Thursday, December 18, 2008
Follow-Up Class for Freshers Ended!
Special Bible class for freshers was opened last week at Yangon Christian Church. The first round of this Bible class, which begun Monday of last week and ended this Tuesday, was led by Rev David Mung (Pastor Thangsan). Out of thirty five applicants, only twelve were selected for this special class. Major topics, such as the truthfulness of the Bible as the Word of God, the meaningful existence of God the creator, the tragedic experience of human fall, the umeritted grace of God in Jesus Christ that excludes the big "I", and such were discussed. Thanks be to God for bringing this first round to finally end this Tuesday.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Life Under the Anoiting of the Holy Spirit!
This is an abstract of recent seminar given by Rev Thangsan (Pastor David Mung) during December 1-5.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Introduction
In order to understand about the anoiting of the Holy Spirit and experience it, a correct understanding of the person of the Holy Spirit is the must. In another sense, it is of course a life living under the Holy Spirit itself. The Holy Spirit is not just a power but the third person of the Holy Trinity, therefore, is God, who represents the perfect nature of divine life, power, and holiness. And also, is the Holy Spirit person, therefore, needs proper treatment or relationship as a person. Further, the Holy Spirit was sent to be another comforter of the same kind like Jesus Christ and is here with us in the church, the body of Christ, to represent the presence of Jesus Christ and bring testimony about His lordship.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Law of Spiritual Replacement
As a first step, the anoiting of the Holy Spirit means to change our life-style--from a life that lives by its own (own strength, human power, education, etc.) to a life that lives only by God's strength. Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, represents the holy presence of God and His power (and wisdom) as he indwells in us when we beleives Jesus Christ. However, until we let the Master to take control of our whole lives, we're still living on our own, driven by our own self-motivation. This is the call of John the Baptist to let the Lord take the stage and let ourselves recede behind the curtain. So, we say, "Take a recess for this spiritual replacement."
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Learn from Teacher Divine
Jesus said that another comforter, but of the same kind with he himself, is coming forth on his behalf in John 14. Further, he made sure that his going is better less the comforter, teacher divine, would not come, meaning that the coming of the another comforter, the Holy Spirit, is a much more better option for the disciple even better than his own physical presence among them. The reason is that he, the another comforter, will teach what Jesus couldn't do for them as their teacher while in a limited human body. This simply indicates that we have two kinds of teacher: human teacher who can help our intellectual growth externally by giving us neccessary information and teacher divine who can help our personal growth inwardly by igniting God's power in our life. Honestly speaking, we need both but we miss the later so often. So, we say, "learn from the teacher divine also," who teaches from within. This is the only option to live a life living under God's power, anointing power.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Follow His Own Style
We have our own style. God has his own style--way, will and purpose. In order to maintain God's anoiting power in our life, we have to follow His style. For power is not our own! It's God's that we have just a special priviledge to exert it in His name. However, as we grow in learning His own style, we will know that the only secret to maintain God's empowering presence in our lives is to live after the footstep of Jesus Christ, a way down to Calvary. As Paul confessed, trodding the way of the cross is the way to more power and grace, so said he that he would rather boast not about his sucess but about the cross of Jesus Christ instead (2 Cor. 12-13; cf., 1 Cor. 2:2).
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Introduction
In order to understand about the anoiting of the Holy Spirit and experience it, a correct understanding of the person of the Holy Spirit is the must. In another sense, it is of course a life living under the Holy Spirit itself. The Holy Spirit is not just a power but the third person of the Holy Trinity, therefore, is God, who represents the perfect nature of divine life, power, and holiness. And also, is the Holy Spirit person, therefore, needs proper treatment or relationship as a person. Further, the Holy Spirit was sent to be another comforter of the same kind like Jesus Christ and is here with us in the church, the body of Christ, to represent the presence of Jesus Christ and bring testimony about His lordship.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Law of Spiritual Replacement
As a first step, the anoiting of the Holy Spirit means to change our life-style--from a life that lives by its own (own strength, human power, education, etc.) to a life that lives only by God's strength. Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, represents the holy presence of God and His power (and wisdom) as he indwells in us when we beleives Jesus Christ. However, until we let the Master to take control of our whole lives, we're still living on our own, driven by our own self-motivation. This is the call of John the Baptist to let the Lord take the stage and let ourselves recede behind the curtain. So, we say, "Take a recess for this spiritual replacement."
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Learn from Teacher Divine
Jesus said that another comforter, but of the same kind with he himself, is coming forth on his behalf in John 14. Further, he made sure that his going is better less the comforter, teacher divine, would not come, meaning that the coming of the another comforter, the Holy Spirit, is a much more better option for the disciple even better than his own physical presence among them. The reason is that he, the another comforter, will teach what Jesus couldn't do for them as their teacher while in a limited human body. This simply indicates that we have two kinds of teacher: human teacher who can help our intellectual growth externally by giving us neccessary information and teacher divine who can help our personal growth inwardly by igniting God's power in our life. Honestly speaking, we need both but we miss the later so often. So, we say, "learn from the teacher divine also," who teaches from within. This is the only option to live a life living under God's power, anointing power.
Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Follow His Own Style
We have our own style. God has his own style--way, will and purpose. In order to maintain God's anoiting power in our life, we have to follow His style. For power is not our own! It's God's that we have just a special priviledge to exert it in His name. However, as we grow in learning His own style, we will know that the only secret to maintain God's empowering presence in our lives is to live after the footstep of Jesus Christ, a way down to Calvary. As Paul confessed, trodding the way of the cross is the way to more power and grace, so said he that he would rather boast not about his sucess but about the cross of Jesus Christ instead (2 Cor. 12-13; cf., 1 Cor. 2:2).
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