testaments, explaining how Abraham, Moses and the prophets did not seek comfort rather chose to please God like St Peter, Paul and the rest of the apostles who were persecuted and tortured for Christ.
He said, they too must be ready and willing to die for Christ, since the Bible says “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (II Tim 3:12)
I frankly believe that if in those days we did not have clergy who were dedicated and faithful to the Bible, like Ghevont Yeretz, I doubt we would have had courageous Vartan and his followers. After each time Ghevont gave a speech more young people were gladly joining the army to defend their faith against Persian threats. Even after the battle of Avarayr, Persians continued persecuting Ghevont and his followers, but they stood firm in their commitment to Christ and His Church. They were tortured and later were martyred.
No wonder it is said: “The blood of the martyrs are the seeds of the Church of Christ.”. From the first century and on, the more saints gave their lives for Christ, the more the Church of Christ flourished.
How are we today influencing and impacting the message of the Gospel to our fellowmen?
With the help of God, you can be a driving force behind your Family, Church and your Community.
2/10/08 A LIFE GUIDED BY THE BIBLE
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great house of Cilicia, is calling 2008 the “YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION”
In his message (you may pick up a copy outside in the foyer) the Catholicos asks a question, “WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND BY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?” Then the Catholicos goes on and gives the meaning of Christian education. He says, “CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MEANS, MOLDING THE INDIVIDUAL, WHO IS CALLED UPON TO BECOME, OR HAS ALREADY BECOME, A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, WITH BIBLICAL TRUTHS AND VALUES, SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN FOLLOW CHRIST WITH CONSCIOUS FAITH AND TOTAL DEVOTION.” (emphasis is mine)
As you can see, the Catholicos is emphasizing that the person who called himself/herself Christian must be molded with Biblical truths and values in order to be able to follow Christ.
Then he goes on to say that, “CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A TOTALITY OF TEACHINGS; NOR IS IT A SYSTEM OF SPIRITUAL VALUES, CHRISTIANITY IS LIFE. CHRIST SAID, “I HAVE COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTELY.” (John 10:10) (emphasis is mine)
What the Catholicos is saying is that to be called “Christian” is not a nametag that we carry on during baptism, but must be a lifestyle.
We have to “experience” Christ and His teachings in our daily life. In other words, as the apostle says in today’s lesson, the Scripture must teach us, rebuke us if necessary and correct us, in order to live a God pleasing life.
Unfortunately, we have neglected the teaching and the guiding of the Bible. In one word, WE HAVEN’T TAKEN THE BIBLICAL TEACHINGS SERIOUSELY, yet Catholicos in his message says, “CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS A COMPELLING NECESSITY FOR THE ARMENIAN CHURCH”. Of course he does not mean only for the “Armenian Church” but for every individual.
That is why this Church provides the ways and means to teach and guide the congregation with the truth of the Bible. That is why we have THE ALPHA COURSE EVERY THURSDAY AND LENTEN SERVICES EVERY FRIDAY. We encourage you to attend.
Beloved, we have to fill our lives with Bible truths that our forefathers did and gave their lives for.
Why Lent? And what is the meaning of Lent?
During Lent, as you can see, the church is as if in mourning. The curtain is closed and is black. The hymns are sung softly and some are read instead of sung. The entire church service seems not happy. The sermons are geared more to sin and repentance. We have the picture of Christ on the cross, and can’t help to stare at it. It is not pleasant to see because it reminds us of suffering and the reason of that suffering is our sins.
Lent is a time to set aside.
As Jesus withdrew Himself into the wilderness for forty days fasting and praying so we too must set aside time to think and reevaluate the purpose of His suffering.
We set aside time for our pleasure, and God forbid if that time is disturbed. We set a time to meet people and for a social hour, so it makes sense to set aside some time to think and ponder over on the condition of our souls, take an inventory to find out the direction of our lives and take time to see what God has done for us on the cross.
Lent offers us an opportunity to come to the terms with the human condition that we sometimes try to runaway from.
That is what we all do as sinners, and we all need a Savior.
Some of us do not have the heart to confront it, which may be the reason very few people attend Lent services. They try to shun away.
Lent is time to sincerely search and open the doors of our hearts a little wider in order to understand the Lord better through His suffering so that when Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday and Easter come they will not just be as other days but an opportunity to see and experience the overwhelming power and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our forefathers assigned Lent because it is good for our souls. It is a penitential time as we examine our sinful and rebellious nature and is a time to turn to God, as we see in our today’s Scripture, the Prodigal son did.
It is a bitter time yet with a sweet ending.
2/24/08 LET’S LEARN FROM THIS SHREWD MANAGER
Jesus spoke to many groups of people, educated and non educated, people who had high office, also to ordinary people. Religious and non religious people, children and adults alike. He touched the lives of every category of human beings and He often used Parables to make sure His message was well understood.
In chapters 15 and 16 of Luke’s Gospel we read the Parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Each Parable was spoken to address and reach to specific people.
The Parable of the “SHREWD STEWARD” was addressed to His followers as well as to the rich Pharisees who loved wealth and they heard all this and were “sneering at Jesus”. (v14)
In this Parable, Jesus is never suggesting to be dishonest and shrewd, rather He is suggesting to His followers to learn from the worldly astuteness, and to teach a lesson of spiritual prudence. All Jesus did, was to take this man’s foresight and promptitude wicked as they were in their application – as an illustration of qualities which have a necessary place in the life of a true believer.
The lesson at this point, then, is clear. The possession wealth, influence, position, leisure, and of opportunity are so to be used here on earth but never in the eternal state.
God’s faithful and bountiful stewards will never lose their reward.
God has given us gifts and talents and we are responsible to our divine Lord for whatever gifts, possession and position are given to us, whether temporal or spiritual, God has committed to our stewardship and we are accountable for each and every gift.
The Apostle James says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” (1:17) Therefore, “every good gift” that God the Father has granted us has to be put under His disposal and has to be used for Him.
Remember, the theme and the purpose of this Parable, it was about a Manager “WHO WAS ACCUSED OF WASTING HIS POSSESSIONS.” (v1)
Are you “wasting” God’s given possessions? Or, are you using them for your selfish reasons.
As this Steward’s boss after hearing that his manager was wasting his possessions, he said, “Give an account of your management…,” Like wise one day God will tell us, “Give an account of what I have given to you.”
How are you living your life, spending your time, your money and your possessions?
3/2/08 JESUS SAID, BE PERSISTENCE WHEN YOU PRAY
Prayer, I have often said, is like breathing in a Christian’s life. I learned more about how important the breathing is, as I watched my mother in the intensive care. When the doctors and nurses were doing their best to make sure that she was comfortable BREATHING.
In the Bible we see that men and women of God have prayed unceasingly, everywhere and anywhere they felt the need. Even on the beach.
“ALL THE DISCIPLES AND THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN ACCOMPANIED US OUT OF THE CITY, AND THERE ON THE BEACH WE KNELT TO PRAY.” (Acts 21: 5)
I wonder what the people around them thought when they saw them praying on the beach.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is telling two parables about praying. In today’s passage Jesus is telling us about an unjust, cruel, and wicked Judge who did not want to hear the poor widow’s case. Maybe because she was poor, helpless, and unattractive. Or, because being poor she could not bribe him. She had no one to protect her or present her case to this wicked judge. She was armed with nothing, except the fact that she had the right to be heard. Whatever this helpless poor widow had she used. HER PERSISTENCE!
How often have we felt we have run out of resources? How often have we felt helpless and hopeless? But, when we stop and think we hear an inner voice telling us: “don’t give up, keep trusting and be persistent.”
Jesus, by telling the parable of the “Unjust Judge,” is telling US today that if even an unjust judge can sometimes do justice, much more must we expect that the righteous, all loving and compassionate Father will vindicate to His children, who cry day and night without losing heart.
When we are misunderstood and mistreated by people do we get hurt? Do we give up hope? Or do we go to God and present our case to Him?
Paul writes, “...PRAY IN THE SPIRIT ON ALL OCCASIONS WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS AND REQUESTS. WITH THIS IN MIND, BE ALERT AND ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING...” (Eph. 6:18)
The lesson of the parable is, to be persistent, not to give up but to keep on going to God the Father, knowing that He knows your circumstances and will vindicate you soon. Even if He delays, DON’T GIVE UP!
3/9/08 THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Today’s passage is recorded in the Gospel of Matthews, and the gospels of Mark and Luke. When some incident or passage is recorded in more than one gospel, we better pay more attention to it. IT MUST BE VERY IMPORTANT!
In Jesus’ time, Pharisees were teachers of the Law. They knew the Law very well. Often when a Pharisee asked a question to Jesus, the intention was to either trap Him, or to see whether Jesus was going to say anything to contradict with the Scripture.
Here we see “THE PHARISEES GOT TOGETHER” and then one of them asked the question: “WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW,” In other words they wanted really to test Jesus to find out whether “THE TEACHER” knew His “stuff” or to find something to accuse Him of.
The Pharisees also were known as the “Religious” group of those days. In this incident we see that they themselves were trapped because, they were negligent in helping their neighbors.
Jesus quoted from the Book of Deuteronomy 6:5
“HEAR O ISRAEL: THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.” It is interesting to see that Jesus did not stop here; He gave the second important Commandment too. “AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT,” He continued, “ YOU MUST LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
Religion consists in loving God above every person or thing. That verse was part of the basic and essential teaching of Judaism. A sentence with which every Jewish service still opens, and the first text which every Jewish child commits to memory. It means that to God only we must give our total unreserved love, a love which dominates our emotions, a love which directs our thoughts, and a love which is the dynamic of our daily actions and life.
The second Commandment that Jesus quoted was from the Book of Leviticus: LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
What the Scripture is saying is this, the love of God first and foremost, and then the love of your fellow men should follow. It is only when we love God with all our heart, mind and soul not we will able to love our fellowmen. Even the ones that are dislikable.
BY LOVING GOD WE WILL HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD, AND WHEN WE HAVE THE GENUINE LOVE OF GOD ONLY THEN WE WILL LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AND CARE FOR HIM.
3/16/08 THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS WITH TEARS
“AS JESUS APPROACHED JERUSALEM AND SAW THE CITY, HE WEPT OVER IT AND SAID, IF YOU, EVEN YOU, HAD ONLY KNOWN ON THIS DAY WHAT WOULD BRING YOU PEACE-BUT NOW IT IS HIDDEN FROM YOUR EYES.”
When we think of Palm Sunday, we usually think of a joyous and victorious entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. And it is rightfully so. But Luke, the Evangelist, records the other side of Palm Sunday.
JESUS LAMENTING OVER JERUSALEM. SHEDDING TEARS AS HE APPROACHED THE CITY.
In contrast to the great joy of the crowd, the Son of God riding on the donkey is weeping at the sight of the City. What a paradox!
I am sure people nearby were surprised seeing the Son of David, the King weeping when thousands were celebrating His triumphant entrance. Jesus gave the reason for His tears. He said; “IF YOU, EVEN YOU, HAD ONLY KNOWN ON THIS DAY WHAT WOULD BRING YOU PEACE.”
Why was Jesus crying?
Because though they had eyes they did not see, they had ears but they did not hear, they missed the whole point of the message that God, through Jesus was trying to give to them.
One of the meanings of the name “Jerusalem” is, “Foundation of Peace.” And in those days Jerusalem was not in peace, just as today the world is not in peace. He was weeping because the people of the “City of Peace” were blind to the “Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6) If the people knew on that day what was truly happening and had recognized it for what it was, they could have found peace. They refused God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ, even though God directly visited them.
Jesus is also telling us today, “IF YOU HAD ONLY KNOWN WHAT WOULD BRING YOU PEACE.” Not power, not money, not material prosperity, not youth, not fame, but only Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace who has promised to give you and me His Peace. He gives the inner peace and tranquility that no other person can give and when you have it no one can take it away.
DON’T MAKE JESUS WEEP; INVITE HIM INTO YOUR HEART.
3/23/08 “CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. HE HAS CONQUERED DEATH BY DEATH, AND HAS GRANTED US LIFE THROUGH HIS RESURRECTION. GLORY BE TO HIM EVERMORE, AMEN!” (Sharagan, Hymn) You can conquer somebody or something, by being stronger than your opponent. If Christ hadn’t overcome death, then His victorious claim that He had overcome the world would have been in vain.
No one ever was able to proclaim victory over death and sin, but Jesus, boldly and rightfully defended His right to claiming victory over death. Why? Because Jesus is God and not a mere man. God the giver of life is the only one who could raise the dead, and because Jesus is God, He is the only one who has the right to say, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Whatever Jesus said, He fulfilled by His deeds. For example, when Jesus in the eight chapter of John said, “I am the light of the world,” He fulfilled this in John chapter 9 by giving sight to a young man who was born blind.
In John chapter 6: 35 Christ claimed to be the Bread of Life, when He said, “I am the Bread of Life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and who believes in ME shall never thirst.” It wasn’t to long after this statement was made, that Jesus fed more than 5000 people with five barley loaves and two fishes, and had some twelve baskets leftover fragments.
The good Lord did not only promise to provide our daily bread and needs, but to also satisfy and supply our spiritual needs as well. Both for the present and for eternal life.
He used earthly tangible examples of His claims to be light and bread so we could grasp His spiritual meaning.
One day when Jesus was in Capernaum, people brought to Him a paralyzed person to be healed. Jesus knew the most important thing that the sick man needed was spiritual healing. He said sick man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” The scribes got angry ad furiously questioned, “Why does this man (referring to Jesus) speak this? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Matt. 2:7) They were right this time about only God being able to forgive sin. It would have been blasphemy if Jesus were not God.
Yes, forgiving sins and granting eternal life is God’s business! Only God has the authority to forgive sin.
Through the Resurrection of Christ, we have some questions answered. The immortality of the soul. The Everlasting love of God
4/6/08 HOPE GIVES YOU REASON TO LIVE
“REMEMBER THAT AT THAT TIME YOU WERE SEPARATE FROM CHRIST...WITHOUT HOPE AND WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD.” (Eph. 2:12)
Hope is very essential in our lives. To live a life without hope, even when there are no rational grounds for it, is not healthy.
The Bible sometimes uses hope in the conventional sense. The farmer plows, for example, should plow in hope (I Cor. 9:10) for it is the hope of reward that sweetens his labor.
The Bible tells us the importance in living a life with hope. Hopelessness is a symptom of final desperation. When one has exhausted every human effort, when every prayer has been uttered and there seems to be no more options available, hopelessness envelopes.
We often perceive situations as hopeless because we place our hope in circumstances and people instead of in the living God. The above verse explains it very well. “SEPARATE FROM CHRIST...WITHOUT HOPE AND WITHOUT GOD.” It tells us that if we have no Christ we put our hope on circumstances or on people instead of in the Lord. Why is it that we try to do all things ourselves until the situation seems beyond hope and then we turn to the Lord?
So many put their hope and trust in what they have or are; money, possessions or prestige, and once they are gone their hope also disappears. Paul writing to young Timothy, states, “COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH IN THIS PRESENT WORLD NOT TO BE ARROGANT NOR TO PUT THEIR HOPE IN WEALTH, WHICH IS SO UNCERTAIN, BUT TO PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD, WHO RICHLY PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING FOR OUR ENJOYMENT.” (I Tim. 6:17)
God is interested in providing our needs and make our lives enjoyable. It is up to us to shift our hope from things to God.
Hopelessness is not a situation. It is an attitude toward a situation. We have to realize that God is the source of our hope. We must put our trust and hope in Him. Have you?
4/13/08 THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND YOU ARE THE PART OF IT.
It today’s passage, (read it please) Paul describes the Church as the Body of Christ. We are privileged to be members of that Body.
Just as the human body is one, with many organs, so is the Church, the Body of Christ, formed with many members.
In this passage the Apostle Paul writes about the unity of the Church. The Church consists of many members, and members have different habits, customs and tempers. If there is no harmony and unity in any church, there will be chaos and confusion.
That is why Paul is comparing the Church to a human body. A body consists of many parts but there is in it an essential unity.
Jesus established the Church, His Body. He is the head of that Body therefore He should be in charge of His Church. Though Christ is no longer physically present in His Church, if He wants tasks done in this world He has to find men and women to do them. We are to be His hands and feet, to accomplish what He would like to accomplish. But if the members of the Body do no cooperate with each other, confusion and chaos will take place, not only will Christ not be able to accomplish His Mission, but also we will become the stumbling blocks.
A FEW POINTS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION
A. - We have to realize that we need each other. Each organ intricately functions depending on the others as well. There can be no such thing as isolation in the Church. Sometimes we get carried away, thinking that we are the most important part “organ” of the church, thus we neglect, even dare to criticize others who have chosen to do other tasks.
B. - We have to respect each other. In the body there is no question of relative importance. If any organ ceases to function, the whole body is thrown out of gear. It is so with the Church. When we begin to think about our own importance in the Church, the possibility of real Christian work is diminished.
C. - Finally, we ought to sympathize with each other. If any part (organ) of our body is affected don’t all the other parts of the body suffer with it and try to compensate for the other part?
The Church is a Whole. The person, who cannot see beyond his/her person or family circle, has not even grasped the real meaning and the unity of the Church.
We have of course heard of the importance of physical exercise, but have you ever heard of SPIRITUAL EXERCISE?
The other day I was talking to someone in France. He was telling me how frustrating it was to see that people do not change their bad habits. He went on saying that “I am sure he is trying hard and for a short while he is good but later he goes back to his old habits.
I told him, “He has to do spiritual exercise.” My friend had never heard that there was such a thing as Spiritual Exercise.
In today’s Scripture Paul writing to a young Timothy, states;
“TRAIN YOURSELF TOWARD GODLINESS (PIETY), KEEPING YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY FIT. FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING IS OF SOME VALUE (USEFUL FOR A LITTLE), BUT GODLINESS (SPIRITUAL TRAINING) IS USEFUL AND OF VALUE IN EVERYTHING AND IN EVERY WAY, FOR IT HOLDS PROMISE FOR THE PRESENT LIFE AND ALSO FOR THE LIFE WHICH IS TO COME.” (I Thim. 4:7-8)
I am sure for some of us physical exercise is a burden. We climb a couple of flights of stairs and count it our daily exercise.
Growing, whether physical or spiritual, is always related to two things. NUTRITION AND EXERCISE.
Nobody grows physically without eating properly. I know personally that regular exercise is very important if we want to keep our bodies in good shape. As soon as I get up in the morning, before I do anything else I spend some time exercising. If a child only lies in bed and eats all the time, he may grow physically but he won’t be a healthy baby. If we only read the Bible and hear the sermons without spiritual exercise, we will not grow. The knowledge will be stored and stay only in the brain and will make no difference in our lives. If we allow the Word to open our hearts acknowledge our sins and then obey and put into action what we have read or heard then the Word of God will transform our lives. That is why the Psalmist says; I HAVE HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART THAT I MAY NOT SIN AGAINST YOU.” (119:11)
If we allow Christ to work within us along with the Word of God then we will see our lives change for the better. Even Paul the apostle admits this truth. He writes;
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom.7: 18_25) Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."( John 8:31-32)
In Memory of our forefathers, who overcame torture and death by faith in 1915 April 24
In the Old Testament, when God performed a miracle or, when a memorable event took place, men of God erected pillars and memorials to remind themselves and the particular event, or the work of God.
The reason we commemorate events, happy or sad, is to make a connection with the past and, · TO PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS: LEAVING US AS A REMNANT - SURVIVORS. TO LEARN FROM THE PAST, IN ORDER NOT TO SEE THE SAME MISTAKE HAPPEN. · TO GO FORWARD AND LIVE A LIFE WITH HOPE... PLEASING GOD.
In chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews we read as follows; “THE HEROES OF FAITH.” In the first few verses the writer gives the definition of faith. And tells us what God pleasing faith is. Then he writes about the men and the women of God who, by faith, walked with God in spite of persecution, torture hardship and death.
The writer, referring to the people of God writes: “ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE STILL LIVING BY FAITH WHEN THEY DIED, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE THINGS PROMISED, THEY ONLY SAW THEM AND WELCOMED THEM FROM A DISTANCE. AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE ALIENS AND STRANGERS ON EARTH. PEOPLE WHO SAY SUCH THINGS SHOW THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN. (Heb. 11:13-14). To the end of their days they were nomads, never living a settled life in a settled land. They had to be forever moving on. Why? They lived forever as strangers and foreigners. In other words they had fixed their eyes on eternal things, as the Apostle says. (II Cor. 4:18)
So were the Armenians, though we had our own properties, houses and businesses we were put out of our own Country. In verse 13 the writer says:” THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE THINGS PROMISED...”For our forefathers, the enemy, the Turks, promised comfort and future if they had denied their faith and nationality. But our people, like the apostles said: “THEY WOULD RATHER OBEY GOD THAN HAVE EARTHLY PROMISES AND POSSESSIONS.”
We ask the question, why God allows tragedies and massacres to happen? One thing we know for sure is, that God is not the source of evil. As long as we are living in this world, evil is also at work. We can see genocides are continuing in various places. One thing we know that our habitation here is temporary and not permanent. The Ottoman Turks thought to exterminate us but like the Heroes of the Bible the Armenians believed that “GOD HAD PLANNED SOMETHING BETTER FOR [THEM]…” (Heb. 11:40)
5/4/08 GAZE YOUR EYES UPON THE LORD
David is one of the Godly men I admire. God Himself testified concerning him: I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. (Acts 13:22)
In spite of his shortcomings, from youth David was devoted to God. You remember when he faced the giant Goliath, he did so in the name of the Lord.
David had a very tough life. Problems he created for himself, from his own son, from his people and from King Saul. But in every circumstance David admitted his shortcomings, inadequacy and, whenever he was in trouble he went to the Lord with confidence for help.
HIS CONFIDENCE IS NOT THE RESULT OF THE ABSENCE OF PROBLEMS.
It is very clear that David encountered many problems and difficulties. He mentioned evil men attacking him, he said they were his enemies, an army besieged him and war broke out against him. He was surrounded by problems and hardships.
David knew that the most reliable and capable way to save him from troubles and tribulations were not by his army, his position as king or his advisors but by trusting God.
David found a safe haven in the presence of God.
I encourage you to read the Psalms and find out more about David’s openness, commitment and dedication to God.
DAVID LONGED TO SPEND TIME IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
In the midst of his difficulties, David kept focusing on God and not on his difficult situations. He said, the Lord is my light, the Lord is my salvation, the Lord is the stronghold of my life, and the Lord is my Shepherd. It was because his eyes were on God that he was able to say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"
This is the consistent message of the Bible - that we are to look to God, and not to our surroundings or people
Isaiah says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." (26:3-4)
5/11/08 MOTHERS WHO RAISED THEIR CHILDREN FOR GOD AND THE NATION
I find it very interesting that God went to a little town called Nazareth (a town with a bad reputation "Can anything good come out of Nazareth" Nathaneal) and went to a humble cottage and tapped a girl on the shoulders who was probably barely a teenager and choose her to be the mother of Jesus.
2 times in our text Gabriel told Mary that she was highly favored by God. Why? What was there about Mary that had so caught the creator’s attention?
Now we are not told the answer to this directly in Scripture -but nevertheless the answer is there hidden in the very few and very brief accounts of Mary recorded by the inspired writers.
MARY WAS HIGHLY FAVORED BY GOD: BECAUSE OF WHAT MARY ALREADY HAD MARY HAD THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE.
When Gabriel gave Mary the big news, she was greatly troubled. She was no doubt a little on edge having an angel of the Lord speak to her, and the message that Gabriel brought her was a very troubling one.
Mary could of said; "Lord I’m just a girl. I’m not ready to be a mother, I’m not wealthy, I’m not educated - I’m not worthy of this; maybe it would be better if you got someone else."
That’s not what Mary said is it, no she said, "I am the Lord’s servant, may it be as you have said..."
Mary had the right perspective.
She knew who God was (The Lord Almighty) – and who she was, His servant. (The word servant used here is the same word Paul used when he referred to himself as a “bond slave “ of Jesus Christ) Mary was God’s servant and she that nothing was impossible for her God – if God said it, Mary knew that it would happen, and even if she didn’t really understand the hows – Mary would go along with it because she was God’s servant.
And if the Lord Almighty wanted to give her the task of raising the Son of God – then she would accept it…
Mary also had the proper perspective about her role as a mother – in that she saw it as an honor – as a blessing.
Mother’s today like Mary, need to have the proper perspective – they too are servants of God, in all things and especially is raising God’s children. For each life is knit in the womb by the hand of The Almighty – and just as Mary had the responsibility to raise Jesus for God – all mothers share that same responsibility. They need to view their work as mothers as being God’s servant raising His children for Him… And though they may feel at times overwhelmed and inadequate for the task…they need to realize like Mary that, “nothing is impossible with God.”
5/18/08 “HEAR MY PRAYERS, O
LORD…”
King David is the writer of the above words. It seems that the king was in desperate need and begging God to hear his prayers and answer. When you read the entire chapter of Psalm 86 it gives the impression that David feels distant from God. He is begging for mercy and joy. Pleading over and over to God to hear his prayers.
“HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD; LISTEN TO MY CRY FOR MERCY. IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE I WILL CALL TO YOU, FOR YOU WILL ANSWER ME.”(Ps. 86:6-7)
One of the greatest privileges for a Christian is, to talk to and be heard by God. The latter begins AFTER he/she receives forgiveness of his/her sins, which causes the gate to approach to the throne of God to open.
Every one of us wants to receive forgiveness from God and men. But, as we read the Scripture we see that forgiveness is not a one-way street. That is to say just to be forgiven by God and stop there. In Luke 6:37 Jesus states this principal: “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Again and again Jesus stresses this in the Lord’s Prayer. Only God knows how many times a day we say, “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgiven our debtors.” Jesus continues by saying, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:12,14,15)
I admit, it is a very difficult demand Jesus is asking of us, but unless forgiveness is horizontal as well as vertical, the Bible clearly states that our prayers will remain unheard and unanswered.
Forgiveness is three folds.
1. - To be forgiven by God through Jesus Christ. (If we confess our sins.)
2. –To forgive those who have hurt us.
3. – To ask forgiveness from those whom we have hurt.
In Matthew 6:15 Jesus said, “BUT IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE MEN THEIR SINS, YOUR FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOUR SINS. AND WHENEVER YOU STAND PRAYING, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE, FORGIVE HIM [HER] AND LET IT DROP (LEAVE IT, LET IT GO), IN ORDER THAT YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN MAY ALSO FORGIVE YOU YOUR [OWN] FAILINGS AND SHORTCOMINGS AND LET THEM DROP.”(Amplified translation)
So before we say, “HEAR MY PRAYERS, O LORD,” let us say to God, “SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART; TEST ME AND KNOW MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS. SEE IF THERE IS ANY OFFENSIVE WAY IN ME, AND LEAD ME IN THE WAY EVERLASTING.” (Ps. 139:23-24)
5/25/08 GOD KNOWS YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW YOURSELF
How often have we said, “I know best?” Not only do we think that we know best but we think we know ourselves better than anybody else.
We forget sometimes that God, who created us, knows us better than we ourselves and He cares for us more than we care for ourselves.
David starts the Psalm by saying; “O LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME AND YOU KNOW ME.”
God’s amazingly detailed knowledge of David is set forth in a variety of ways in the first four verses. Not only does God know our inmost being but also He knows whether I sit or rise, whether I travel or settle down. That is wherever we go and whatever we do is not hidden from God. In theological term we say God is omniscient, that is, He is everywhere.
The second point that David makes in this Psalm is that God not only knows us but He surrounds us. “IF I RISE ON THE WINGS OF THE DAWN, IF I SETTLE ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE SEA, EVEN THERE YOUR HAND WILL GUIDE ME, YOUR RIGHT HAND WILL HOLD ME FAST.” David is not trying to run away from God, contrary he appreciates that his Creator knows where his is and He cares and protects him.
The third point David makes is, he acknowledges that he was not on this planet by accident, rather God created him for a reason. “FOR YOU CREATED MY INMOST BEING; YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER'S WOMB. I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE; YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL, I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.” Not just from birth to death, but from conception to death, a human life is God’s handiwork. Even David is amazed when he thinks about the kind of Father God is. He exclaims, “SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS TOO WONDERFUL FOR ME, TOO LOFTY FOR ME TO ATTAIN.”
Let me ask you these questions.
Did you know that God knows you better than you know yourself? He knows where you go, He knows your words even before you speak, and He knows your thoughts. You cannot run away from Him. And the good part is that God cares for you, He loves you and wants the best for you.
HE IS WAITING FOR YOU TO RUN INTO HIS ARMS.
6/1/08 DON’T LOOK DOWN ON A CHILD, RATHER BE LIKE A CHILD
“SEE THAT YOU DO NOT LOOK DOWN ON ONE OF THESE CHILDREN.” Said Jesus
What is a child like? An innocent child doesn’t try to impress his Father to gain his Father’s attention and love. A child does what he does because he knows his Father loves him and because he loves his Father. Why complicate it? When a child receives a gift, he leaps in joy to express his delight. When a child imitates his father, he does it because he admires his father. When a child obeys, its because he respects his father, even his father’s authority.
He’s not looking to become great. He’s looking to be grateful. He’s looking to imitate his Father. He’s looking to obey out of reverence.
Here’s the point - in our relationship with God, we adults are in the same position as our children, except that we don’t know it. We sometimes behave as if we are running our lives, and that we are in control. We feel capable, and sometimes to such an extent that we feel we don’t really need God.
We need to know, that we are not in control. And like a child, to be always looking up to someone for security and for help.
We have to remind ourselves that we cannot handle life with our own wisdom or capabilities. We have no absolute control over our life.
We look at the news everyday. We see all kinds of forces - natural, social, political or economic forces at work around us – every day, over which we have little or no influence at all.
But we know we have someone who is wiser, bigger and stronger than we are.
The child knows that. The child often looks around to see if his parents are around. If they are not, they’ll start to cry, because they feel insecure.
Today, like a child, we must humbly acknowledge that there is this ‘Adult’ in our life – our heavenly Father. He is that someone who is bigger and stronger, that someone we can look up to. We are not in control but He is.
Jesus wants us to look away from ourselves – from seeing how great we are, and be like a child - to see how great the Father is. He is the King in the kingdom of heaven, and we are to look up to Him.
This perspective is critical, if we want to stay strong in a chaotic world like ours today. Our God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He will accomplish His purposes on earth and no one can change His plans.
6/8/08 PUT THE WORD INTO ACTION
Sometimes people ask me, “Der Hayr, do you think everybody listens to you while you are preaching?”
I tell them, “Not everybody listened to Jesus why should I expect them to listen to me?”
To listen to a sermon or a person talk is a difficult “task.” It takes effort for someone to listen attentively. James, the practical Apostle, in his Book tells us that it is not enough to be called Christians, Christianity must be lived. He writes, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (1:19) What James is saying is this; PRACTICE LISTENING MORE THAN TALKING. LESS TALKING AND MORE LISTENING.
Aren’t we all doing just the opposite?
Only hearing the Word without putting it into practice is like when you are invited to a dinner, you smell the delicious meal cooking. The host puts the meal on the beautifully set table. Unless you eat from it, the delicious meal will not become part of you, you leave that house hungry, but the minute you eat that food it will flow through your system and nourish your body. The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it” (Rev. 1:3)
Reading and hearing the Word of God is not sufficient, to take it in heart is a must! That is to put it into practice. James emphasizes again, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (Verse 22)
The Word of God is like a mirror, reflects our inner being. If the Bible shows our sins and our shortcomings, we should not walk away without pondering over it. We must confess our sins and ask forgiveness. James tells us over and over again to know the Bible cover to cover will not please God neither will it edify our souls unless we let the Holy Spirit transform our lives by implementing the Word into our lives. Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)
Pascal once said that there is a God-shaped vacuum within every individual. We sense He exists. But we need to know Him as more than just a Creator. We need to know Him intimately - what He is like, what we can do to please Him.
When we begin to realize who God is, we discover that we desire to be more like Him, to understand His will, to make His character our character. As Paul writes, to be imitators of God. (Eph. 5:1)
Why should we get to know God better? Because He created us by His own image and for His purpose and His glory.
GOD IS LIGHT. (1st John 1:5) God, as a light, offers us direction. We should get to know Him better because, in this chaotic world we need direction and guidance. With His light we could find our way to peace, security and eternal life.
GOD IS LOVE. (1st John 4:8) I get to know God better so that I get to know the meaning of the Devine love and I’ll have greater capacity to love my fellowman, to reach out, to be what I need to be for other people. Without the love of God in us we become self-centered creatures. That is not what God wants us to be. Paul says, “God demonstrated His own love in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) The greatest example of love was when Christ, hanging on the cross, said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
We cannot have a forgiving spirit, unless we have tasted the love of God.
To forgive a person who does wrong to you is more than a human being can handle. I am sure you know that.
You may feel as if you are doing fine until you realize that you are a complicated, integral creation that needs to be developed mentally, socially, physically and spiritually.
AND, THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU KNOWING GOD PERSONALLY.
You may know of Him, but do you know Him personally?
6/22/08 “YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT”
I am sure you have heard the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish so many times. How often have we taken it as a mere story and never pondered over each step of the incident.
Let’s not think that the crowds pursuing Jesus that day were doing it just for a free meal. With some that may have been reason enough, but their motivation was stronger than that. They had hunger for life itself. Oh yes some followed Him for physical and material needs, as is true these days. They seek and follow Jesus when they are in physical desperation.
When the disciples said to their Teacher, “SEND THE CROWD AWAY, and SO THEY CAN GO TO THE VILLAGES AND BUY THEMSELVES SOME FOOD.” Jesus said “THEY DO NOT NEED TO GO AWAY. YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”
Maybe this was the first time Jesus gave His disciples a very serious responsibility to feed more than 5000 people. Lets face it. It was a big and humanly speaking, impossible task. The disciples realized their inadequacy. They did not have much to give. They had only five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus said, “BRING THEM TO ME.” They had to obey their Master; they had to bring all they had.
And today God is asking us to surrender to Him what we have in order for us to serve others more effectively.
We are responsible to the spiritual and physical needs of our fellowmen. We cannot, like Cain, say, and “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God will say, “Yes, you are.” God has put each one of us on this planet to help each other, to meet each other’s needs. In order to be able to help others we have to first give ourselves to the Creator and put everything in His disposal.
You and I can turn a deaf ear to the needy of this world. We can callously shrug our shoulders and say, "Let God feed them." But God works through people who are responsive to God's leading. There is nothing in this world that cannot be accomplished. Jesus said, "You feed them!" And we can. But, first of all, there needs to be some young man or some young woman or some adult, some grandparent, perhaps, who steps up and says, "Here are my fishes and loaves, take it and use it as you would."
That’s what the disciples did, and that is why they were able to feed more than 5000, because the fish and the loaves passed through the hands of Jesus. TRY IT - YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!
6/29/08 WHY THE TRANSFIGURATION WAS IMPORTANT?
“I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, SOME WHO ARE STANDING HERE WILL NOT TASTE DEATH BEFORE THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM. AFTER SIX DAYS JESUS TOOK WITH HIM PETER, JAMES AND JOHN THE BROTHER OF JAMES, AND LED THEM UP A HIGH MOUNTAIN BY THEMSELVES. THERE HE WAS TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM. HIS FACE SHONE LIKE THE SUN, AND HIS CLOTHES BECAME AS WHITE AS THE LIGHT. JUST THEN THERE APPEARED BEFORE THEM MOSES AND ELIJAH, TALKING WITH JESUS.” (Matt. 16:28, 17:1-3)
Today the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates The Feast Of The Transfiguration Of Our Lord. The Transfiguration is one of the five Tabernacle Feast in the Armenian Church. Is called “Daghavar.” According to Canon Law, requiem services, “Hokehankist” are not held on Transfiguration Sunday.
The transfiguration is recorded in the three gospels. If anything is mentioned in more than one Gospel we better pay extra attention to it. It means it is important.
Why was it important for Jesus to be TRANSFIGURED before His elected disciples? The TRANSFIGURATION marks an important stage in the revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of God. Here we see His glory is revealed not just through His deeds and preaching, but also in a more personal way. The Transfiguration denotes the royal presence. Jesus’ close disciples witnessed His heavenly glory revealed.
When we study the three gospels we see three reasons Jesus chose to reveal His Godhood before His departure from earth.
A. - In Luke we read; “Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about His departure, (that is about His crucifixion) which He was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.” (9:30-31)
So the first reason we see that the TRANSFIGURATION was important was to fulfill what it was prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus had said in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
So through His TRANSFIGURATION Jesus wanted to prove to His disciples the fulfillment of the Prophecies that were made in the Old Testament with regard to His Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. It looks back to the Old Testament and shows how Christ is the fulfillment of the Prophecies.
B. - The second reason the TRANSFIGURATION was important was, because if Jesus’ disciples were going to be His witnesses, it was necessary for them to witness the glory of their Master, the glory that He had before His taking a human body. If Jesus hadn’t shown His Divine glory to John he couldn’t have written these words. “Which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” (I John 1: 1)
Peter also refers the TRANSFIGURATION in his second Letter.” We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, stating, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain.” (II Peter 16_18) Peter is writing of the exact experience that he had the Mount of TRANSFIGURATION. (Matt. 17:5)
C. - The third reason the event of TRANSFIGURATION was important for the disciples as well as for us was, so that we would not be distracted by so called “important” celebrities. When the disciples saw Moses and Elijah, they were tempted to stay on the Mount, but the voice from above said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM.” (MATT. 17:5)
Our eyes and ears should not and must not drift away from the Son of God, Jesus Christ. WE MUST LISTEN TO HIM!
And when we keep listening to His Word and doing His will, He will transform our lives and we will have fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Christian life just like our physical life it, needs to grow.
Each time we hear a sermon, read the Bible or read a Christian book it should help us to become more mature in the Christian Life, by teaching us to have Jesus as our Model and standard of life.
Paul, writing to the church in Ephesians stated that God gave apostles, preachers in order “…. we all (the Christians) reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13)
For the Christian, spiritual growth is crucial for several reasons.
1. – It strengthenss our spiritual muscles for the stresses we find in the “real world”
God never promised that the Christian would be free of problems, BUT He as provided the resources with which we can confront them. He helps us find the resources necessary when we are thrust into the stress of loss of employment, illness or tragedy. The Christian with a firm and growing faith will still have problems, but will also have the inner strength to deal with it.
2. - It helps us model Christ to others.
Whether we like it or not, people are constantly watching us to see how we live. Coming to church and singing the sharagans (hymns) is not sufficient. We have to live the things we learn. A spiritually immature person may, through daily ungodly actions, cause harm to Christ and discourage others from knowing Him. If we claim that we are growing spiritually, then the Lord should be in charge of all areas of our lives and it is He who will help us to grow and become better models to others.
Spiritual growth is an important dynamic for us. It is not related to how we feel; it is related to where we stand in obedience to the Lord.
The best way to grow is when we go through difficult times. Then we learn to get “The treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places.” (Is.45: 3) In difficult times we will become more intimate with God as Job was. At the end of his suffering Job declared, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5)
7/13/08 THE MIGHTY CHURCH OF CHRIST
In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 16 we read that Christ established the Church. The Church is the Christians who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ and trusted Him for their salvation.
Jesus did not establish denominations. Denominations are founded by people. The Church of Christ is non-denominational and non-sectarian. The Creed reads, “WE BELIEVE IN ONE CATHOLIC (That is Universal) AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.”
The purpose of any Church Organization should be to teach men and women the Word of God and to guide them toward eternal life.
Sometimes a question is asked, “Why do I have come to church?” Or, “Is it mandatory for me to attend church?”
Because Christians are members of one another (Rom. 12:5) we need to be with one another. Worshiping God together is one of the ways we build the unity of the church. During Badarak (Divine Liturgy) when we take and give the Kiss of Peace we sing “Order of the holy greeting has been given. The Church has become one person.” Also, in worshiping together we see life in God’s perspective, thus our lives will be redirected, if need be. It is just like taking your car to a mechanic for a tune up. We will be “tuned” to God’s voice. The Christian cannot be vital, growing and effective unless he/she is close contact with each other. In the New Testament we see the Church of Christ as a Community where a whole range of spiritual gifts were exercised for the glory of God and for the benefit of others. Christ has commanded us to be part of the Christian Community. We cannot be isolated if we want to become effective in the Kingdom of God. If we are a growing Christian then we participate in worshipping together, not just for what we can get, but also for what we can give. Paul, writing to the Macedonian church, stated, “THEY GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD AND THEN TO US IN KEEPING WITH GOD’S WISH.” (II Cor. 8:5)
Just as for a family is important to get together, so it is even more important for the family of God to get together; TO WORSHIP, TO SERVE AND TO EDIFY EACH OTHER.
John, the beloved apostle of Jesus was the only apostle who died a natural death. In today’s Scripture (I John 1) the apostle talks about Jesus as “THE WORD OF GOD.” Remember? He starts the Gospel of John saying; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (1:1) In this chapter John makes several “proclamations” one of which is that Jesus is the life giving God. He also proclaims that the person who has accepted Jesus in his/her life has eternal life. And the reason John is proclaiming these truths is in order for us to have fellowship with God the Father.
The apostle's letter is so relevant to our modern-day people. It tells us about what people think about sin, forgiveness and eternal life.
First, it tells us that “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.’ Thus anything else John is writing he is writing under the light of God. These are some of the points John is making.
A. - The apostle says that some people claim that they are good Christians. That they belong to a church, sometimes they attend church, they give and work for the church, and therefore they must be acceptable to God. John writes, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” (V.6) What John is saying is that if our lives are not different than other people’s, and is not lived according to the Bible we are NOT followers of Christ. Our standard of life must correlate with obedience to the Scriptures.
B. – The second category of people say, “I have done nothing wrong, I have not killed anyone, I have not stolen anything therefore I have no sin and I deserve heaven. John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (V.8) The Bible clarifies this SIN issue when Paul writes; “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom.3:23)
C. – The third category is the person who, like the Prodigal son admits that he/she because of his/her sins is separated from God has to come back to the Father through Jesus Christ, confessing his/her sins and receive forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”(V.9) Once you confess your sins to God, God is faithful to His promise to forgive and fix your life. According to the Bible He will give you a new heart to love Him with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your fellowman. Even the unlovable. God will give you a new purpose, vision and meaning for your life. I hope you belong to the third category.
7/27/08 YOUR DESTINATION IS IN YOUR
HANDS
Jesus often taught using parables, which are, to simplify an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. In Matthew 13 alone Jesus used five parables. He intentionally spoke in parables in order to make His message clear. Sometimes to those who were interested in understanding His message.
In today’s parable of the Sower, Jesus is describing four types of listeners. Even He realizes that not all of His listeners were genuine, honest and attentive listeners. They came to Him for many reasons and motives. So it is today, also that people come to church for many reasons. Only God and you know why are you here this morning.
In order for you to enjoy your coming to church and get spiritual benefit, I suggest a couple points to consider.
A. – COME, EXPECTING GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU.
Don’t precondition your mind. In other words, do not have your mind made up before you come to church. We often fail to hear anything because we think we know everything there is to know already. We think there is nothing that will be said that will bring any more information than we already possess. Besides, we believe, nothing that is spoken will change our firmly held convictions and longstanding prejudices. The sermons that are most loved by this particular group of listeners are those, which simply confirm what they already believe.
Come to church with open heart and mind. Come to church to expect a change of heart and mind.
B. –BALANCE LISTENING WITH HEAD AND HEART - FEELINGS AND ACTION.
Don’t listen to the message with emotions. Emotional listening is like a seed that finds itself on rocky soil, a bit of topsoil where it can sprout quickly. But since there is no root it soon wilts in the midst of the reality of the sun and the heat. In contrast a good listener balances emotions and feelings with a healthy sense of what is required in the real world. To be able to hear the Word with excitement and enthusiasm, but also be able to transplant that same Word into action the world is balanced listening. As we listen, we are stirred, moved, and excited, but we also put down roots and allow the Word to sink in, moving us to action in response to what we have heard.
You and I can make our own determination As to the way we listen and read the Word of God.
A good listener, however, is one who is focused, centered and attentive. To be able to concentrate when all around us there is chaos and confusion is the art of listening with a deeper sense than with just an ear or two.
The good listener will take the Word into his/her heart, will grow spiritually and will bear spiritual fruit.
Jesus ended His Parable by saying; “HE WHO HAS EARS, LET HIM HEAR.”
May God give us listening ears and on obeying will.
8/3/08 THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS
As I said last week Jesus often spoke with parables. He used parables like stories, to make His point clear and understood by His audience.
In this chapter Jesus spoke the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the yeast, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Net.
Here in this Parable our Lord is talking about THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS. Those of us who have garden know what weed does to the grass and the vegetable. We get weed killer, we pull the weed out to make sure they don’t harm the good plants or the grass.
That is what Jesus is telling us. Teaching us that there will always be people around us who will be a bad influence on our lives. We have to be careful. The Apostle Paul says; “DO NOT BE MISLED: BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER.” (I Cor. 15:33) What the Apostle and Jesus are saying to us that, we have to be careful whom we are associating with. By associating with “bad company” will destroy our character. The lesson is we must be forever on our guard.
Some times it is hard to distinguish the good and the bad. People may appear to be good, like “Satan appears himself as an angel of light.” (II Cor.11: 14) Often we are too quick to judge people and label them good or bad, therefore Jesus is also cautioning us not to judge hasty.
This Parable is teaching us that God who searches the hearts, is the only one who has the right and the power to judge, and His judgment will be just.
When we recite the Nicene Creed we say; “HE [JESUS] IS TO COME WITH THE SAME BODY AND WITH THE GLORY OF THE FATHER TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD; OF HIS KINGDOM THERE IS NO END.”
Therefore, the lessons in this parable are the follows:
A. - As much as possible, be careful from bad influence.
B. - Don’t be quick to judge your fellowman.
C. - We all are going to be judged by God, let’s be careful.
8/10/08 FORGIVE, AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN
To be forgiven and to forgive is the central core of Christianity.
The main Mission of Jesus was to offer forgiveness.
“For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven…For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried.” (The creed)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)
When we confess our sins to God, He not only forgives but also forgets our sins. He says, “ Your sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” In today’s Parable Jesus is giving the portrait of God. I wonder if the issue of forgiving was bothering Peter when he asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question was, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” You don’t need to use your calculator to know that when some one offends us 490 times a day, you and I are suppose to forgive and forget.
Is it tough? Well, I did not make the rules, argue with Jesus.
The actual means of seventy times seven is, AS GOD FORGIVES OUR UNLIMITED SINS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, SO WE TOO MUST FORGIVE TO OUR FELLOW MEN.
I admit, that forgiving is not an easy task, so was with God. Imagine how many times a day we sin and then we go to God and ask forgiveness. And we expect Him to forgive us our trespasses.
The cure to not become bitter, (which kills the soul) is forgiving. Dr. Archibald Hart defines forgiveness as: “GIVING UP MY RIGHT TO HURT YOU FOR HURTING ME.” It is the willingness to send the offender and the offence away into the hands of God, and let God take care of the issue.
Let’s be honest, if you ask the question Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive to so and so?” and if His answer to you will be, “UNLIMITED! JUST AS I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU” Would you tell Jesus “forget it Lord, I can’t do it” You know what His answer would be? Then “if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:15)
THE CHOICE IS YOURS.
IN ORDER TO BE FORGIVEN, YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO FORGIVE.
“FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.”
The Armenian word used for the Assumption is “VERAPOKHOOM” which means “Transport up”.
This Feast is called “The Tabernacle Feast of Assumption.
After the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ much loved disciples and Apostle John, per our Lord’s request, became the guardian and the supporter of Mary (John 19:26-27)
According to the tradition, Mary lived in Jerusalem the rest of her life and she died at the age of 50.
All the Apostles were present at her burial, except Bartholomew, who was in Armenia preaching the Gospel of Christ. After a short while St Bartholomew returned to Jerusalem. When he was informed of Mary’s death and burial he insisted on going to the grave and see her for the last time.
The Apostles gathered in the cemetery trying to satisfy Bartholomew’s request. However, according to the tradition, when they opened the grave Mary’s body was not there. The Apostles assumed that Jesus had taken her into heaven to be with Him.
I should mention here that this tradition did not become a teaching of the Church until the 9th Century.
When you read the Gospels you can see that Mary’s life as a mother of the Savior was not easy. She knew what was going to happen to her Son Jesus. Do you remember when Joseph and Mary brought the Baby Jesus to the temple to be presented to God and the Temple what Simeon said?
“THE CHILD IS DESTINED TO CAUSE THE FALLING AND RISING OF MANY IN ISRAEL, AND TO BE A SIGN THAT WILL BE SPOKEN AGAINST…SO THAT THE THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS WILL BE REVEALED AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL TOO”. (Luke 2:34-35)
Mary faithfully took care of the Baby Jesus, followed Him wherever He went, and painfully, as the Scripture says, “TREASURED UP ALL THESE THINGS AND PONDERED THEM IN HER HEART.” (Luke 2:19)
MARY LISTENED TO GOD’S COMMANDS AND FAITHFULLY FULFILLED THEM.
8/24/08 WE NEED TO SAY, “I AM SORRY”
It is hard for some of us, if not ALL of us, to say, “I AM SORRY”.
Oh yes, we use the word loosely. When we cut in line or accidentally push someone, we turn and say “Sorry”. Sometimes we do so just to show that we are “polite”.
But how often, when we know that we have hurt someone, by word or by deed, have we gone to the person and acknowledged our wrong doing. Seldom. Why do you think it is hard to say, “I am sorry”. It is hard because it takes humiliation to accept the fact that we are not perfect and that we make mistakes.
Today the message of the Church is REPENTANCE – TO BE SORRY.
Jesus said: “…UNLESS YOU REPENT, YOU WILL ALL PERISH.”
When Jesus said “PERISH”, He meant eternally perish. It is a strong statement.
REPENTANCE not only means to be sorry but also means a change of mind, that is turning from your own way to God’s way. It means a desire to obey God and His Word. It is longing to turn away from your old self and to live a new life in Christ Jesus.
It demands an unconditional submission to your Creator!
The reason I said it is hard to REPENT is, because we have to admit, as the Bible says, that we all have hurt God by our deeds and we have to personally accept it. The Bible says, “WE ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.” (Rom 3:23) and IF WE CLAIM TO BE WITHOUT SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US.” (1John 1:8) What Jesus is saying is, that if we die in our sins without confessing and repenting “WE WILL ALL (ETERNALLY) PERISH.”
BUT THERE IS HOPE AND THERE IS A PROMISE.
The Bible does not leave us in limbo. God has a promise. He says, “IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” (1John 1:9)
This is REPENTANCE: To admit that we all are sinners, to go to God and say to HIM we are sorry, REPENT! And to accept forgiveness.
8/31/08 WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?
A question that so many of us may have never asked and maybe if we have asked, never found an answer.
I know some of you will say that the reason we live, or exist, is to get education, to get married, build a future for our children and grandchildren. That is all well said and done.
Let me ask you another question. Is that all there is in life? To think and plan FOR THIS LIFE ALONE?
According to the Bible, you being on this planet is not an accident. It was planned by God. He formed you in your mother’s womb. (Psalms 139-13). You are alive because God wanted you to be alive. And He did it for a purpose.
God also planned where you’d be born and where you’d live for His purpose. Even your race and nationality are not an accident.
THE QUESTION IS THIS: HAVE YOU EVER FOUND OUT THE REAL REASON AND THE PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE?
In today’s passage, Jesus told the parable of “THE RICH FOOLISH MAN”, not because He was against rich people, NO! Because people often have made their career, position and financial success the purpose and goal of their lives, thus drifting away from the plan God designed for their lives.
In this parable we see how self centered a person can become when his or her fame and wealth became his god; the sole reason for his living. This rich man never saw beyond himself. If you paid attention to the passage you would have noticed how many times this man used the I, me, mine and my pronouns. When this man had “surplus” in his inventory the one thing that never entered into his head was to give thanks go God and to share some of the goods with his neighbor, the needy. His whole attitude was the very reverse of Christianity instead of “Loving his neighbor as himself”, he aggressively affirmed himself.
Not only did he not think of his neighbor, he never thought of life beyond the grave. He was short sighted.
Unfortunately, this “foolish rich man” did not have the joy and the pleasure of sharing his possessions, therefore not only was he a fool, as God called him, but I believe he was also the most miserable and unhappy person on earth with no satisfaction.
9/7/08 OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT
We all know and have acknowledged by now that life is hard and is a battle. The Bible conforms that we struggle in life. Not only against life’s daily problems but against invisible powers that struggle against us to keep us from becoming all that God wants us to become.
Parts of the difficulties in life are: DISCOURAGEMENTS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS
It was advertised that the Devil was putting up for sale all of his tools. On that date the tools were laid out. They had prices marked on them for public inspection and there were a lot of treacherous instruments: hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, pride, lying, and so on. Laid apart from the rest of the Devil’s tools was a harmless looking tool, but it was worn more than any of the others and was priced very high.
“What’s the name of this tool?” asked one of the customers. “That”, the Devil replied, “is discouragement”. “Why have you priced it so high?”
To this the Devil replied; “Because discouragement is more useful to me than all the others. I can pry open and get inside a man’s heart with that when I cannot get near him with any other tool. You see, it’s badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since so few people know it belongs to me.”
Even the most blessed people, the most successful, the most spiritually mature, face constant disappointments and discouragements.
In the Bible we see prophets and saints have one way or another experienced discouragements and disappointments.
How do we handle discouragement, a destructive “tool” that destroys so many lives, families and institutions, even churches?
One thing should be clear, whatever your problem is, there are more people in this church who have that same problem and some of us have more.
WE HAVE TO ADMIT THE FACT THAT LIFE IS HARD!
Today, we are going to study together how to handle disappointment and discouragements, the destructive “tool”. I hope it will be helpful to you.
9/21/08 THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL AND THE FIRST TEACHER, JESUS
“THEN LITTLE CHILDREN WERE BROUGHT TO JESUS FOR HIM TO PLACE HIS HANDS ON THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM. BUT THE DISCIPLES REBUKED THOSE WHO BROUGHT THEM. JESUS SAID, "LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE." (Matt.19:13-14)
Before Jesus’ time not too much attention was given to the children. They were always pushed aside, as did Jesus’ disciples. They were trying to stop the children from coming to Jesus. But our Lord, the great Teacher said, “LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME, AND DO NOT HINDER THEM.”
Today, I am glad to say that our church is once again starting the most important School. The School that unfortunately has been neglected by so many. A school that has been taken for granted and not appreciated enough. Yet, it is a School that builds the child’s character, a school where children will have the opportunity to know God through Scripture and to experience His love.
Today if we want to see our children and grandchildren be blessed by the same Jesus we must then take the responsibility to bring them to Sunday School. We must do this if we want to see our children and grandchildren spiritually, mentally and emotionally healthy and happy. In today’s public schools, prayers and Bible reading are forbidden. When the world is in turmoil and unsafe, the Sunday school is a safe haven for the child.
I thank God for our dedicated Sunday school staff. They are volunteers, as you know. The LOVE OF GOD AND CHILDREN has compelled them to dedicate themselves to this God pleasing Ministry. Today you will witness THE INDUCTION SERVICE for them.
So, let us all work together, help our children get excited to come to Sunday School creating in them the desire to come instead of forcing them to come.
I urge each one of you, parents and grandparents and parishioners to be part of the Sunday School team. Show an interest in what your child and grandchild is learning, by asking him/her questions. Let the home be the continuation of the Sunday school. Help us to build a better Sunday school, it is YOUR school!
Let us all uplift both the teachers and the children in our daily prayers, that God may inspire and strengthen each one and give us all a successful and a blessed year. AMEN! God bless you and our children.
The Armenian Church, and other Apostolic churches, recognize the same feasts connected with the Holy Cross, and observe them at about the same time. They are: Discovery of the Cross, Apparition of the Cross, and Exaltation of the Cross.
However, the Armenian Church has its own, unique feast dedicated to the Cross, it belongs only to the Armenian people. Its nature is similar to that of the Apparition of the Cross, but different in that the appearance was not over the heights of Jerusalem, but over the heights in the vicinity of the city of Van.
It was “The Apparition of the Holy Cross” in Armenia!
The feast is called “Ton Varage Sro Khachi”(Fease of the Holy Cross of Varag), marking the appearance of the Cross over the mountains of Varag.
The Armenian people had suffered materially in the Perso-Byrantine wars. The military successes of the new Arab power had laid much of the land to waste, and shed much blood.
It was in this widespread sad situation that the Light of Hope, Faith, and new Spiritual Power miraculously dawned over the Armenian world, emanating from the Varag Moutains of Van.
The hermit Todik, exalted in his prayers, suddenly saw a miraculous light in the shape of a cross, which illuminated the summit of the mountain, as by the sun, and produced twelve luminous columns.
Todik, taking with him his pupil Hovel, went to the light. But a little later the illumination moved majestically toward the Varag Vank and settled on the altar.
Todik and Hovel went to the monastery. They entered the chapel and there they saw at the base of the illumination, the fragment of the Holy Cross, resting on the altar.
There was no doubt in the hermit’s mind that that was the fragment of the Cross deposited there by St. Hripsime, because the ray of light had first rested on the Galilee mountain where in one of its caves the sacred fragment had been hidden. It was the miraculous light that had revealed the hidden relic.
Here we must mention the fact that being in the presence of the Holy Cross has always been the primary desire of hermits. To have found it and to have access to it has been their supreme dream and personal grace.
It was in about the same time frame that the Hripsimians and their holiness had been the subject of special attention on the part of the masses of people. The Catholicos Komitas (615-628) had not only rebuilt the Church of St. Hripsime, but he had also opened the caskets of the martyred maidens, confirmed the reality of the remains contained in them, and once again sealed them to protect them against the ravages of time for centuries to come.
And with the miracle of the Cross of Varag, the fragment of the Holy Cross had found its proper place.
The miraculous illumination persisted for twelve days. The faithful came in droves from far-off places to view the miracle of the revelation of the Holy Cross of Varage.
Word had been sent to the Catholicos at the time, Nerses III Shinogh (Builder) who, despite his extreme preoccupation and deep concern over the political situation, came with the son Vard of the Prime Minister of the Rushtuni lineage to the site of the revelation, to share his prayers of joy and comfort with the people.
The Catholicos Nerses III Shinogh, enthralled with the Cross and its revelation, composed the magnificent sharakan, “Nshanav Amenahaght Khachivd…” (Through the Sign of Your All-Conquering Cross…), and consecrated the hallowed revelation. He prescribed a week’s abstinence and prayer, and ordained a yearly celebration of the revelation of the Cross.
10/5/08 BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR MONEY
How can money – or the lack of it – hinder spiritual growth?
Strangely enough, having too much money or too little money results in basically the same problems, and both can hinder spiritual growth. As Agur, a writer in Proverbs, so aptly put it, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8,9). Whether you have money to blow or barely enough to live on, both can result in the following:
1. Money becomes the center and focus of your life. It can become an idol. When you have much, you realize its power in our world. When you have little, your concern or worry over it can become paramount over faith in God himself.
2. Money is seen idealistically. With lots of money, you feel yourself with extreme power – though that power rests on a very shaky foundation. With very little money, you tend to think that a few bucks will solve all your problems.
3. Money becomes an obsession. Those who have much constantly want more. Those who don’t have enough constantly want more too.
4. Money causes worry. When you’re wealthy, you worry about losing your wealth, being used for it, or being robbed or cheated out of it. When you have no money, you worry about how to get and pay for all that you need and want.
5. Money changes your attitudes. Wealth causes many to become suspicious, stingy, and Scrooge-like. On the other hand, lack of money can cause jealousy and resentment of the wealthy, and an overly stingy attitude out of habit.
6. Money changes your priorities. When money gets the better of you, whether rich or poor, it can make you love things and use people. Just the opposite of what God intended. It can make you focus on your earthly treasure, which is temporary, while forgetting your real goal: treasure in heaven.
But money, or the lack of it, need not hinder spiritual growth. The secret is to learn contentment. Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil 4:12) When we learn to be thankful for our daily bread (not worrying about what we’ll eat tomorrow), when we learn that this world and its riches or problems are temporary, then we have learned the secret of contentment whether we are rich or struggling.
Money is not bad in itself; it is the love of money that causes all the trouble. When you discover that you are thinking more about money than about your family, your own peacefulness, or God, then money has begun to control you and will hinder your spiritual growth. It has become your real god. When you love God and trust him to care for you every day whether your treasure is great of small, then you have money in the right perspective and you will continue to grow. And as you grow, you will learn how to use the large or small amount God has given to you in order to glorify him.
Your treasure will not be where your heart is; the Bible says that your heart will be where your treasure is.
10/12/08 THE ONE THING WE ALL NEED
A couple of weeks ago while talking to my fellow clergy, during our conversation, he asked me a question which is very common and which so many people have asked me before. “HOW CAN A PERSON BE SAVED?”
We both agreed that we cannot be saved by our good deeds, or simply going to church, or being a priest. Neither can giving money to the church or to charities save us. Then the question comes, as the rich, young man is asking in today’s Scripture: “WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?” (Mark 10:17)
Some people say because we are born into a Christian family and are baptized that gives us the right to inherit eternal life. Some adhere to their denomination, thinking that their denomination will automatically take them to heaven.
When it comes to eternal life we better not turn to any source or idea except the Bible. The Bible has the last say. Let’s not forget, “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man (and the woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Tim. 3:16-17) We must subordinate our thoughts and inclinations to the authority of the Word of God.
And, the Bible tells us that faith and trust in Jesus, who was crucified for us, is very important for our salvation. Faith means a personal trust-dependence not on what we do or have done, but on what God has done through Jesus Christ on the cross.
The second thing that makes us sure of having eternal life is, GOD’S GRACE. Faith in God is the response to God’s grace.
As Christians we no longer see ourselves as good people. As Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) We have to see ourselves as people who have broken God’s commandments, therefore we all deserve judgment. BUT IT IS THE GRACE OF GOD (though we don’t deserve it) that saves us from our sins and gives us eternal life. “For by such grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God 9and not the result of works, lest anyone boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
In today’s passage, the rich young man thought that he could “buy” eternal life with his money, Jesus told him to get rid of that idol- money and follow Him. Unfortunately the young man did not, the Scripture says, “[his] face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:22)
Today it may not be wealth, but other obstacles that hinder us from coming to Christ.
10/19/08
FAITH - WHAT IS IT REALLY?
A week ago I was studying the Gospel according to Mark where when Jesus did not
find fruit on the fig tree He cursed it and the tree withered. The disciples of
course, were surprised. Jesus noticed their astonishment He said, “Have faith in
God. I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received
it, and it will be given.” (Mark11: 23-24) (Italics are mine)
Many times you have heard me preach on faith, but what really faith is? We find the definition of faith in the book of Hebrews chapter (11: 1)
“Now faith is the assurance of things we hope for, the certainty of things we cannot see.”
Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning of faith believes in God’s character-He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promise-HE WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS.
Jesus had a great deal to say about faith. He healed those who had it. (Mk. 2:5) and He rebuked those who did not have it. (Mt. 6:30)
For the Christian faith is a necessity. God requires it and He provides to those who ask.
Faith, which also means trust, which is needed for our salvation. It is not a blind leap into the dark; rather it is standing on God’s promise. Faith gives us assurance of the love and compassion of God. We must come to God in faith and we can’t please God if we don’t have faith and trust in Him. “It is impossible to please God without faith.” (Heb.11: 6)
Having faith in God and trusting in Jesus Christ we will get guidance when we are lost, perplexed and confused. To have faith in God requires humility and obedience. That means you are stripping yourself of your strength and trusting the Lord for your salvation. When the circumstances are not favorable and pleasant we have to humbly go to God and submit ourselves to His will.
Having faith in God does not mean life free of troubles and tribulations, rather clinging to His promises. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me…”(Ps.23: 4)
Saints experienced suffering, until now some Christians who do not deny Christ are tortured. They died but did not lose their trust in God.
Today where have you put your faith and trust? On your youth? On your wealth? Or on your position? All the above will soon pass away, but whoever does the will of God will live forever.
“He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that obeys not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
10/26/08 DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS (KIUT KHACH)
I just want to tell you briefly about one of the feasts that the Armenian church observes. THE DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS.
The emperor Consantine’s mother, St. Helene, in 326A.D. went as the mother of the Emperor to Jerusalem to look for the Cross that Christ was crucified on.
She found three crosses in the pit. Of course it was difficult to identify, which cross was the cross that Jesus was crucified on.
As tradition has it, a young lad who had just died, was asked to bring his body and he was placed on each of the crosses. When the body came to life on contact with one of the crosses, it was taken to identify the true Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was told that a Jewish scholar witnessing this miracle embraced Christianity. Later he devoted himself preaching the crucified Christ and became the famous Bishop Cyril.
On that special occasion, Christian churches were given a small relic fragment of that Cross. We have the fragment in Etchmiadzeen, Armenia.
Yes, so many of us, like Jews, still do not accept the fact that the Cross of Jesus is the means to salvation and is the power of God.
Paul writes: “JEWS DEMAND MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND GREEKS LOOK FOR WISDOM, BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED.”
We must never think that the early church was entirely composed of nonintellectuals. Read please, Acts 13:6-12, 17:34 and Romans 16:23 and you will find out that very noble people became Christians.
Paul the Apostle was the most educated, intellectual, well known scholar, yet he said:
“WHATEVER WAS TO MY PROFIT I NOW CONSIDER LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST…I CONSIDER THEM RUBBISH, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN HIM.” Eph 3:7-8
WHAT ABOUT US? WHERE DO WE STAND IN ACCEPTING THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST?
11/2/08 BE A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN
I don’t have to remind you that it is time again to VOTE.
For months now we have been hearing candidates asking for our votes. I am sure, if you are like me, you don’t believe they will fulfill all the promises they made. You may ask what difference can one vote do? The country is full of problems morally, economically and spiritually. What can one insignificant person like me do to help solve these problems? I have always said, there are no insignificant persons for God. Though there are billions of people living right now and billions of others who have gone before, YOU ARE STILL SPECIAL TO GOD. If you were the only person on this planet, Jesus would have come just FOR YOU!
Most of us are quick to criticize. We criticize the government, the school system and the church, but very few of us take action to make a difference.
Voting is one way we can make a difference. I know you may say, “But Der Hayr, which one should I trust?” Each one of us has some values in our lives, and we have to cast our vote according to our values. We are privileged in this country to be able to choose. We need to exercise this privilege and vote.
Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Matt 22:21) And Paul the Apostle says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peacefully and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleased God our Savior.” (1Tim 2:1-3) “Everyone must submit himself (or herself) to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom 13:1)
You may wonder how God can establish an authority that is evil? (I am not talking about this Country) Don’t worry, God knows His business.
If we don’t take a stand and vote we actually are taking a stand by allowing “others” to make their point and win. If we do so and things go wrong then we have no right to criticize or complain.
When there are clear-cut moral issues, Christians are obligated to become involved. In spite of the fact that we won’t always agree with each other on every issue, but I believe as Christians we need to get involved in some ways in politics, at least by voting, or even in running for political office. If good people don’t get involved in running the government, then evil people will. It’s not going to do us any good to complain and curse the darkness; we have to be the lights of the world, as Jesus said.
So, let’s go and vote for the persons and for the issues that will bring glory to God and are the best for our Country.
11/9/08 BACK TO THE BASICS PART II (Faith)
Faith is something either we have or we don’t have it. Some of us we think we have, yet our lifestyle does not show that.
Faith is not something that we were born with; it is something we grow in.
Paul says, “…Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) As you get knowledge by reading books, so you will get faith by reading the Bible and listening to the messages.
We have to be careful; some of us think that if we believe in God that means everything should go right and smooth, without any problems. That is not the case. Biblical characters, saints and apostles believed and trusted in God yet they were not spared hardship and torture.
The Bible says, “[Some] were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated.” (Heb.11:35-37)
Believing in God does not mean the absence of danger, But to be faithful and obedience to the infallible promise of God.
On the other hand, doubt that involves asking questions is not forbidden. In fact, the Bible encourages it. David had doubts and questions. Doubt is the material we feed in at one end, then we test our doubt by obeying God and trusting His Word, and suddenly our doubt turns to confidence in God and thus our faith will be restored.
This process is necessary all through our life. Day by day we must read His Word and obey God and do His command in spite of what people around us encourage us to do. As we do this we realize that God has never failed us, and we begin to develop more and more confidence in Him.
11/16/08 FAITH CAN BE NURTURED OR LOST
This will be the third Sunday I have been preaching on FAITH. We must have FAITH in order to please God. We must have GOD PLEASING FAITH. FAITH is something we have to nurture and grow in.
Today I am going to talk on FAITH that we can lose.
Our forefathers gave up their lives and did not give up their FAITH. They knew that giving up FAITH meant giving up their eternal life. Through FAITH they were sure and certain that God had planned something better for them.
The person who has real FAITH he/she puts his/her trust in God. He/she does not depend on his/her good deeds. We must believe that if God loved us enough to save us, He will also love us to provide our daily spiritual, physical and financial needs. But too often we are like Peter walking on the water. We have the initial faith when we hear His Word, but when we face troubles and tribulation, and begin to see the water around us; we take our eyes off Him and put them on our own provision in the crisis.
If we want to have a strong FAITH we MUST nurture it daily, just like we nurture our body daily. That is why coming to church and hearing the message and having fellowship with other believers is a MUST!
FAITH also has a maturing aspect, it grows by using it. I you want to grow in your FAITH, you exercise your FAITH; you must put it into practice. You must learn to say, “ I take another step of FAITH, and I see that this God I serve is trustworthy. I can trust Him by FAITH, because He will do what He has promised to do.”
James asks a question, “Do you believe in God? Then show me your FAITH by your lifestyle.”
Our FAITH must focus on God through Jesus Christ, His Son. We need to understand that this FAITH is in the God of creation, the God of provision and the God who loves us and sustains us. So when we recognize that and keep our faith in God, then the FAITH itself will grow and mature.
Some time troubles will cause us to have FAITH and to grow in it. But, as I said, if we focus our eyes on our troubles, as Peter did, we will loose what we have.
May God help us not only to have a mere FAITH, but grow in our FAITH by constantly trusting in HIM AMEN!
11/23/08 ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE, GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME. (Psalms 100:4)
How many of us who receive blessings from God give Him thanks? If you consider the ten lepers (please, read Luke 17:11-19) healed be Jesus Christ, we could say, only ten percent. I hope that we belong to that ten percent of those who thank God for all the mercies and blessings He has showered upon us throughout our lives.
Thanksgiving to God flows out in abundance only from the heart of a Christian who is intimate with God through Jesus Christ. No unbeliever will thank God; rather, it is his nature to credit everything to himself or herself. The Apostle Paul speaks about such people in Romans 1:21 “For though they know God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him.”
Consider the story of Israel. God delivered them from Egyptian bondage, yet we are told that they were filled with a grumbling spirit. Ten times they murmured against their Redeemer, and we are warned not to repeat their ungrateful practices. Thanksgiving to God proves that you and I belong to God and acknowledge His goodness.
What, then, is this Thanksgiving, which we are to render continually? It is grateful acknowledgment of benefits received. We are to acknowledge and thank God, primarily, but we should also thank others, because God also uses secondary agents to bring blessings to us.
A true Christian will always thank God. Thanksgiving for the Christian is like breathing. How could we survive if we only breathed just once in a year? So we must thank God when things are going well, as well as when we go through hardship and face troubles, ”FOR WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” (Rom. 8:28)
Let us pray that the God of all goodness teach us to be always grateful and thankful in every circumstance. AMEN!
11/30/08 FAITH - IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE (PART IV)
This will be my fourth and last in the series on the subject FAITH.
As I have said before, FAITH is like one of our senses. No matter what we do in this world for God, for humanity and for His church, the Apostle says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb.11: 6)
Faith and trust go hand in hand. We cannot say we believe in God, yet when we are in trouble not trust Him to solve our problems.
One thing we should remember is that FAITH requires sacrifice. As you can see in today’s Scripture that many saints when the enemy forced them to deny their FAITH, instead, gave up their lives and not their FAITH.
“They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Heb.11: 37-40)
Trusting FAITH looks beyond the world of sight. If we compare what the eye of sight sees to what the eyes of FAITH sees, we will have a different perspective in this life. Our attitude will be like Job’s attitude, “Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him.” (Job13: 15)
FAITH goes beyond reason. Growing FAITH means growing in our trust in God. As we grow in FAITH, we gain more and more reasons to trust God. FAITH permits God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, such as receiving forgiveness for our sins and assurance of eternal life. If today you are not sure of your eternal destiny it is because you have not totally trusted in God. John the apostle says, “We know that we have passed from death to life…” (I John 3:4) Do you know if you have passed from eternal destruction into eternal life?
Let’s not forget,
“…FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE. THIS IS WHAT THE ANCIENTS WERE COMMENDED FOR. (Heb.12:1-2)
12/14/08 What is the Christmas Spirit Anyway?
A Lesson in Catching the Christmas Spirit, read the article headline in our local newspaper. In the piece the columnist, Bill Johnson, explained that he was engaged in a pilgrimage of the heart, searching for that elusive destination, the true Christmas spirit, and was inviting his readers to join him on his journey. He began in what he felt would be the epicenter of Christmas spirit, a Christmas tree lot. “Christmas tree lost, by their very nature, are hotbeds of Christmas spirit” he wrote. “Nobody goes there if they don’t have it. So I went to one in Tustin hoping that some would rub off.” But, alas, the only people he found there were several mortgage bankers trying to find a tree for their office.
So he decided to visit Santa in the mall. After all, “if he can’t get you in the spirit, nobody can.” On the way however, he encountered a festively dressed family and figured they must have the Christmas spirit. When he asked them the question, the mother said, “Let’s see, yesterday we put up the tree, put the lights on the house, and played all of our Christmas CD’s and albums a million times. I’d say we have the Christmas spirit.” Sound familiar?
While this family hurried off to buy Christmas earrings that light up, Bill went off to find Santa. When he saw all the children in line, eagerly waiting for their chance to meet the bearded gentleman from the North Pole, Bill thought, This is what Christmas is about. But still, something didn’t feel right. So he asked the woman at the mall’s information desk, “Where might I find the Christmas spirit?”
“It’s in your heart,” she said, barely glancing up. “It feels warm and glowy, like a mother’s love for her child. You can’t buy it at any store here, and you can’t get it from anybody else. It’s in there,” she said, pointing to his chest. “It’s in your heart.”
Conventional wisdom agrees that the Christmas spirit is inside of us somehow, in some way. We just have to find it, or rediscover it. It is a warm and glowy feeling that finally hits us when…when…ah, there’s a rub, isn’t it?”
Each year as Thanksgiving ushers in the big buildup to Christmas, many seek to outshine and out dazzle their neighbors. More lights, more ornaments, a bigger tree, flashing lights and moving figurines. The more decorations the greater the Christmas spirit, or so it appears. But despite the greatest decorating efforts, many know, deep inside, that there should be more – or less.
12/28/08 WHY CHRISTMAS IS NOT A MERE HOLIDAY?
Christmas is the biggest celebration but overseas the big Holiday is Easter. We used to celebrate for almost 40 days by going to church, visiting each other’s homes, exchanging gifts.
Why should we insist that Christmas is not a mere holiday rather IT IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? Because Christmas tells us ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD. I am afraid that the merchants are pushing their product so much that so many of us are loosing the real meaning of Christmas.
First and foremost Christmas is a time to think and ponder over the love of God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The whole purpose of celebrating Christmas is to appreciate the greatest Gift God ever gave to human beings, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST!
There was no better way for God to have shown His love and compassion toward us than giving the most precious Gift, His Son.
The Scripture says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2) God’s eager desire and wish is to talk to us and to have fellowship with us, and He did that in past through prophets but He was not satisfied by that. He wanted to make a direct communication though His Son Jesus.
The Bible tells us that God is love. Love is God’s very nature and character. You don’t have to be good to earn the love of God. Regardless of your behavior God still unconditionally loves you.
This is why God created everything for you in order to enjoy them. Everything you see and many things you don’t see God created just for you. Some one has said, ” There is nothing you can do that will make God stop loving you. You could try, but would fail-because God’s love for you is based on His character, not your conduct. It’s based on who He is, not what you’ve done.”
Next time when you see a picture or a statue of Christ on the cross, His arms stretched out; Jesus is telling you “I love you this much.”
Let’s pray that as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus may we get the taste of the love of God by giving Him room in our heart and lives.