PLOVDIV MISSION TALK (15 mins)

Isaiah 61:1-2a​:- ​The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed
me;he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
● Jesus read this scripture in the synagogue (​Luke 4:18-19​), one of the first times we
see him preaching publicly that is recorded in the bible, at the beginning of his
ministry.
● Holy spirit comes upon you for a purpose, that purpose is the same, however the
plans and the paths he takes us in will be different for each one of us.
● Today I want to speak to you about ‘How to be in Ministry’. You might be like, that is
not what i am, i don't think that is my calling, I am not qualified or have doubts about
things, But let me correct you, the moment you receive the HolySpirit and the
anointing comes upon you, it comes with a purpose (as mentioned in Isaiah 61).
● I want to give you 5 things the Holy Spirit gave me in my own life, what He taught me
of how he wants me to be in ministry.

1. Humility​:-
1 Peter 5:6​ - ​Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so
that he may exalt you in due time.
➤​ ​Normally I have no expectations when i go to minister anywhere, I say to the Lord
“whatever you want me to do, I am happy to do it Lord”.
➤​ You will be surprised where God takes you when you are humbled before him, the
opportunities God will open up for you. It is literally like God holding you and leading
you by the hand, literally!
Philippians 2:3-5​ - ​Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility
regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own
interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in
Christ Jesus,
➤​ St. Paul is asking us to have the same humility as our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ had, even though He was God He humbled himself to the point of death on a
cross.

2. Obedience​:-
1 Timothy 2:4​ - ​No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs;
the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer.
➤​ Here St. Paul comparing our lives to that of a soldier’s life.
➤​ So then what does a soldier do? A soldier is focused, not getting involved in the
world much but dedicated to please his commanding officer;in our case the
commanding officer is the Lord Jesus. Do whatever he has brought to you whether it
be the smallest thing or greatest thing. Where does our allegiance stand? If it is with
Jesus then we have no shame in even doing even the simplest thing in ministry.
➤​ Also this means we obey the men of God who are in charge over us, we take their
guidance as the instructions they received from the Lord and then we follow it. Simple
as that. This is honouring the Lord.
3. Prayer​ ​Life​:-
Luke 5:16​ - ​But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
➤​ Jesus withdrawing to the wilderness;quite often we see that he moves to a private
place to pray, after the sermons, all night long and early in the mornings, etc.
➤​ ​Soji achan:- I had the privilege of staying with Fr.soji, he is the head of the
AFCM/Sehion in the UK, He often taken time out isolating himself before certain
ministry, also first thing in the morning He goes to the chapel and speaks face to face
with Jesus, and even throughout the day doing rosary, consuming the word as much
and so on. ​1 Corinthians 11:1​ - ​Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.​ ​We are
called to imitate the men of God in our lives who are an example for us​.
➤​ ​Have you seen surgery lessons at uni, what junior surgeons do? They shadow the
senior surgeon, and have to just observe for long years before they actually do an
operation. In the same way somebody has to teach us the ways of God and how to,
even in our spiritual life.
Ezekiel 3:10-11a​ - ​He said to me: Mortal, all my words that I shall speak to you
receive in your heart and hear with your ears;then go to the exiles, to your
people, and speak to them. Say to them, “Thus says the Lord God”;whether
they hear or refuse to hear.
➤​ When you receive the word of God in private, at first the word is for me, and for
me to understand and obey and after that i can release it to others.
➤​ ​Have you noticed how when some people speak there is so much power in their
words, this is because God just seems to breath on the words they speak.
➤ ​Analogy of favour with someone:- if I ask My friend to come to a stranger’s house
he will, because he trusts me and will show the same favour he shows me to them, in
the same way, when you invest in a ​personal intimate relationship​ with the Holy
Spirit and ask him to go somewhere with you, He will!
Rather than asking him as per protocol, there is something different about someone
in relationship with Him asking!

4. Holiness/ Purity/ Chastity/ Parishudhi​:-

1 Timothy 2:21​ - ​All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will
become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready
for every good work.
➤ ​When we are clean and pure like the special vessels, then God can use us
anytime he needs us, ready for any and every good work.
Joshua 3:5​ - ​Then Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves; for
tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
➤ ​Yes we do things because of the mercy and grace the Lord Jesus gives us,
However there is a special consecration God requires of us as ministers of God!

5. Sacramental life​:-
➤ ​Have you heard the phrase ‘Fire follows Blood’, what it means is this, in the old
testament they used to make sacrifices of animals and then literally fire would come
from heaven and burn the sacrifice! In the same way when we come before Jesus in
confession, once again the blood of Jesus becomes the sacrifice for our sins. And
 then the Holy Spirit comes upon us in power.
Ephesians 1:7​ - ​In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
1 John 1:9​ - ​If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
➤ ​What I realised about attending mass daily is that it keeps me in Holiness, for me I
literally think like this:- I have an appointment with Jesus at 6pm and I prepare my
heart for this, looking forward to it.

● As I conclude, I want to share with you a testimony that happened 7 years ago. I had
a hindu friend at school and i remember he was going through some serious trouble
at home and also worries about his future. I remember giving him verses from the
bible. He messaged me last week, after 7 years of what i wrote down for him. Then I
asked him how the Word helped him all these years in his life...(then speak the rest
of the story)...Notice how the simple act of giving someone bible verses 7years ago
by HolySpirit’s inspiration is still impacting him even now?
● What I want to leave with you is this my friends:- ​You are a walking talking breathing
POWERHOUSE of the Holy Spirit​, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead
lives in US!
● Conclude with Prayer