Three Pillars of a Devoted Christian Life

Key Points

Three Pillars of a Devoted Christian Life

The sermon, delivered by Ashish Charan, focuses on three essential pillars for living a devoted Christian life and the miraculous benefits that follow.

1. Reading the Bible Every Day

  • Foundation of Christian Life: Reading the Bible daily is presented as the foundation of a Christian devoted life.
  • The Word as Christ's DNA: John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," highlights that the Word of God is Christ himself. Daily reading of the Bible allows the "DNA of Christ" to develop in believers, making them more Christ-like.
  • God's Love Letter: The Bible is likened to a love letter from God. Just as a mother prioritizes a letter from her own mother due to love, believers should prioritize reading God's Word out of love for Him.
  • Miraculous Benefits: Even if not fully understood, reading the Bible daily will bring miracles into one's life.

2. The Power of Prayer

  • Prayer Formulas:
    • Matthew 18:20: "When two or three are gathered in my name, I am in midst of them."
    • Matthew 18:19: "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven."
  • Overcoming Pride: Pride is identified as the biggest sin, exemplified by Satan's fall. Prayer is the means to overcome pride, asking God daily to remove it from our hearts.
  • Private Prayer: Matthew 6:6 emphasizes praying in private, shutting the door, and speaking to God, who will reward openly.
  • Bold and Big Prayers: Believers are encouraged to pray big and bold prayers, believing that every problem can be solved through faith-filled prayers.
  • Faith Through Prayer: Prayer helps in acquiring and practicing faith. Mark 11:24, "What things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them," underscores the importance of believing in the outcome of prayer.

3. Faith in God

  • Foundation for the Impossible: Faith is crucial for a Christian life. Matthew 9:29, "According to your faith, be it unto you," and Matthew 17:20, "If you have faith, nothing is impossible for you," illustrate its power.
  • God as Partner: Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" highlights God's partnership, friend, and business partner in our lives.
  • Kingdom of God Within: Luke 17:20-21 states that the kingdom of God is within us, meaning God has placed all potential powers and abilities for constructive living within our minds and personalities.
  • Renewing the Mind: With these three pillars, believers can experience renewal of mind (Romans 12:2), leading to happier and healthier lives by replacing negative thoughts with peace, serenity, and tranquility.
  • Daily Dependence: Jesus' instruction in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us today our daily bread," signifies God's desire for our daily dependence on Him.
  • Right-Mindedness: Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake his way, an unrighteous man his thought," emphasizes changing one's thinking from wrong to right, and error to truth.
  • Constant Energy and Peace: These pillars provide a constant supply of energy and peace (Isaiah 40:29, 40:31; Psalm 37:1; John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).
  • Testimony and Confidence: The speaker encourages keeping a diary of God's miraculous help in times of trouble to build confidence, remembering that Jesus is "the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

The Power of Belief and Supernatural Provision

  • Expect the Best: Mark 9:23, "Everything is possible for one who believes," encourages expecting the best from God.
  • Size of Faith: God's blessings are likened to a big white pipe, and the amount we receive depends on the "size of our faith" (our pipe or hand). We need to increase our faith to receive bigger gifts from God.
  • God's Desire to Bless: God desires to give us prosperity, leadership, wisdom, and restored health, just as He did for biblical figures.
  • Trust and Alignment with God's Will: When we trust God, our desires align with His will.
  • No Doubt in Heart: Mark 11:22-23 emphasizes having faith in God and speaking to "mountains" (problems) without doubt in our hearts. Doubt comes from reasoning rather than believing. God is above the laws of physics, gravity, time, and distance.
  • Waiting on God's Answer: Sometimes, God's answer to prayer is "no" or "wait" because He knows what is best for us and wants us to prioritize Him as our provider (Romans 8:28).
  • Healing through Faith:
    • Historically, the church was the primary place of healing.
    • Many physical ailments stem from emotional and mental distress (fear, inferiority, guilt, resentment).
    • Faith in Jesus Christ provides an "antibiotic" against fear and guilt.
    • Biblical Examples of Healing: The woman with the issue of blood was healed by her faith (Luke 17:19), while many in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth were not healed due to their unbelief (Mark 6:1-6). The "ball is in our court" regarding belief for healing.
    • Specific verses for healing: Psalm 31:24 for heart patients, Philippians 4:13 for bodily pain.
    • Pray for doctors to be channels of God's blessing.
    • Be thankful for healing even before it manifests.
  • Forgiveness and Freedom: Matthew 18:21-22, where Jesus instructs to forgive "70 times 7," highlights the importance of radical forgiveness to be free from resentment and guilt. Judas's suicide is presented as a tragic example of not seeking forgiveness.
  • Supernatural Provision Requires a Step of Faith:
    • Examples: Moses parting the Red Sea, the widow's oil and flour multiplying, Peter's miraculous catch of fish.
    • Instead of asking for provision, ask God what "step of faith" you should take.
    • Shift in Source: Understand that God, not our jobs or businesses, is our true source (Deuteronomy 8:18).
    • Kingdom Laws: Supernatural provision comes through aligning with kingdom laws: worship, generosity, and faith. Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given good measure, pressed down, shaking together, running over," indicates an overflow for blessing others.
    • God is Not Against Wealth: Jesus was not poor; He had treasures and supernatural provision (e.g., coin from fish's mouth). God is against greed, but desires to entrust wealth to those who will advance His kingdom and be a solution to the world's problems.
    • Diligence and Blessings: Proverbs 10:22 and 13:4 emphasize the need for hard work and diligence alongside God's blessings for true wealth.

Conclusion

  • Daily Bible Reading is Key: Satan will try to make us busy to prevent us from reading the Word of God. We must "shoe away" this influence and proclaim God's Word.