The necessity of Daily Christ Experience : Message by Tony Varghese

Yesterday's Yuvajana Sakhyam Meeting was handled by Mr. Tony Varghese, student of Gurkul Theological College. You can find the details of the same below.

St. John 21:1-6

Greetings to you in the name of triune God.

After the resurrection Jesus appeared to disciples many times. This is one among those events. The central message of the read passage was the restoration or reinstallation of the disciples. But today I would like to focus on a message that is related to our personal spiritual life. We are very familiar with social perspective of the gospel, like justice, marginalized, violence and so on. But what about our spiritual life? Today I would like to share three points that related to our personal spiritual life from this passage. These points start with the English alphabet D. So I would like to call 3D's.  

1.      The necessity of Daily Christ Experience.

The disciples followed Him with great enthusiasm and they were great leaders when Jesus was alive. They expected a new king and kingdom, but their hopes were shattered. The second verse says that Simon Peter and 6 other disciples have gathered. This verse shows the situation of the disciples after the death of Jesus Christ. They were in a condition of nowhere. Now they were in confusion, didn't know what to do. So Peter finds a solution, verse 3 says "Simon Peter told them I am going out to fish". They replied "we are also coming". This same Peter, as we know once declared his faith by saying about Jesus that "You are the Christ, Son of the living God". And even Jesus affirmed it. But here we can say that he became the reason for the resignation of faith of other disciples. As we know they have had the resurrected Christ in their life. In the last chapter it is mentioned and Thomas had a direct and different experience.  But lack of His presence led them to resign their faith. They forgot the rich experience they got when they were with Jesus; they have forgotten the words and commands of Jesus, now they were in their old way. So what is the reason for that? It was the lacking of Christ experience or lack of experiencing Christ's presence with them. They could not realize the presence of Christ with them. Therefore living in the way of Christ, needs a daily experience. That they missed in this incident. The early missionaries had the personal Christ experience that led them to India and elsewhere.

            Today's context, we may have lot of excuses to avoid it, busy schedule, busy classes and assignments and so on but that may lead us to wrong directions. St. Luke 5 says Jesus called Peter from his boat, here it says Peter went back to the boat and they left (V.3). He was returning to the old place from where Jesus has called him to be catchers of human. Resigning the rich faith once they had. The daily Christ experience will enrich us to be in his path and ways, which will lead us to depend on his ways and directions. I feel that the so called Christian community is lacking it to some extent.

 

2.      The necessity of Depending Christ directions/ways.           

In this incident the disciples were on their way to catch fish. As we know they were good in fishing and they know the pattern and secrets of the sea. They were in a high expectation. They have worked hard for a heavy result. But the end result was failure. Here comes the question of Jesus. What you have? A group of strong disciples went with their own directions and presuppositions had the answer no. We don't have anything. Jesus showed them the right direction and said to throw net on the right side. The result was amazing. They have worked the whole night as the passage says, didn't get anything, why? Because something was missing in their attempt. For them the direction to throw the net was missing. Many a times we may think that we can do great things. But without the real directions and ways that to be revealed by Jesus you may be a failure. Understanding the direction/ways of Jesus Christ and depending on his directions will give you new experiences in life. So it is said that 'a little push in the right direction can make a big difference'.

            Dear beloveds in Christ who is fixing our directions? Most of the time we used to ascribe our direction as Christ's directions.  Christ's directions and ways may be different to ours. Only through the daily Christ experience we could understand the directions that may demand us to risk our life. Best example is Jesus, he said in his prayer at Gethsemane, "Not my will, but your will". For David Brainerd it was something different. His mission was among the red Indians and most of them were suffering TB. Once some journalists tried to find him in the forest. They enquired where we can see him. One person replied you go this way. You will see the spitting of blood on the way. Then you follow that blood mark you can find him. So he got the nick name blood spitting Red Indian Missionary. So walking and working according to the directions of Christ is risky but that is what Jesus demands. When you depend on Jesus' direction you will be able to work diligently in Christ's way.

3.      The necessity of Diligence in Christ's call.

            The word diligence means persistent in effort or work. V.3 says "that night they caught nothing". They were on the sea for whole night. Here Jesus was asking them to work more or to try again. He knew that they were tired; he knew that they were disappointed; he knew that they were failed completely, but he wants them to try again. He needs our participation to fulfill his purpose and mission. At times when we are failed it may give us pain and disappointment, but Jesus says why don't you try again? If you walk according to my direction I am with you. Diligence or persistence is necessary in Christ's call. It is said that 'there is an island of opportunity in the middle of every difficulty'.

            E.g. we all know about African Great Missionary David Livingston. He died on 1873 at the age of 60. His dead body was found in his bed room but not in the bed. It was found beside his bed in the praying posture on his knees. But from the bed they got a slip of paper. It was written on it as this "My Jesus, my king, my life and all, to thee again I dedicate myself". For Livingston everyday was another day to serve and grow. He was not tired or lazy in the last minute also, thinking, what to do for his Lord. Jesus is asking today do you have that type of diligence in your commitment. We have to analyze in our life.

Conclusion

Dear beloved in Christ, I hope you will remember these 3 D's always. The necessities of Daily Christ Experience, Depending Christ Directions and Diligence in Christ's call in our life.  When we have daily Christ experience which will lead us to the directions of Christ and make us diligent to his call. Let us submit our life to our Jesus so that we may walk in his way and directions to fulfill his just mission. Somebody said it is like this "A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first one step". Let us start our journey by rearranging our personal spiritual life. May the Almighty bless us with these words. Amen.

Youth Retreat : Youth & Family - Rev. V. M. Mathew

We had 28 members attending the one day Youth Retreat organized by the St Paul's Yuvajana Sakhyam on Jan 26th - Republic Day - at Scripture Union, ECR, Chennai. We started off from church after breakfast at around 7:30 AM.

Main speaker for the meeting was Rev. V. M Mathew with Rev. Gigy Thomas presiding over the outing.

Rev. Gigy Thomas gave the Presidential address. calling the Youth to have a sense of belonging and spirituality. He asked the Youth to understand the context we live in and should learn to share resources, skills and give! He asked the youth to live for God's glory.

Rev. V M Mathew talked to the Youth on Youth and Family. The day was split in to three sessions. Session 1 & 2 were on Bible study. Session 3 was for games and interaction.

We started off with Mr. Thomas Mathew (Tom) First year student of Gurukul Seminary leading us with some beautiful songs.

Session I
Started of by reading from Judges Chapter 14-16 and Samuel  1-3.

The main theme was how God worked in the families of Samson and Samuel. Some of the highlights :
Samuel followed the vow made by his mother on he being dedicated as a Nazerite to God.
Samule lived in the presence of the Lord always. Followed the Nazrite vow deligently.


Samson broke the Nazerite vow of keeping away from wine, dead (sin), growing their hair - Read more about it in Numbers 6. Samson also did not know when the Lord's presence left him when his hair was shaved.  Samson also lived in his own comfort and was not fully obediently to God's will.


In general we see that Samuel was able to transform God's blessings to him for God's glory.
God has blessed us in many ways. He gave us good homes, jobs, safe place to live, education etc. Are we able to transform these blessings for God's glory ? Achen called upon the youth to live lives that are pleasing in God's sight.


Session II : was dedicated on Family. He talked about the importance of Family in the life of the Youth.

Family values thrive on dependency on one another. However the modern way of life individual mobile phones, bed rooms etc encourage individualism. We need to keep the basics of family in our minds and maintain our relationships well.

Two types of families - Functional and Dys-Functional.

Functional Families - Have positive aspects and are non-judgemental. Each member is accepted as is. There is also a free operation of various roles like child, father, mother etc. There is also healthy attachment and deattachment. Family needs love, care, support.

Family life can be better if each other accepts the possibilities and difficulties that come in each others life. Success syndrome is also one reason for the failure of married life. We should learn to accept failures too as that has an impact on our personal relationships too.

Family of Jesus was an epitome of relationship and the relationship between Joseph and Mary was based on obedience to God.

He also called up the youth to have a responsible relationship. Especially with parents when they are old. Have respect for parents and old people. He emphasized on the need for the need for basic communication in the family.

Session three had games organized by Christo, Jerin and Biju. We started back to church at 4:45 pm.

Overall the outing was a blesssing for all who attended and brought more fellowship among the youth members.

Marthoma Convention Chennai Center Youth Meeting - Jan 7th 2012

The 14th Annual Chennai Center Marthoma Convention for the Youth was held on Jan 7th 2012. The main speaker for the meeting was the Rev. P. P. Thomas, Professor of Old Testament, Bishop's College, Kolkata.
Rev. P P Thomas played different roles prior to being a Professor. He was the Bishop's secretary, involved with the Dharma Jyoti Theological Collecge, School Manager Institute of Deaf & Dumb Kasargod.


The main theme:
Diagnose your-self and see if you have an unclean spirit?

Mark 5:1-20
The current way of life has deteriorated in terms of integrity and pays more focus on efficiency. There is also lesser interaction and relationship between people. Achen asked the youth to look in to one self.

In the sermon, he talked about the characteristics of the person with an unclean spirit in the above Bible portion and check if there are similarlities in our own lives!


The person with an Unclean spirit was living in a tomb. There no one talks to each other. Do we talk to our neighbours in our flats ? If not, we must examine ourself and see if we are living in tombs ! People who do not want to connect with others are like the dead.

Luke 8:27.  When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

The unclean spirit was not dressed properly. Are we scantily clad and is our dressing pleasing in the sight of the Lord. Are we dressed like this unclean spirit filled man ? Remember we dress for others, so modest  dressing is important in our culture.



The man with the unclean spirit could not be tamed.He was having an uncontrollable personality.
We must make sure as youth we do not behave like that to our parents. Teenage is a time when there is more rebellion. However we should understand that our parents know better and are doing things for our good.


The unclean spirit was torturing/destroying the body of the man. Are we addicted to alcohol/ tobacco that kills the body ?
At each step of the above, examine yourself and see if you similarities of an unclean spirit.

The unclean spirit was called Legion  Mark 5:9 which is like a Roman battalion. Do we have a split personality? Do we  behave differently in church and at home and in school?


When you have a confrontation with Jesus a person with an unclean spirit will be cleansed. Our life will change dramatically. Achen called upon the Yuvajana Sakhyam members to be missionaries in our own work places and in the church by bringing our own youths to church. Whatever context we live in, we have our opportunities to bring glory to God. Lets use those opportunities.

Rev. P. P. Thomas

Rev. Biji Mathew, President Chennai Center Yuvajana Sakhyam

Jan 26th Yuvajana Sakhyam Youth Retreat at Scripture Union Campus, ECR

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,  "I find no pleasure in them"   - Ecclesiastes 12:1

Adyar St.Paul's Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam's retreat will  be on Thursday (26th Jan 2012). 

We will start from at 7.00 AM from Church. So please be present at 6.45 AM. Breakfast will be arranged in church.

There will be a registration fee of Rs. 200 per head to cover food and transportation expenses.

I invite you all  to be part of this event and make use of this opportunity to listen to the word of God. As part of this event we have arranged games and activities which will help you build friends along the way.

Please make use of this great opportunity and be blessed.

You are welcome to bring your friends and any family members. However please remember to enroll your name in advance.

See you on Thursday morning :-)

--
Thanks,

SPMC YS, Adyar

Registration of our Yuvajana Sakhyam

Friends,

Its that time of the year we have to prepare a list of members to be registered with the St Paul's Marthoma Yuvajana Sakhyam Adyar. We have compiled an initially list and was published in church.

This is for your information. Please contact the Yuvajana Sakhyam Secretary or the President (Vicar) for details.

If we do not get any other comments we will go ahead with publishing without furthur notice. 


Thanks,

Biju.

SPMC YS.

Convention Day One : Marthoma Convention Chennai Center 2012

Inaugural day of the 14th Annual Chennai Centre Marthoma Convention held at St.Paul's Mar Thoma Church, Adyar on 6th Jan 2012 at 6:30 PM.

 

The convention was presided over by Rt. Rev Dr. Isaac mar Philixinos Thirumeni

 

Guest Speaker: Rev Dr. P.P. Thomas of Bishop's College, Kolkata,

 

The Convention was attended by all Vicar's of the various Marthoma Churches in Chennai & members from all the Marthoma parishes across Chennai. The following is a list of Achens who attended :

Rev. Gigy Thomas (Vicar St Paul's MTC)

Rev. A. T. Zacharia

Rev. Josie Joseph

Rev. Thomas Mathew

Rev. Prakash K George

Rev. B Mathew

Rev. Sajesh Mathew

Rev. Y Alex

Rev. Joby Thomas Samuel

Brief Summary of Bishop's message:

Highlighted that in this New year we need to be faithfull to our Master, Jesus Christ & lead a life which is guided by the spirit of the Lord. We should keep away our worldly goals and set more humaine goals in your life. He also hopped this convention will help us to come more closer to our Lord.

 

Brief Summary of Guest speaker's message: TURN TO GOD

 

Based on the Biblical verse from Isaiah 5:2
He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

The Lord put us on this beautiful earth for a purpose. We must never forget the times when the Lord helped us tide over difficult times & now when he has blessed us abundantly, we must be thankful for his grace. However In the current times we are chasing worldly goals driven by pride and greed. Take this opportunity to TURN TO GOD! Let 2012 be a new beginning.

The message has enough small stories to keep the congregation engaged. 

 

Friends please do attend the Youth meeting tomorrow at 4 PM and be blessed.

 

 

Chennai Center Mar Thoma Convention 2012

The 14th Annual Chennai Center Mar Thoma Convention will be held from January 6, 2012 to January 8, 2012 at our church. Rev.Dr P.P Thomas (Bishop’s College, Kolkata) is the guest speaker of the convention.


We have a youth meeting @ 4pm on Saturday.


We request all Yuvajana Sakhyam members to attend this youth meeting.