Basic Foundation of Pastoral Ministry in the Context of Contemporary Society 

(First sermon at Serampore)

Introduction (Let us Prayer)::

Lord, your words are perfect for it has a power to revive our souls and to bring joy for our hearts. Speak to us and touch every one of us again through your living words, in Jesus name we pray.

The assigned/chosen texts for this morning service are taken from Ex. 3:1-12; 2Tim 4:1-5; and John 21:15-19.

Out of these three passages, we have 2 very important subjects that we (one) should not fail to notice – i.e. 

1. The call of Moses – to set them free and lead his people. Or we can also say that – ‘the call of Moses - to interfere in the realms of his people suffering, who suffered from the dominant structure of their times.

2. And about the reinstatement of Peter by Jesus - to feed ‘the sheep of Jesus’ or to look after his church for which Jesus shed his own blood.

Therefore, by keeping these two important areas in our minds, we will try to look – the fundamental purpose of Christian calling and responsibilities in the context of modern society.’ OR In another worlds, (our main topic for this service will be) – “the basic foundation of pastoral ministry in the context of contemporary society” And this theme will further require the need to examine the present situation of our society, as well as the need to re-examine ourselves.

So, if we are going to examine ‘the present condition of our society,’ some important questions are automatically arising – such as

- What has been happened in today society?- In to what context are we living now?- As a theological students/ being a disciple of Jesus Christ, what responsibilities are we going to take-up? (& so on….).

In order to give a suitable answer to these questions, I think, we need to have a deeper insight to the present situation. and, in order to have a deeper insight to the present situation, we are going to look one of the most important remarkable explosions what we usually notice – i.e. about the occurrence of dramatic or drastic change in our society by means of information and technological revolution and by means of what they called it as ‘modernism’.

As we all know it, this revolution or change, especially in the field of technology, was basically emerged as a systemic feature in the 1970s, and later expanded throughout the 1980s in different workplaces of all kind, and furthermore this has also been deeply penetrated almost every homes and culture, through the diffusion of Internet, and different multimedia.The consequence of this rapid development and change therefore has posed several challenges in our present society.

According to some writers, these challenges includes-

- The spirit of falsehood and faithlessness

- Change in our lifestyle- Shift in value system

- Increase of violence in the society &

- Certain ideological changes  (and many more)

Besides these challenges, several other consequences like – materialism, individualism, laziness, video pornography and many other things are also deeply embedded not only in the society but also in the minds of (what we called it) ‘a responsible Christians’ especially among the youths and even among several church goers.

Therefore, in this situation, certain social evils and other problems like- rape, suicide, drugs abuse, depression, demoralization and losing hope, discouragement, insecurity etc are also becoming widespread among people of all kinds especially among the youths. And due to these circumstances, it is truly to say that many youths today have been trapped and victimized under these severe conditions.

Apart from this, there are also other dreadful things that we should not fail/avoid to acknowledge – i.e. the suffering of other creatures Or the destruction of our environment and its surrounding. They have also been suffered and destroyed through various means, such as - displacement and deforestation which usually have been done in the name of development and modernism.

Therefore because of these dreadful circumstances, many people today could hear the cries and suffering of natures. They are crying helplessly as many parents today are silently crying. Not only this, different religions, different classes and different walks of life have also been faced the same problems. In general, one may say that - no one is safe and no one is spared from this terrible and dreadful situation.

Than, coming to the text/scripture –1.  Exodus 3:1-12 tells us that, the people of God- Israelites too have undergone diverse forms of difficulties under the oppressive structure of Egyptian. They have suffered physical and moral dehydration. They have also suffered different forms of distress or anguish, as well as different forms of subjugation and discrimination from their opponents and from their surroundings. As a result they had begun to cry for help, freedom and peace from their suffering.

In a shortest manner, they cried to God for help, and the result we could see is – ‘the call of Moses to liberate his people. And then the consequence what we could see again is – ‘the great exodus event’ which followed by ‘the direct intervention of God’ by performing a number of miracles, and simultaneously the joyful praise and dance of Miriam and other Israelite.

So, this could become a comparable image or picture for today. As Israelite have suffered so many forms of difficulties, many people of these days have also faced the same problems, as we already pointed out earlier. This has been happened in our society, in our family, in our church and even to our love ones.Therefore because of this terrible or extremely bad occurrence - many people today started crying for help, they cried - not only because of their suffering but because they need freedom, peace, joy,  and at the same time, some are respites for their soul.

In such a situation, one important questions that must come to our mind is - what kind of responsibility are we going to take up? OR Being a ‘called out’ to serve others, do we ever think that we are ‘being called’ to serve those people who are under the bondage of suffering and under the spirit of darkness.

2. Apart from what we just talk about, we can also substantiate this problems with another areas of difficulties as found in 2Tim 4: 3&4, which says- by promoting certain ideologies and implanting what they called it – “Myth’ or certain media contents (Some of us may know that many writers today called Media content- as “Myths”), many people today are driven away from ‘the truth’.

Ch4: 3&4 says - (3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.)

So, as this passage foretells us, it may possible to say that - the time has come now –the time, when we do not put up with sound doctrine and good advices, but our own desire. It is also the time, when we gather different technological devices and different media content, instead of valuing the truth.

This is definitely the real thing. And it has been happened, because (as seen 4:3&4) our ears are itching only to here our own desire. It has also been happened, because we put more value Myths than the truth.Therefore, considering to these entire occurrence in the society (as we have just presented in this particular moment), let us now try to reflect and re-examine ourselves.

First, In order to confront all these kind of situations, we can simply bring out the message of Paul which is very applicable for today context –i.e.4:1 - In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:4: 5- keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry.I think, this message will be quite relevant to our society.

Secondly, if we look the story of Moses, One important thing what we need to remember is - Whenever God has called out his/her servant, He called them out intentionally for some specific purpose. In many cases, He might call them out – to be a ruler, or to proclaim - the rathe of God, or to proclaim - his forgiveness, his love, for repentance, or to turn away from evil.

In other case, God might also called them out (his/her servant) – to help, or to liberate, to build, to heal, to restore and to reform or to bring transformation to the society or to a particular community. However, what we need to notice from this point is - whenever this specific call has occurred, it has often taken place accordingly as to what the situation demand or require.

Therefore, (brothers and sisters); as we are preparing for the ministry of God, we have something to remember – i.e.  ‘The call’ we received from God and the call we response into it has also a purpose. For some of us, the purpose may be – to help, to liberate or to lead, people who are under the control of spirit of darkness. Or people who are under the bondage of suffering.  Whatever the call may be, one important thing what we need to keep in our minds is – we are being called by God not only to keep silence but for a purpose and to do something.

Lastly, in order to fulfill our responsibilities and in order to face so many challenges that have been surrounded us; another important thing what we need to keep not only in our minds but into our inner most is – ‘to love God’ (as found in John 21:15-19). Because, ‘loving God’ would be one of the most important basic foundations for our ministry. In another words, or it is truly to say that – this is the most ‘essential needs’ for every Christian.

But, why it is so important, and why it is essentially necessary for every Christian? - Because ‘loving God’ is the main key that enables us to serve God, as well as to serve our own people. Loving God in reality is like a vehicle that enables us to carry out the basic principle of our ministry. In the same way, loving God is also the foundation that enables us to live in purposefully in the ministry of God.

Therefore, as Jesus reinstates Peter by asking one important question, so that Peter might sacrifices his life for him and for his people who were in the midst of difficulty and insecurity. So, let us also ask ourselves by putting the same question into our minds.i.e. - Do we really love God? OR Are we going to response the call that has come upon us to accomplish our mission?And, in order to confront this kind of situation that have been prevailed in our society, let the words of Jesus ask again to everyone of us – 

“Do you love me more than this?”

This does mean, Jesus appeals ‘the centrality’ in our life. So, let us put Jesus at the central. 

AMEN! (May the Lord God bless us through this message)

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE -2014

(19TH, JANUARY,2014 AT SERAMPORE)

Prayer: 

Lord Almighty, who in his infinite love has made us to his people and tells us – “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” here is our prayer Lord, touch everyone and reveal to us through your words that we are meditating upon and through your holy sacrament that we have been set aside in your name, so that we may see and comprehend your glory and holiness. Lord, we offer this humble supplication, in order that this will persuade us to bow down before you and to worship you in spirit and truth.

Theme : “LET US PRAY” 

The chosen(assigned) texts given to me for this evening service are Isaiah 7: 7 – 12 and Mt 7:7-12.

Isaiah 7:1-12 is about the tidings which Isaiah took to Ahaz, king of Judah.

1. The story of these passages go like this – When Ahaz was king of Judah, Another two kings - king of Syria and King of Israel who made an alliance, have set out to attack Jerusalem. Then the news “the alliance made by the two kings and the attempt to attack Jerusalem made by these two kings” had come to the royal court of Judah, therefore, according to this passage - the hearts of the kings of Judah and his people were trembled with fear, the text says – ‘people hearts were trembled like trees shaking in a storm’. Therefore, in this difficult situation, the message of God has come for the king of Judah and his people through prophet Isaiah; (and the summary of this God’s message are) -

1. Stop worrying. The message urged the king and his people to stop worrying.

2. They need not to fear the anger of their enemies

3. God promises Ahaz that the attempt made by these two kings would not happened. But the message of God has conditional clause-i.e “unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm” (v9). That means - in order to stand a firm, Ahaz need to have strong and solid faith.

4. The last one is, God wants Ahaz to ask for a sign for confirmation of this message.

The subsequent story is that – Ahaz refused God’s message and thus completely failed to stand with solid faith. Instead of putting his trust in God, rather he invited and met Tiglath-pileser, king of Assuria to help him and to make alliance with him (2King 16:5-9; 2Chro 28:16ff). As a result of his failure – his life and rule was too short, not only that, according to 2Chro 28: 19 “The Lord was humbling Judah because of king Ahaz of Judah, for he had encouraged his people to sin and had been utterly unfaithful to the Lord”.

Therefore one of the lesions what we can get from this short passage is – failure to trust God has resulted not only failure in life but also God has refused to intervene to life of people who do not put their trust in him.

2. MT 7:7-12 is very well known verses, it is about an effective Prayer where God has made his promise in the form of prayer advice.

The promises of God, what we could found from this prayer counsel are; (as God promise us….)

- We will receive whatever we ask

- If we keep on seeking, we will find.

- If we keep on knocking, then the door will be opened for us (v7), and the repetitions of the promises are given in v8 – i.e. everyone who asks- receives. Everyone who seeks -finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

- Again the affirmation of these promises is given in v.11, which says - “So if your sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him”.

Therefore, basing on these two texts I would like to draw our attention on the topic of “Prayer” OR It may also appropriate to put this theme in a very common phrase or saying, i.e. - “Let Us Pray”

I have been chosen this theme - to invite/encourage us not only to pray before God but, this theme may also persuade or provoke us to reexamine our commitment particularly in Prayer.

Therefore, to deal with this important theme – first of all, i want to bring out and ask one provoking and at the same time unnecessary question which for some us us is needless to ask among people of God, i.e. – Have we often offered a prayer to God? Or how many times we have sacrificed ourselves/times to offer prayer?

This question is an important question we often deed to ask as people of God. Because, in a Christian circle we have heard about several committed people who offered their efforts and sacrificed their life for prayer like – Even Robert, Francis Assasis, John Knox, George Muller, and David Branierd. Therefore to follow their step and to experience the power of prayer, or to experience very wonderful God-human relationship through prayer, it is inevitably necessary to take into consideration in our Christian life.

But as we continue this message, another important question what we need to ask than the previous one, according to me is – Does God answered our/your prayer? How many times we have been experienced the power of prayer in our Christian life? OR How long we have already given up the practice of prayer?

Recently, I read one interesting book, and some of you might also red it, and the title of that book was “The Kneeling Christian”. In this book I have found some embarrassing and at the same time very provoking statements, which says-

1. In many contemporary churches, charismatic movement/spiritual revival is hardly taken place. Why?

The answer is – it is none other than, Lack of Prayer.

2. Saving soul is hardly taken place among evangelists and Christian communities. Why?

The answer is - : Lack of prayer

3. The reason why the church became weak and inability to grow in progress – ANS, Lack of Payer.

4. The reason why many good Christians have committed sin and became fragile – ANS, lack of payer.

This statement may be true or may not be true, but the reason why I reflect upon these statements is to know more about the importance and the inevitability of Payer in our daily life.

However, before we come to the main point, let me try to give some suitable explanations or definitions for Prayer.

There can be several definitions for prayer, for some, it is defines as –

1. A devout petition to God or an object of worship.

2. Some are also define as a spiritual communion with God, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.

3. It is also define as specially worded form or a fervent request used to address God.

Of course, these are some of the good definitions and suitable explanations for prayer, but according to my understanding and basing on my experienced I would also like to add a few hints/clues which may help us to fine a deeper meaning of prayer and at the same time which will help us to please God in our prayer.

1. Prayer is like a medium/network which reveals our relationship with God. It can reveal the relationship between God and individual who is obliged to offer prayer. Basing on this explanation, it may also appropriate to say that - our relationship has revealed/disclosed like a signal, in our mobile phone through this network of payer.

This is true and acceptable because when the level of our spiritual movement (in us) is high, we could and be able to pray constantly to God, we often think that we are able to pray but also believed that our supplications/prayers are being answered.

On the other hand, if this spiritual level (in self) is happened to come down, we are in a stage of drop out position. Then we stop offering prayer to God. Moreover, we are unable to have enthusiasm, keenness, or interest to offer a prayer.

Therefore, (according to me) having unceasing prayer or having eagerness to pray or having uneasiness for prayer is a matter of our relationship with God. If you or someone wants to please God or if you expect God to answer your prayer, the best answer is - have a good relationship with God. Or reconsider your relationship with God.

2. Prayer is like a sign ( OR It is a sign for God’s People):

Here we put it, prayer as a sign because most of the people of God, as found in the scripture have also demonstrated their belief, their endeavor through prayer. We have also already mentioned some of the profound Christian figures who dedicated their life and who exemplified their life through their constant prayer. Therefore, we must and can also use it as a sign, a sign for God’s people. So that people can see our Image/sign and people may also consider that we are God’s people, God’s servants or believers of God.

3. Prayer is not only a mere words or simple practice of Christian. Rather it is the cry or petitions offered by people whom God has loved.

This means, my prayer is not only a mere word offered to God. It is not like a lifeless bubble that will burst within a moment. But it is the words offer by me who love God and whom God has loved. That means the petition or appeal made by your son will never be rejected, because the one who make an appeal to you is not a mere son but he/she is your beloved son/daughter. Therefore prayer cannot be only a mere word or petition made by us, but it is ‘words of mouth’ that offered by very unique and special people whom God has loved.

In order to clarify more about this stand or certainty, let us see how God has made promises to his people whom he loved for answering their prayer.

- II Chro 7: 14 says– If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

- Sam 145:18-19 also says - The lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grant the desires of those who fear him, he hears their cries for help and rescue them.

- John 15: 7-  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted.

- Isaiah 33:3: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’.

Therefore, coming to the main and last part, let me extend this (my) message by giving some suitable answers to this remaining question – Then how shall we offer a prayer to God?

We can simply give this answer from the previous message that we have already heard/presented-

1. By establishing a genuine/authentic relationship with God

2. Believing the promise what God has made to his people

3. By realizing that - God is the God who would accept and answer prayer offered by his people whom he loved.

4. With a strong faith OR putting our trust in God.

Then, to close this/my message, let me remind you by reading these promise and warning message from the chosen two passages;

The promise:

1. MT7:7-11: Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

You parents- if your children ask for a loft of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gift to those who ask him.

But, friends let us also remember the warning message given to us by God through the prophet Isaiah-

2. Isaiah 7: 9: "Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm". (This is the words of God, may God bless us all 

A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION AS THE BASIC SOURCE OF BLESSING AND CHRISTIAN SHARING 

(SERMON ON 18TH, August, 2013- HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE) 

 Prayer: Lord Jesus, who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant and who made humbled himself and become obedient to death – Because of what you have decided to take this very nature and because of your participation and sharing life in this corrupted world, we the wicket people could gained the inexpressible blessing, a blessing that is so abundant for us. We want to thank you Lord for all the great things that you have bestowed upon us. Help us to realize once more the blessing that we received from your son, in order that we may live according to your will and may also live to be a blessing for our fellow beings. Let your ‘blessing light’ be shined upon to every one of us, we pray in Jesus name. 

The chosen texts for this evening are taken from - The book of Deut. and the gospel according to John, and before we come to the main topic, I would like to introduce these 2 texts.

  1. Deut 1: 9-11: is the introductory part of ‘recollecting story of the past’ in which Moses blessed the people of Israelites and has appointed Leaders from different tribes of Israelites.  And this parallel text is also found in Exo 18:13-26 where Jethro, father-in-Law of Moses gave advice to Moses to appoint leaders over different groups of people of Israelites.  But, since these particular 3 verses (Deu 1:9-11) do not contain such an appointment; in this evening, i will not bring out the entire proceeding story of this passage, but  will try to simply deal with the text as it has been mentioned here. 

 2. John 4: 39-42: is about Samaritans woman who told the story of Jesus to her villagers and is about how the villagers of Samaritan believed Jesus. In Verses 41&42 – “when Jesus stayed for 2 days and preached among them, they begun to here the message and believed Jesus, and said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. And they continue to exclaim that – Jesus is indeed the savior of the world.” 

 Therefore, basing on these two particular texts, we will try to focus on “A Total transformation, as the basic source of Blessing and Christian Sharing”    But before we expound the chosen texts, i would like to begin my message with the story of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the church fathers, and whom they regarded as ‘defender of the Christian faith’ by many Christian historians.  It has been said that, his life begun at Tagaste (modern Algeria) in Africa.  Though he had received a Christian upbringing, and had a devoted mother who instantaneously used to offer her prayer for her son Augustin, the early part of his life was so devastated. - He run away from her mother and had a mistress with whom he lived fifteen years.  In short, His life was not so delightful but was usually terrible. So, when he was in a perplexing condition, and had rebellious life from his own family and from God– Once, a strange voice had came to him, than the voice told him to ‘take up and read’ which Augustine took as a divine command to open the Bible and read the first thing he saw. So, he read  Romans 13:13-14 which said– “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and makes no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof”.  So, the moment he read the scripture, Augustine could felt something what he never experience before. And then, from this time onward he had a new life and become a new person. Someone may say that his life was being transformed by the power of God.  The later part of his life was therefore so fantastic. Then, in return, Augustine had decided to devote his whole life and committed his life for the church and for his God who transformed his life.  Though no one knows how many people would be blessed through his new life. But at the same time what we could notice from his life is, He became one of the most prominent figures among his contemporary.  And even after his death, he was given many names. Among those renowned attributions they have given to him was ‘defender of the Christian faith’.

 Therefore, a person like him, once, who betrayed God and who refused God, would, became the sources of blessing not only for his relatives but for the church and for many people of his time.  And apart from this story, we can also recollect many interesting story, from Sadhu Sandar Singh, William Carey and from many other outstanding people. But as we are going to focus on our chosen or particular texts, we can keep all those interesting stories in our minds.  
So, if we look the Bible, there are many people, whom someone might consider them as greater than Augustine and the other well known people.  In Deut 1: 9-11, and John 4: 39-42 we could see very unique 2 persons – 

Moses and Samaritan Woman: 

1. Moses was (according to the Bible) - A slave son by birth, or adapted son. - But, grown up in the palace of Egyptian - A murderer, and who run away /flee from his people - A simple shepherd in the land of his father-in law But remarkably, he was also a person who experienced what we called it -‘transforming life’ through the specific call from God and through the call which he was unable to refuse.  The consequences of his confrontation with God, what we can see are – The people of Israelite were blessed in a way that ‘they were liberated from the slave of Egyptian. They were made free in order that, they could joyfully praise and dance before God.  Even though the people of God have gone through so many dis-loyalties from the Law of God, somehow it is possible to say that - they were blessed through the life and works of Moses. They have also experienced delightful freedom and peace from their enemies; and they have also experienced a number of miraculous works of God, while they were in the wilderness.  

 2. The second one is about the Samaritan Woman ( john 4): A woman, whose life has a lot of similarities with the story of Moses; In the early part of her life, she was…  - A deprived, disadvantaged, destitute and depressed woman. She was also the one who offered herself to accompany with many husbands or a number of men. - She was also a person, who asked Jesus “water from a living spring” for she has undergone different form of thirst and for she was in a situation of lacking something and needing to sustain her desire. But, later what we could see from her life is – she was also the one who experienced – ‘a total transformation’ (though the Scripture does not contain or provides us such an account). We found that - her experienced helped many Samaritan to here the message of Jesus and in a later part, we know that – because of her initiative, many people believed Jesus words and become the followers of Jesus. This means, the total transformation what we are talking about has taken place not only upon Samaritan woman but upon many villagers of the Samarian. They could have experienced – ‘a blessed sharing’ from a sinful person like Samaritan woman. They were blessed through a single and simple person who received and experienced Jesus.

  Lastly, as we are going to partake in this Holy Communion or as we are going to have a fellowship with one another through this table, i want to tell you one more story, the most important and interesting story that we should not avoid to acknowledge for this evening - that is – the Story of Jesus; Jesus, whom Pilate, a governor could not find his guilty, but at the same time considered him as ‘deserved to die’ by many Jewish people, religious leaders and the High Priest. He is also the one who emptied himself for me and for you, in order that we may have a transforming life. He is also the one who shed his own blood and sacrificed on behalf of you and me. And, even though, he is the son of God and is rich, but at the same time he is also the one who made himself as a servant and became poor for me and for you. 

Moreover, we can also say that - Through his sacrificial suffering, we are blessed, in a way that – we received not only eternal life, but also the grace of God, through him we also received the living hope, peace of mind and according to St. Paul, we also received – the membership of God family, as well as the citizenship of heaven. 

Again, Peter also tells us about - how we are given different immense status, a status which we never deserved to attain for a person like us especially a person like me -  I Pet 1:3-4: (Peter says) –“All praise to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his grace mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the death. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 

In I Pet 2:9-10: (He also further said) – “For you are a chosen people. You are royal priest, a holy nation, God very own possession. As result you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people. Now you are God’s people. Once you receive no mercy, now you have received God’s mercy.”

 Friends, These are the possessions which we acquired and obtained from God through the suffering and through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These are also the blessings that we received from God through the blood of Jesus and through the sacrificial offering of the body of Jesus Christ?
 Therefore, friends - I want to conclude my message by saying this, once, we were sinners and were included among the wicket people, before we received the grace of God. But now we were blessed and transformed through the blood and through the sacrificial offering of Jesus. So, let us remember the indescribable blessing that we received from God. And let us also remember - the blood and body of Jesus Christ which is offered and through which one could acquire and enjoy the love of God and so many blessing.  And Let this transforming life of ours, be a source of blessing for others. I believed that this must also be the true meaning of this sacrament. May God bless us through this sharing., 

Basic Foundation of Pastoral Ministry in the Context of Contemporary Society (First sermon at Serampore)

Introduction

- Let us Prayer:

Lord, your words are perfect for it has a power to revive our souls and to bring joy for our hearts. Speak to us and touch every one of us again through your living words, in Jesus name we pray.

The assigned/chosen texts for this morning service are taken from Ex. 3:1-12; 2Tim 4:1-5; and John 21:15-19.

Out of these three passages, we have 2 very important subjects that we (one) should not fail to notice – i.e. (about)

1. The call of Moses – to set them free and lead his people. Or we can also say that – ‘the call of Moses - to interfere in the realms of his people suffering, who suffered from the dominant structure of their times.

2. And about the reinstatement of Peter by Jesus - to feed ‘the sheep of Jesus’ or to look after his church for which Jesus shed his own blood.

Therefore, by keeping these two important areas in our minds, we will try to look – the fundamental purpose of Christian calling and responsibilities in the context of modern society.’  OR

In another worlds, (our main topic for this service will be) – “the basic foundation of pastoral ministry in the context of contemporary society” And this theme will further require the need to examine the present situation of our society, as well as the need to re-examine ourselves.

So, if we are going to examine ‘the present condition of our society,’ some important questions are automatically arising – such as

- What has been happened in today society?

- In to what context are we living now?

- As a theological students/ being a disciple of Jesus Christ, what responsibilities are we going to take-up? (& so on….).

So, in order to give a suitable answer to these questions, I think, we need to have a deeper insight to the present situation. and, in order to have a deeper insight to the present situation, we are going to look one of the most important remarkable explosions what we usually notice – i.e. about the occurrence of dramatic or drastic change in our society by means of information and technological revolution and by means of what they called it as ‘modernism’.

So, as we all know it, this revolution or change, especially in the field of technology, was basically emerged as a systemic feature in the 1970s, and later expanded throughout the 1980s in different workplaces of all kind, and furthermore this has also been deeply penetrated almost every homes and culture, through the diffusion of Internet, and different multimedia.

The consequence of this rapid development and change therefore has posed several challenges in our present society.

According to some writers, these challenges includes-

- The spirit of falsehood and faithlessness

- Change in our lifestyle

- Shift in value system

- Increase of violence in the society &

- Certain ideological changes  (and many more)

Besides these challenges, several other consequences like – materialism, individualism, laziness, video pornography and many other things are also deeply embedded not only in the society but also in the minds of (what we called it) ‘a responsible Christians’ especially among the youths and even among several church goers.

Therefore, in this situation, certain social evils and other problems like- rape, suicide, drugs abuse, depression, demoralization and losing hope, discouragement, insecurity etc are also becoming widespread among people of all kinds especially among the youths. And due to these circumstances, it is truly to say that many youths today have been trapped and victimized under these severe conditions.

Apart from this, there are also other dreadful things that we should not avoid to acknowledge – i.e. the suffering of other creatures Or the destruction of our environment and its surrounding. They have also been suffered and destroyed through various means, such as - displacement and deforestation which usually have been done in the name of development and modernism.

Therefore because of these dreadful circumstances, many people today could hear the cries and suffering of natures. They are crying helplessly as many parents today are silently crying. Not only this, different religions, different classes and different walks of life have also been faced the same problems. In general, one may say that - no one is safe and no one is spared from this terrible and dreadful situation.

So, coming to the text/scripture –

1. Exodus 3:1-12 tells us that, the people of God- Israelites too have undergone diverse forms of difficulties under the oppressive structure of Egyptian. They have suffered physical and moral dehydration. They have also suffered different forms of distress or anguish, as well as different forms of subjugation and discrimination from their opponents and from their surroundings. As a result they had begun to cry for help, freedom and peace from their suffering.

In a shortest manner, they cried to God for help, and the result we could see is – ‘the call of Moses to liberate his people. And then the consequence what we could see again is – ‘the great exodus event’ which followed by ‘the direct intervention of God’ by performing a number of miracles, and simultaneously the joyful praise and dance of Miriam and other Israelite.

So, this could become a comparable image or picture for today. As Israelite have suffered so many forms of difficulties, many people of these days have also faced the same problems, as we already pointed out earlier. This has been happened in our society, in our family, in our church and even to our love ones.

Therefore because of this terrible or extremely bad occurrence - many people today started crying for help, they cried - not only because of their suffering but because they need freedom, peace, joy,  and at the same time, some are respites for their soul.

In such a situation, one important questions that must come to our mind is - what kind of responsibility are we going to take up? OR Being a ‘called out’ to serve others, do we ever think that we are ‘being called’ to serve those people who are under the bondage of suffering and under the spirit of darkness.

2. Apart from what we just talk about, we can also substantiate this problems with another areas of difficulties as found in 2Tim 4: 3&4, which says- by promoting certain ideologies and implanting what they called it – “Myth’ or certain media contents (Some of us may know that many writers today called Media content- as “Myths”), many people today are driven away from ‘the truth’.

Ch4: 3&4 says - (3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.)

So, as this passage foretells us, it may possible to say that - the time has come now –the time, when we do not put up with sound doctrine and good advices, but our own desire. It is also the time, when we gather different technological devices and different media content, instead of valuing the truth.

This is definitely the real thing. And it has been happened, because (as seen 4:3&4) our ears are itching only to here our own desire. It has also been happened, because we put more value Myths than the truth.

Therefore, considering to these entire occurrence in the society (as we have just presented in this particular moment), let us now try to reflect and re-examine ourselves.

First, In order to confront all these kind of situations, we can simply bring out the message of Paul which is very applicable for today context –i.e.

4:1 - In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

4: 5- keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry.

I think, this message will be quite relevant to our society.

Secondly, if we look the story of Moses, One important thing what we need to remember is - Whenever God has called out his/her servant, He called them out intentionally for some specific purpose. In many cases, He might call them out – to be a ruler, or to proclaim - the rathe of God, or to proclaim - his forgiveness, his love, for repentance, or to turn away from evil.

In other case, God might also called them out (his/her servant) – to help, or to liberate, to build, to heal, to restore and to reform or to bring transformation to the society or to a particular community. However, what we need to notice from this point is - whenever this specific call has occurred, it has often taken place accordingly as to what the situation demand or require.

Therefore, (brothers and sisters); as we are preparing for the ministry of God, we have something to remember – i.e.  ‘The call’ we received from God and the call we response into it has also a purpose. For some of us, the purpose may be – to help, to liberate or to lead, people who are under the control of spirit of darkness. Or people who are under the bondage of suffering.  Whatever the call may be, one important thing what we need to keep in our minds is – we are being called by God not only to keep silence but for a purpose and to do something.

Lastly, in order to fulfill our responsibilities and in order to face so many challenges that have been surrounded us; another important thing what we need to keep not only in our minds but into our inner most is – ‘to love God’ (as found in John 21:15-19). Because, ‘loving God’ would be one of the most important basic foundations for our ministry. In another words, or it is truly to say that – this is the most ‘essential needs’ for every Christian.

But, why it is so important, and why it is essentially necessary for every Christian? - Because ‘loving God’ is the main key that enables us to serve God, as well as to serve our own people. Loving God in reality is like a vehicle that enables us to carry out the basic principle of our ministry. In the same way, loving God is also the foundation that enables us to live in purposefully in the ministry of God.

Therefore, as Jesus reinstates Peter by asking one important question, so that Peter might sacrifices his life for him and for his people who were in the midst of difficulty and insecurity. So, let us also ask ourselves by putting the same question into our minds.

i.e. - Do we really love God? OR Are we going to response the call that has come upon us to accomplish our mission?

And, in order to confront this kind of situation that have been prevailed in our society, let the words of Jesus ask again to every one of us – “Do you love me more than this?”

This does means, Jesus appeals ‘the centrality’ in our life. So, let us put Jesus at the central. appeal

AMEN! (May the Lord God bless us through this message)