 Yeah, hi everyone. Welcome back. We'll continue from where we stopped Yeah, just Yeah, so we were saying that you know, we can Have certain like encourage believers in whichever way possible to engage in the world out there in Different ways. So I just wanted to ask because we were all from different churches You have Something like this going on where believers are engaging productively constructively in the in the world Sharing from God's God's principles for the workplace or anything else You have something like that going on through your church Program of the church It could be a ministry that the believer is engaged in you could share that also. Okay, so Kennedy says yes Kennedy You'd like to tell us how? Yeah, I can tell you can tell you there's no problem We have a compassionate ministry that is currently Because like in our church we have professionals like we have doctors. We have nurses We've come up with a compassionate ministry that we are going around educating people on Lifestyle skills and more currently we are doing on the COVID-19 You're also having a program that runs on HIV programs for mothers and for young ones The after the bath how to manage Then we are currently learning to run one for the youth who are out of college a That we can indeed them positively Yeah, then you also have Cowish business for them. We set up program for them to keep them engaged But I should pray to them. They also have something to do that is productive in their lives Yeah Sure. Thank you. Kennedy. That's good. So there they're showing the compassion and the love of God to people In the name of Jesus, right? So then people Yeah, so similar to what we said bringing principles into schools colleges values And this is bringing God's compassion. So that's wonderful. Thank you for sharing anyone else anything else that you have seen going on so when I You know when I was in college there where there were a couple who? would run They called it You know like coffee house, but it was not really a cafe. It was just that That is it was that house top So they wanted to impact the lives of young people Every Saturday, they would have a really engaging exciting program and Invite young people you didn't have to be a Christian to come there, but they would talk about, you know things pertaining to self-esteem Some Saturdays would just be you know music. It would be some kind of performing performance going on but through it all they would share share the gospel towards the end and Yeah, some some programs they didn't but you know most of the times they would do that that if they don't do it directly then The good thing was they used to build relationships with young people So, you know, it's a lot easier when they they know young people know you they're ready to share Their burdens with you just sit and chat In that manner, I know that you know so many so many young people who were addicted to drugs like they would share their challenges and then You know, I remember the people who surround the place. They would try to get them help counseling support And you know help with studies because some young people are not doing well in studies So there was opportunity to to serve in different ways after making that connect but their Initiative was kind of simple. They just used to have that Saturday evening Program where anybody could come just have a good time have an enjoyable time learn some good things and go back home right so That was a nice way of engaging young people because the same young people if you invite them to come to church They will never have the courage to come to church, right? So I Seen this couple do The coffee house and it was so inspiring for me that you can do Something like this and it's so different so different ways like that. You can engage society You can bring the truth of God's word to people In their own way, you know something that they are willing to receive and be blessed by so Yeah, don't think about it pray about it. You know, you never know how God would lead each one of us to Open our hearts to serve people in different ways. So I know quickly we look at the Challenges and then we can come back to the question some of the questions that you all have So what are some challenges as I told us? the research and study of God's word to know the truth regarding a matter especially difficult matters like Difficult matters like the other day, you know the fertilized egg for how how can you let her? You know what lies egg died What lies and when it is an embryo at that stage, that's a difficult question We really have to search scriptures to find out. Okay. What does the Bible say? So there are such Difficult matters that can be matters regarding you know Things like divorce or certain Certain arrangement or a scenario is divorce. Okay, not okay It's very difficult to answer some of these questions. We really need the understanding of the word and the leading of the Holy Spirit to be able to guide people correctly in these matters or what about, you know matters of abortion when You know the woman is in a Very difficult medical state and there is no other option but to abort the child like these are all very difficult questions How do we go about these things? What does the Bible have to say? So the responsibility lies on the part of those Who teach the world? We really have to understand what God's word is saying And you know how God's spirit is leading us and share the truth present the truth Oh, then whatever the people decide That's up to them. But our responsibility is to present the uncompromising truth of God's word. What about euthanasia? when people are Suffering due to a prolonged illness and if it also had if it accompanies pain and Pain management is not very effective and this individual is living in pain for Many days weeks months even years. Is it okay to take a decision? Whether to let them go. What is the Bible after? Very very difficult questions, right, but we must Trust God to Help us unearth the truth from his word and present it to the people because people need to know What to do in situations like this because we want to live for God, right? And we want to live by God he values. So this is the challenge How do we find answers to questions like these and many others to help people? So, yeah, these are this is a very difficult thing But we can trust God and delve into it. I'm sure We will be able to find answers Okay to guide people then May at many times In the world and you know in in the in Christendom there can be some popular teaching or you know popular Something popular standard that that people want to follow but as a pastor and a leader Right, we must not be swayed by what is popular instead. We have to teach what God's word tells us Again, you know things like prosperity at some point. I'm sure Back at Christian history. It was very very famous very famous and At that time like if you are pastoring the church and if you come under pressure to hear not If you rightly divide the word of God, maybe a lot of other pastors might tell you, hey, what are you doing? Let's preach it this way But we have to stand up. It's popular to preach Prosperity the way It's being taught but I'll stick by God's word if you go by God's words I'm just giving you one one example, but there can be many such topics that people like like to hear about and when we are not preaching Right, or we are not doing things the way others in Christendom are doing even our congregation might say pastor Why are you not doing it like this? We have to Stand up and say, hey, no, this is what we believe This is what we've been preaching all along And this is what we will continue to preach even now because we've examined And this is the truth of God's word. So popular opinion. We should not let that Bend us on certain issues then Yeah, the other Thing here is the voice of compromising Christian leaders. So again, you know, this is similar to a popular opinion We can have some very well-known voices that Speak contradictory to the truth. Okay, let's let's say homosexuality I've heard you know some very popular preachers say things like yeah, what's wrong with that? We are in the 20th century Then the 21st century and the truth evolves, you know, I've heard statements like these from some men of God whom I have followed for years Okay, and it it's very disappointing. It's discouraging to know that they're willing to compromise on the truth of God's word. So when we hear Someone who has a voice Speak things like this. Now, are we going to succumb to that pressure or? Okay, maybe I'm not as well-known as you know that particular individual but still the truth is well-known the truth is Constant that's not going to change. So I'm going to say what the word says no matter what the so-called popular Individual is saying or the famous individual is saying so even these are all the challenges But as long as we are aligned to The word of God, I think we'll be fine Whatever issue we face Okay, so now just coming back to some of our practical questions here So Samuel your question on the mark of the beast, right? I think I'll say one thing other way that's like you're leaving with hanging Till you have your class In the next semester So see one one thing is I said revelation 17 and The word sorry like revelation 13 and was 17 Yeah So it says that no one may be able to buy or sell Except one who has the mark of the name of the beast or the number of his name. Okay, so There again, it's pretty clear that You know it has to do with business So If you look at the COVID vaccine, I don't think you know It's the standard for business like you don't use being vaccinated to buy or sell okay, so You know, I'm just going by this one verse and even that I think clarifies to me that you know The COVID vaccine is not the mark of the beast. Yeah, but there are so many other Points that you will consider As you go through the course on the end times eschatology, which will also You know explain further to you that We really talking about you know something that we Have to do with business Okay, that is the mark of the beast. So the code vaccine is not so just a very small point there for now I hope it's okay Man Sam is not connected Connected yeah, I realized Okay, anyway, so if you see that according later, then yes, that is one point for him Now coming back to other questions This bet on the call. Yeah, so I bet I know you asked the question in the Kingdom of God course but the answer to The IVF fertilized eggs, right? Yes, according to the Bible when you know the The egg is fertilized, okay, or we will call it the embryo right from that stage It's a person. It's a person and so the value placed on the embryo is Is as if you know, we are talking about the person that are you know scriptures the way God spoke to Jeremiah He said why now you went your mother's womb. I I knew you Okay, let me just share Yeah Okay, so David, you know in Psalm 51 and verse 5 he says I was brought for the iniquity and sin in sin Did my mother concede me? Conceive me so right from the moment of conception, right? It's a person. It's a person There are two nations struggling within Rebecca's womb Now they were not even born talking about Jacob and he saw Genesis 25 verses 22 to 23 They are people. Okay. They are people with a destiny and a future so we don't look at an embryo as You know, I mean you understand right like this value placed on it as per God's word the baby in Elizabeth's womb look 144 left for joy We read about that when she met Mary so The embryo is a person and in IVF now, you know, we really have to look into this when multiple eggs are fertilized and you know, the other the fertilized embryo is is Sort of let to die actually scriptually You know, that is not biblical. Okay, that is not biblical now I don't know too much about the exact process which they use today Do they fertilize the eggs and then they pick The one which is thriving if the others kind of naturally Don't make it. They only pick the one which which makes it and then they implant it in the mother's womb Now that is that would be different. But if You know, one is picked and the others are like You know to kind of self-destruct or whatever I don't know if that would be that would be right by the standards of God's word So that's my understanding as of now bet Yeah, is that okay bet? Yeah, sure. Thank you. Thank you for that. Now Sam is back. So Sam on the matter of civil disobedience and your question here it also Has the specific instance of So hypothetically you're saying how does the church make a stand perhaps a hypothetical scenario to discuss What if the government government makes gay marriage within churches mandatory and any church refusing to do so We'll use their privilege to fellowship. Maybe not the best scenario, but something to get us thinking Okay, so most specifically With regard to gay marriage and we know that you know, that doesn't honor God the homosexual Lifestyle and you know gay marriage. So we're very clear on God's word. So we will look at we will examine the standards In God's word for us. Okay. So what are the standards? I think Tarun has talked about Daniel One is that Like homosexuality that we don't we don't subscribe to it. Okay, so we cannot say yes to the government or something like this So what would we do? No, we would try to present our case We would try to present our case and we would you know try to tell them that this is what we believe And you know, we we we cannot we cannot Change our stand and we will continue to do we'll continue to do what is the right? Which is to not solemnize gay weddings Now if that gets us into trouble so be it now, but when we look at the response which The Apostles had in the book of Acts, right even addressing the Sanhedrin You have Peter and John. They are being forbidden To use the name of Jesus, but at that time Well, they make a decision and they say that no, we are not going to stop We are not going to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. So they make their stand very clear If the government is asking us, you know to make a compromise of this kind I think we can put our put down in the nicest way possible And say that no, we are not going to do it. So if you're going to call that civil disobedience. Yeah, I guess Yeah, I think it's the yeah Disobedience, right? So we see that in Acts 4 and again, you know later another place where Peter once again He says that we can't stop preaching or we cannot stop worshiping God. So he gives this answer to the council Gamalil is a part of it, right? So we have to put our foot down and make us stand and not compromise Yeah, so does that does that answer your question Samuel? Yeah, cool. Great. Okay, fine. So here Abraham has How about if it's made compulsory Okay, so Abraham if it is made compulsory for business Yeah, hello, mom. I mean It's just like the same that but a chance has written so you can read these statements or I can answer Okay, so anyway, I mean see at this point, you don't see that right like it's not compulsory So yeah, I don't think we need to worry about it. Yeah Okay, so say Life starts at conception. Yes. Okay, Charles So day So We'll see tomorrow Charles, that's my answer to that Because at the moment I don't see a connect to it being the mark of the piece Issue is that, you know, that there should not be the mark of the piece, right? Yeah Okay, she come on Yes, yes, Abraham, please. I mean Yeah, because here in Vietnam. I was told that according to what they are saying But I hope there is a rumor that you don't have the vaccine then means that you cannot work That's what they are telling us. So it's like they are going around and What's the name? forcing people to indirectly take the vaccine So I also learned that the doctors and the nurses that they didn't have the vaccine. They are not allowed to work So indirectly it is working already. I just that a government has no made a statement of It being compulsory for now. So I pray that it will not be so Yeah, that's not it because once they make it compulsory Then it means that medicine has become compulsory and medicine is not compulsory. It's my choice whether to Get medicine when I'm sick or not. It's my choice. So far as I don't have the sickness You cannot impose whatever you want to impose on me But if they want to make it compulsory, then there's a question that I have to ask and we have to find out That's my take ma'am Sure Oh Sorry, Abraham. Yeah, I understand that Okay So, okay, let me see if I can write up something from the the content From eschatology and post on the street Yeah, so, okay, thank you. Yeah, I think that that will give us a better understanding Yeah Shri Kumar, please go ahead. You have a question. Yeah, thank you pastor It is connected with the Samu's question like a civil obedient disobedience as you said in case like in India when they are They are implemented this anti conversion law and You know, how the things are becoming more extreme so in that case How we move ahead like no in the anti conversion law and other things are happening. So How you how you how you just you know, help me out to understand that one thing that Because in some countries, maybe that that thing is not there but even When we refer with the apostles time, it was not a law, but it was actually told them but it now it is like legally it is They are legalized it in India like they are making bringing that anti conversion law and other things So then how we can when we go ahead and share the gospel is it are we disobeying the law Yeah, thank you Shri Kumar very important question there So a couple of things that you know, I I have come to understand so far See we As believers, right? Or people following any faith in our nation in India. We do have the right to propagate our religion Okay, so that is a constitutional right, which we have been given okay, so when we preach when we teach and You know when we share about Christ to someone Or let's say, you know, there's a ministry and a church Not none of that is illegal. We're not engaging in any form of illegal activities Okay, so that is something that you know, we have to be very very clear about so the constitution Gives us that permission not just us but people of all religions. It gives us that permission Now, yes in certain states of India. There is an anti conversion law. Okay, so What that law says, you know, we have to examine it like by state We have to examine what what they say But I I do understand that that law is more to say that you must not force someone you must not force someone You know into into your religion and if you do then there are You know repercussions so legally the the people are able to Sort of try you for it. Okay, so there is this anti conversion law But you know, it is also something we observe that people Mean kind of I am using the term misuse. So misuse that law To kind of control people and say that come on you can't preach you can't teach about God See as long as you're doing it as long as you're doing it in a Right way, I mean, you're not forcing anyone. It is people's free will, you know You're careful about the age group like when people are being baptized. You're careful. Okay. This is an adult This is a full grown adult. They can make their own decision and they have made their choice to accept Christ So they have been baptized you maintain the certificate and also we go by the Law of the land so we follow there's a church then We encourage churches, you know to get your registration Then keep your finances clean follow the process follow the legal process So, you know as long as we're going by the law of the land and doing things, right? I don't see why we should not share or you know, we should not preach the gospel Constitutionally, we are allowed to do it Constitutionally, we are allowed to do so that is one thing that I wanted to say now when there is persecution Okay, or People are being threatened or harmed in various ways including physically You know, what should we do what should we see? There are different responses in The Bible and like we have to go by that Now when there was persecution there were times when the believers actually escaped Okay, and if I'm not wrong, there is actually pastors address this matter in 2008 There there was a lot of unrest and opposition Right? Come them all your number come them all in for this and at that time Reached a sermon. Yeah, which is something about our response to persecution So I think that will give you a more Comprehensive systematic answer to this question, but I'll just touch on some thoughts here. So Sometimes it's okay to escape, you know, we read when Paul was not accepted in Acts chapter 9 The the believers they get into escape. They put them in a basket and they you know Let them go out of the region because his life was a danger. So sometimes it's okay to escape Even in his missionary journeys, you find that he tries to escape some places because There is an unrest and he could have lost his life. So it's okay to Self-preserve and you know, get out of the scene if required So that is all right But if we are being asked to do Something, you know against God like in the case of Daniel He was asked to bow down to the idol of Nebuchadnezzar and he didn't do that. He didn't come from Sorry, Daniel and his friends the different scenarios there, right? So to worship the king was one thing and to bow down to the idea was another thing But they stood their ground and then they said we will not do this So it's okay to do that When we are being asked to dishonor God or not to worship our God you find in acts 419 that's 419 Yeah, Peter and John yeah Answered and said to them whether this right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God you judge So they kind of going against what they're being told because they are directly being told, you know not to worship God So there are times we can take this kind of a stand and say no, you know, we will do what we have to do and If you know, you you want to take us to task for it fine So we are ready to give our lives for Christ So there are times when we will have to do this as well and then yes, there will be times under persecution where We continue to do what God has called us to do with wisdom Okay. Now it is sad to say Shikmar that in some cases people face opposition because of the way things are being done You know, like not following the law One simple example, I think I told us the other day now if there is a rule that you must not have speakers after 10 p.m. And You know someone's trying to conduct the crusade and keep the speakers on like post 10 p.m They get in trouble, you know, and we can't call that persecution It's a lot of such things are also happening you know very noisy gatherings in a neighborhood where people live and then people say it's disturbing us and You know the believers say oh people are persecuting us Right. So wisdom. I think is also very very important when we apply wisdom and try to do things the right way Don't give an opportunity for anyone to blame the ministry Do it right to the best of our ability Yeah, we continue we carry on even though there's opposition we carry on till a time that you know We we are stopped completely by people. So that's the third thing I would say so it's okay to to escape Persecution second is to face it head on right for what we believe that one is just apply wisdom in the midst of persecution and carry on with the world Because you're not doing anything wrong Thank you pastor. Thank you. Yeah, sure. Thank you. And please do look up that sermon I think it has Thank you pastor. Thank you Yeah, so say Jesus told his disciples to leave the towns where they were escaped. Yeah, I mean We're not how good how useful are we to God when we are dead? You know, you really can't serve him, right? If you lose our lives, so I think sometimes it's okay to be wise and just escape the scene if required Yeah, thanks a for sharing that Scripture here Matthew 10 23 When they persecute you in one town Flee to another town okay for truly I tell you you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the sun of Okay, I guess Kennedy please go ahead. Yeah, Kennedy. I could see your hand raised you want to say something What I was asking you is it proper for church to seek funding from non-believers or organizations to run their projects Like construction of their daily program with proper Because I think when At times when you when you follow this program you find that most of the donors that a day or they are not leaving a godly life So they don't make good role models when it comes to it means accounting for the judge has been given Like the source of the fun came from somebody who's not a believer that gay person No, they participate in other than Godly acts Is it proper? Okay Yeah But Kennedy Don't you think that we we can't really know Where the money is coming from for example, you know for a building fund if you let people know that you are in need of money And then people start sending you bank transfers and all Would you be able to track every single person and find out whether that person is a believer or not a believer What I'm saying in like in our case and even programs Okay, and there are cases where people can't find, you know, like the HF, you know It's been funded by some organization, but when you find the CEOs of this organization, some of them are gay Now some of them are lesbians, but they actively respect in our program. So at times it's sort of a challenge, you know Of course, like when they fund a program, they can fund a one-year program But you but when you come to look into the history into the background of the organization You find they practice what you they practice what you are they go against what you are teaching Okay, okay. Okay. I understood now. Okay. So I think in that case It's better not to associate with such You know people who have contrary standards the church can just say no Yeah, you don't have to take money from you know people who have If there's like a conflict of interest, the standards are different You can just say that you will not receive funds from you just refuse say, okay, we don't want Yeah, that way our stand will be clear Right. Yeah, sure Okay, but the case of my name I am with the resources needed to be able to Yeah, so Betsy the thing is Unbelievers can fund there's there is no problem with that but what Kennedy is pointing out is he saying You know visibly contrary standards there are Agencies which stand for the opposite of what the church stands for so when they are aware of something like that I think in that scenario we could say no, okay But otherwise if you see, you know, the earth belongs to the Lord, you know He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and also scripture says the wealth of the wicked Will be given to the righteous. So yeah, great if money comes in even from unbelievers, it's great for the church but because What can they say the church has noticed that people have contrary standards So when you notice something like that, I think it's better to refuse than to take so that's what we are saying So yeah, I hope that that is okay bet. Is that okay with you? Yeah, so yeah, but everywhere people have contrary standards. What what we're saying is okay. Let's say There is a church building fine. Okay, and we need X amount of money now There is a there's an organization very big organization and they are all for you know gay rights and gay marriage and Something that the church does not That's not the church's standard. Now if they say, okay We have big money and we will give you 50% of your you know X by two. We will give it to you. Don't worry about it Now when we know that this organization has this standard and they are coming forward to fund the church And the money will come from them to build the church I'm saying in a situation like that. It's okay to say no Now if we don't know right like what those You know who those people are and that because now let's say for example, we have a building fund People just transfer money people who attend church people who have been blessed by the church Now it's hard to tell right where the money is coming from it could come from other parts of the country And we don't know these people are what their standards are so in that scenario. I understand. It's okay People are sending that's okay, but when there is a contrary standard very clear Opposing what the church says in that situation. It's better to refuse Yeah, and also if they impose their certain criteria Okay, so, uh, yeah, but I think I that's my stand But yeah, I let you have your view All right, can be can you wanted to say something? No, I'm okay. Okay. Thank you Yeah class so I think we've tried attempted to Address some of your questions. I don't know if I've been clear at all. Okay all these difficult subjects I don't need to learn and be able to answer more systematically. So sorry if I You know, they're not communicate clearly or it's too No long-winded, but yeah, hopefully I will try and Make it clear and anything else any other comments Anything else you want to touch on before we close So, yeah, I think we get the point the church needs to be the upholder of the truth the pillar of the truth and Not compromise Even if we are under pressure and for that We really have to spend time in the truth and learn what God's word says about different topics And with regard to the COVID vaccine and how Like I believe that it's not the mark of the peace but anyway, you know, I will post it on our screen page My thoughts and then, you know, let's kind of take it from there Okay Thank you. Thank you. Okay, then let's close today if we're all done We'd just like to request One of us to please lead us in a water prayer Yeah Okay, so open to anyone Master can I print? Yes. Yes, please Precious Emily father. We thank you and praise you and honor you God for this wonderful day, which are given to us We thank you for this entire week Lord master. How you carried us and Lord master How you Lord master taught us with your word. We just thank you. We pray that father God today Whatever we learn a father God From from your servant or father God We pray that let every revelation deeply rooted in us and let those words dwell in us whole richly and let those Those words or not transform our character and father God those words give us boldness to stand strong in the midst of the Persecution let it give us boldness to preach the gospel of God Let me not compromise with the circumstances of father God let me not compromise with the with the with the situations with the With the with the with our surroundings of father God We pray that give us that grace and wisdom and boldness Lord to stand strong and let me never compromise with the truth Oh daddy, let me able to stand on the truth and also give us grace and strength and that that that that boldness You Lord raise the church raise the youth raise the people raise the nation raise the body of Christ Lord so that they can also stand on the truth of father God. Thank you father God for this revelation Thank you for this time of teaching that your peace rest upon us with father God and bless Lord master Dear pastor and all the all the students who Lord who is with us or father God bless their family Let they have a blessed week ahead of father God Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Let the Holy Spirit leaders and guidance in Jesus name. We pray Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, and yeah, God bless you everyone have a Blessed weekend. We'll connect once again next week. Okay, and yeah, we'll continue to learn from God's word Take care. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you ma'am. Thank you. Thank you. Bye