CPH Believers Fellowship - The Bible Way

SERMON: “WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST – BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN” Ephesians Chapter 1 1. YOU WERE CHOSEN BEFORE YOU WERE BORN (v.3–6) Paul begins with praise—not for what we did, but for what God already did. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world...” Church, this means: You are not an accident Your salvation is not an afterthought God had you in His heart before creation began You were in God’s plan before you were in your mother’s womb! 2. YOU ARE REDEEMED BY BLOOD, NOT BY WORKS (v.7–10) “In Him we have redemption through His blood…” Redemption = Bought back from slavery Forgiveness = Your past is erased Not by law Not by effort But by the blood of Jesus You don’t earn your salvation—you receive it! 3. YOU HAVE AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE (v.11–12) “In Him we have obtained an inheritance…” You are not spiritually poor You are heirs of God’s kingdom Stop living like a beggar when heaven calls you an heir! 4. YOU ARE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (v.13–14) “You were sealed with the Hol...

The Bible speaks very clearly against the idea that hurting or damaging your body can please God. In fact, it consistently teaches the opposite: God desires obedience, holiness, and a transformed heart—not self-inflicted suffering or ritual harm. Let’s break this down in a strong, biblical way. 🔥 1. Your body is not to be harmed — it belongs to God The apostle Paul the Apostle writes: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…?” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) 👉 This means: Your body is God’s dwelling place Damaging it intentionally is dishonoring God You are called to care for your body, not destroy it ⚔️ 2. God rejects pagan practices of self-harm In the Old Testament, God strictly forbade practices that involved cutting or harming the body as a form of worship: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead…” (Leviticus 19:28) A powerful example is in the story of First Book of Kings (1 Kings 18): The prophets of Baal cut themselves with knives to get their god’s attention Th...

Introduction Beloved church, We often celebrate great men of God like Moses and Samuel . We preach about their faith, their obedience, their sacrifice. But today, we are not looking at their victories… We are looking at their sons . Because sometimes, the greatest warning in the Bible is not from enemies outside… but from failures inside the house of God . 1) The Silent Sons of Moses – When Legacy Stops Moses, the deliverer of Israel, had sons—Gershom and Eliezer. But after his life… silence. No miracles No leadership No continuation of his mantle Leadership passed to Joshua —not his sons. What does this mean? Moses could part the Red Sea… But he could not automatically pass that anointing to his children. Ministry is not inherited. Calling is not genetic. 2) The Corrupt Sons of Samuel – When Legacy Is Destroyed Now look at Samuel . A righteous prophet. A judge. A man who heard God’s voice from childhood. Yet the Bible says: “His sons did not walk in his way...

Key Verse: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” — 3 John 1:2 INTRODUCTION Today many Christians focus only on one area of life — mostly spiritual — but neglect the rest. But God is not interested in a partial life. He wants a healthy, balanced, whole Christian. You can pray in tongues but still be mentally broken. You can fast and still destroy your body. You can preach but have broken relationships. You can serve God but be financially careless. God’s desire : A complete life transformation — Spirit, Soul, Body, Relationships, and Resources . If one area is weak, the enemy will use it as an entry point. 1) SPIRITUAL HEALTH Foundation: Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” What is Spiritual Health? Consistent Bible reading Daily prayer life Growing relationship with God Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit Problem Today: Many believers are: Emotionally active bu...

That’s a strong and necessary question—because if we’re honest, many churches today celebrate Jesus Christ, but don’t always follow His most radical, uncomfortable teachings. Let’s not soften it. Here are truths Jesus spoke then and now that many churches quietly ignore: 1. “Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross” (Matthew 16:24) Jesus didn’t call people to comfort—He called them to death of self. Today’s problem: Church often preaches: “God will bless you” “God will make your life better” But Jesus said: Lose your life Die to your desires Follow Him even into suffering The gospel is not self-improvement—it’s self-crucifixion. 2. “You Cannot Serve God and Money” (Matthew 6:24) Jesus directly attacked materialism. Today’s problem: Prosperity is preached louder than holiness Giving is often tied to receiving blessings But Jesus warned: Wealth can choke your soul Rich young ruler was told to give up everything A rich church is not always a faithful church. 3. “Love Your Enemies” ...

This is one of the most mysterious and debated passages in the Old Testament—1 Samuel 28:3–25, where King Saul consults the medium of Endor and appears to speak with Samuel. Let’s approach it carefully from biblical theology, not speculation. First: The Theological Problem The Bible consistently forbids contacting the dead: Deuteronomy 18:10–12 condemns necromancy. Isaiah 8:19 says: “Should not a people inquire of their God?” So the tension is real: If God forbids it, how did this happen? What Actually Happened? (Three Main Views) 1) Samuel Really Appeared (Most Literal View) Many conservative scholars believe: It was actually Samuel, not a demon. Why? The text plainly says “Samuel appeared” (not “a spirit pretending”). The message was true and prophetic: Saul would die the next day (fulfilled in 1 Samuel 31). The medium herself was shocked (v.12), suggesting: This was NOT her normal demonic trick. Theological Explanation: God sovereignly intervened and allowed Samuel to appear—not...

Galatians 6 is not just a closing chapter—it is Paul’s final trumpet blast. Everything he argued in the letter now lands in real life. Grace is not theory. It must produce visible transformation. 1. Restore, Don’t Reject (Galatians 6:1–2) Paul begins with a powerful command: If someone falls, restore them gently—not with pride, not with judgment, but with humility. The church is not a courtroom. It is a hospital for the broken. But there’s a warning: “Watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” If grace saved you, then grace must flow through you. Don’t expose the fallen—restore them. Don’t gossip—carry their burden. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.” The true law is not Moses—it is love in action. 2. Examine Yourself, Not Others (Galatians 6:3–5) Paul confronts pride head-on. Stop comparing. Stop pretending. Stop boasting. Each person must test their own work. God is not measuring you against others— He is measuring you against truth. You may...

The church in Galatia was being influenced by false teachers (Judaizers) who were saying: “Faith in Christ is not enough. You must also follow the Law of Moses (like circumcision) to be saved.” This was a serious distortion of the Gospel. So Paul writes Galatians with strong emotion because: The core message of salvation by grace through faith was under attack Believers were slipping back into legalism (trying to earn righteousness) They were mixing grace + law, which Paul says destroys true freedom That’s why in Chapter 5, Paul draws a clear line: LAW vs GRACE, FLESH vs SPIRIT, SLAVERY vs FREEDOM 1) Stand Firm in Freedom (v1–6) Paul begins with a bold declaration: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!” Don’t go back to slavery under the Law If you depend on circumcision (law-keeping) → you are obligated to keep the entire law Trying to be justified by law = falling away from grace True Christianity is: Not external rituals But faith working through love 2) Warning Against Fa...

Galatians 4 is deeply emotional and pastoral. Paul moves from theology into a heartfelt plea. 1. From Slavery to Sonship (v.1–7) Paul explains that before Christ, people were like children under guardians—slaves to the law and elemental forces. But when the “fullness of time” came, God sent Jesus: Born under the law To redeem those under the law So we might receive adoption as sons Now we are no longer slaves, but sons and heirs. And the proof? The Spirit cries within us: “Abba, Father!” Salvation is not religion—it is relationship. 2. Warning Against Returning to Bondage (v.8–11) Paul is shocked: “How can you turn back again to weak and miserable principles?” The Galatians were going back to: Legalism (law-keeping for righteousness) Religious rituals (days, months, seasons) Paul fears his labor was wasted. Backsliding is not just sin—it is returning to slavery after tasting freedom . 3. A Pastor’s Broken Heart (v.12–20) Paul becomes deeply personal: “Become like me” (free in Chris...

1. Powerful Summary of Galatians 3 Galatians 3 is Paul’s explosive theological correction to a church drifting away from the Gospel. Paul confronts them with a shocking question: “Who has bewitched you?” (Gal 3:1) Core Message: Salvation comes by FAITH, not by LAW The Holy Spirit is received by faith, not by works Abraham was justified by faith — even before the Law existed The Law was temporary, given as a guardian until Christ came Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse on the cross Now in Christ: No Jew or Gentile distinction No slave or free No male or female All are ONE in Christ Jesus 2. Why Was Paul So Angry? Paul’s tone in this chapter is intense, direct, and even confrontational. Reason for His Anger: The Galatian believers were: Turning away from grace to legalism Believing faith in Christ was not enough Adding works of the Law (circumcision, rituals) for salvation This wasn’t a small mistake — it was a distortion of the Gospel itself. Paul’s Concern...

Galatians Chapter 2—this chapter is not gentle; it is a battlefield of truth vs compromise. “NO COMPROMISE: JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, NOT BY LAW!” CONTEXT OF GALATIANS 2 The Apostle Paul the Apostle is defending the true Gospel against false teachers who were adding Jewish law (circumcision) to salvation. The issue: Is Jesus enough? Or do we need Jesus + Law? 1. THE GOSPEL IS NOT NEGOTIABLE (Gal 2:1–10) Paul goes to Jerusalem and meets the leaders, including Peter the Apostle. Even though pressure was there, Paul declares: “We did NOT give in… so that the truth of the gospel might remain!” Revelation : Gospel is not culture-based Gospel is not tradition-based Gospel is Christ-centered ONLY Titus (a Gentile) was NOT forced to be circumcised Salvation is not by religious rituals 2. WHY PAUL REBUKED PETER (Gal 2:11–14 ) This is shocking. Paul publicly rebukes Peter. What happened? Peter used to eat with Gentiles freely But when Jewish leaders came… He withdrew out of fear Even Barnabas got infl...

கேள்வி: இயேசு பேதுருவிடம் சாவியை கொடுத்தார், பவுலிடம் எழுதுகோலை (பேனாவை) கொடுத்தார் என்று ஊழியர்கள் சொல்கிறார்கள், இதன் பொருள் என்ன? இது மிகவும் ஆழமான கேள்வி மற்றும் இன்றைய திருச்சபை புரிந்துக் கொள்ளவேண்டிய முக்கியமான கேள்வியுமாகும். இன்றைய திருச்சபைகளில் காணப்படும் குழப்பங்களுக்கும், உள்வட்ட சண்டைகளுக்கும், காரணம் இவ்விரு விஷயங்களை சரியாக புரிந்துக்கொள்ளாமை ஆகும். பாஸ்டர், போதகர், மற்றும் மூப்பர்களுக்கு ஒரு வேண்டுகோள்: ஒருவேளை, இதனை படித்துக்கொண்டு இருக்கும் நீங்கள் ஒரு பாஸ்டராகவோ, போதகராகவோ, அல்லது சபையில் ஒரு முக்கிய முடிவுகளை எடுக்கும் நிலையில் இருக்கும் ஒரு மூப்பராகவோ, நிர்வாக பொறுப்புள்ளவராகவோ இருந்தால், இந்த விவரங்கள் உங்களுக்குத் தான். உங்களுக்கு இவ்விவரங்கள் பிடித்து இருந்தால், பயனுள்ளதாக இருந்தால், உங்கள் திருச்சபையின் பொறுப்பாளிகளுக்கு அனுப்பி படிக்கவையுங்கள், அவர்களும் பயனடைவார்கள். இதைக் குறித்து ஒரு சுருக்கமான பதிலை பார்ப்போம். அறிமுகம் இன்று சபையில் இரண்டு வகை மக்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள்: அதிகாரம் வேண்டும் (Keys), ஆனால் சத்தியம் (Pen) வேண்டாம் சத்தியம் வேண்டும் (Pen), ஆனால் அப...