The fall (June 22nd, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Introduction:

Biblical definition of sin

Original Sin: Adam & Eve

Sin and the image of God:

Righteousness: God’s redemptive plan

Universality of Sin:

Creation of Man, Life before the fall (June 8th, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Anthropology:

The original image of man: Gen 1: 26 – 27

• God’s image
• Moral beings
• Spiritual beings Gen 1:27, Isaiah 43:7

The threefold nature of man: I Thess 5:23

• The body
• The soul
• The spirit

Implications of our creation:

Making sense of suffering: Part 4

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Lessons sufferings teach us:

• Suffering is a norm not an exception in a sinful world (Acts 14:22)
• This world is not our home, so do not get too comfortable here (Phil 1:21-24)
• Suffering forces us to re-evaluate our priorities in life
• Suffering refines our perspective and destroys our pride
• Suffering qualifies us to comfort others (2 Cor 1:4)

What should we do?

• Pray and trust God in difficult times (Rom 8:26, Matt 26:39)
• Be thankful for all the blessings in life, enjoy your blessings.
• Comfort others, be a blessing to those in need.

 Canonicity: How did we get the 66 books? (May 18th, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

What is Canonicity?

Why was a Canon of the Bible necessary?

The formation of the OT Canon (Dt 31:9, 26, 2 Kgs 22:8, Josh 24:26, Dan 9:2, Neh 8:2,3, Luke 24:27, 44)

The formation of the NT Canon (Luke 1:1-4)

The Apocryphal Books

Criteria for determining Canonicity

• Is it authoritative? Does it claim to be God's word?
• Is it authentic does it tell the truth about God and man? Does it contain historical or prophetic inaccuracies?
• Is it written by a prophet, apostle, or his secretary (amanuensis)?
• Is it dynamic? Does it come with the life transforming power that we expect the word of God to have?
• Was it received, read and collected by the people of God?

Biblical Illiteracy (Hosea 4:6) (May 4th, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Why read & meditate the Bible?

• It is God’s word: 2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 4:4
• It is the only solid foundation in life: Luke 6:47- 48
• It gives wisdom and direction: Psalm 119:104-105, 18-19
• It purifies our life: Psalm 119:9,11; John 15:3
• It enables us to live a blessed life: Ps 1:2,3; Joshua 1:8

Conclusion: James 1:22-25

Making Sense of Suffering – Part 3 (April 27, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Introduction

Suffering for the Kingdom of God

Our attitude toward trials and suffering: Daniel 3:16-18

The early apostles’ attitude towards suffering:

• Accepted suffering as their calling: 2 Tim 3:12, Phil 1:29, I Pet 4:12
• Understood suffering as God’s tool to promote the Gospel: Phil 1:12, 2 Tim 1:7-9
• Considered suffering as a privilege and blessing: 2 Thess 1:4-6, Matt 5:10, I Pet 4:13

Why many of us do not suffer?

Our response to different kinds of suffering

Conclusion:

Making Sense of Suffering – Part 2 (April 20, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula
Introduction:

• Three categories of suffering
• Job’s response to suffering (Chapters 1:20, 21 & 2:10)
• Job’s friend’s response:
• Their wisdom (Job 2:12-13)
• Their foolishness (Accusations)
• Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7 – 9)

“Satan is not ultimate or decisive, he is on a leash. He goes no farther than God decisively permits.” - Dr. John Piper

God is chiseling us for his ultimate purpose.

Making Sense of Suffering – Part 1 (April 13, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

• God is not the ultimate author of suffering (Gen 1)
• Result of fallen nature; (norm not an exception) (Gen 3: 17-19, Rom 8:20, 21)
• Suffering is often a result of our poor / bad choices (Numbers 32: 23, Gal 6:7)
• The relation between sin and suffering (John 9:1-3)
• Our response
• Let’s take responsibility for our sinfulness (1 John 1:9)
• Seek God’s Grace that can transform our weaknesses (2 Cor 12:9)

The work of Christ: His Resurrection (March 30, 2008)
By Pastor Francis Burgula
 The significance of Resurrection (1 Cor 15:14-18)
The proofs of Resurrection (Acts 1:3)

• The empty tomb
• The Post- resurrection appearances 
• The transformed disciples

How does that affect us?

• Our justification is complete, fully forgiven (Romans 4:25)
• We do not need to fear death (1 Cor 15:20-22, 15:51-57).
• Assurance of eternal life (Jn 14:3, 2 Cor 4:14, Tit 3:5-7)
• We can experience the power of his resurrection (Phil 3:10)

Conclusion

The Cross of Christ (March 16, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Cross: The heart of the Gospel

What made the Cross necessary?

• The holiness of God (Hab 1:13, Is 59: 1, 2)
• The love of God (1 Jn 4:10, 2:1,2)
• The sinfulness of man ( Rom 3:10, 1 Pet 2:25, Eph 2:4, 5)

Jesus loved us so much that he gave his life for our salvation (Jn 10:17, 18, 15:13)

The scope of his death on the cross:

• Universal: It is sufficient for all (Jn 1:29, 1 Tim 2:6, 4:10, 1 Jn 2:2)
• Restricted: it is efficient only for those who believe (John 1:12, Acts 16:31)

The gift of forgiveness and unconditional love (Rom 5:8) 

The nature of Christ – Divinity (March 9, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

O T prophesies that present Jesus as God (Is 7:14, Matt 1:23, Is 9:6)

Divine attributes Jesus demonstrated (Miracles)

• Eternally pre-existent (John 1:1, 14, 8:58)
• Forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7)
• Authority over everything (Matthew 10:1, 28:18)
• Accepted Worship (Matthew 4:10, 14:33, 28:9, John 9:38, John 20:28)

Jesus’ own claims (John 8:58, 10:30-32, 14:9)

John’s writings (John 1:1, 14, I John 1:1-3)

Paul’s writings (Col 1:15, 16; 2:9, Phil 2:5-6, Tit 2:13, 14)

Peter’s writings (2 Peter 1:1)

Other writings (Heb 1: 1-3, 8)

Conclusion

The nature of Christ – Humanity (March 2, 2008)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

Background & heresies

Proofs of Christ’s complete humanity

• Born of a woman (Gal 4:4, Mat 1:18)
• Natural human lineage, seed of David (Rom 1:3, Mat 1:1, Acts 13:22, 23)
• His natural growth and development: (Luke 2:40, 46, 52)
• Possession of complete human nature

Why Christ became man?

• Atonement: To die for our sins (Heb 10:4-7)
• Mediation ( I Tim 2:5)
• Redemption (Rom 3:23,24; Eph 1:7, Heb 9:12)
• Example (I Pet 2:21)

Nature of God – Moral/communicable attributes (February 17, 2008)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

• God is Holy: Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8, Leviticus 11:44, Psalm 99:9, 1 John 1:5, John17:11, Acts 3:13-14, Ephesians 4:30,    Job 42:5-6, Isaiah 6:5.
• Righteousness: Psalm 145:17, Jeremiah 12:1  
• Justice: Zephaniah 3:5, Deuteronomy 32:4 

2. God is love: 1 John 4:8, 16, Romans 5:6-8, 1 John 4:19, John 3:16

• Mercy: Psalm 103:8, Romans 9:15 
• Grace: Ephesians 2:8-10 

3. God is Good: 2 Chronicles 7:2-4, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 106:1, Mark 10:18, James 1:17, Rom 8:28.

Nature of God – Part 2 (February 10, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Omniscience: (Rom 11:33, Matt 10:29-30, I John 3:20, Acts 15:18 ff, Prov 15:3, Prov 5:21, Ps 139:2, 3)

Omnipotence: (Job 42:2, Matt 19:26, Gen 1:1-3, Dan 4:35)

Omnipresence: (Jeremiah 23:24, Ps 139:7-11. Matt 18: 20)

Conclusion

Nature of God – His natural attributes (February 3, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

God is Spirit: Jn 4;24, Duet 4: 15-19, I kings 8:27, Ps 145:18

Can man see God?: Ex 24: 9-10, Judges 13:22, Isaiah 6:1, Ex 33:29-20: John 1:18

God is Self – Existent: The uncaused cause (Acts 17:25, Num 14:21,18…etc)

God is Eternal: Gen 21: 33, Ex 3:14, Rev 1: 8

God is Immutable (Unchanging): Mal 3:6, I Sam 15: 29, Heb 13: 8, James 1:17

Incomprehensibility of God and the Trinity (January 27, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

The incomprehensibility of God - Duet 29:29

History of the Doctrine of Trinity:

Trinity in the OT: Gen 1:1; 1: 26- 27; 3:22; 11:7

Trinity in the NT: Luke 1:35; Mt 3:16-17; Matt 28: 19; II Cor 13:14

Conclusion: I Pet 1:2; I John 4:2; Jude 1:20, 21

God’s existence & man’s response (January 20, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

1. Natural revelation: Psalm 19:1-5
2. God’s unique creation: Psalm 139:14
3. Reason for Man’s rejection: Psalm 10:13
4. Revelation (Gospel) God’s choice: 1 Corinthians 1:21-23 
5. The final Verdict: John 3:19-21 
   

Existence of God (Philosophical reasons and their limits) (January 13, 2008)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

1. The ontological argument
2. The cosmological argument
3. The teleological argument
4. The Moral Argument

Revelation: Rom 1: 19, 20; 16: 25-27, I Cor 1:20-21

The first Christmas: What it meant to Magi & Shepherds (Dec 16, 07)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

The Magi: Matthew 2:1-12

• They journeyed by faith
• They worshipped him
• They gave appropriate gifts to Jesus

The Shepherds: Luke 2: 8 – 20

• They chose to personally see Christ
• They spread the news about Christ
• They praised God for the savior.

Joseph trusted God in the midst of doubts and unknowns.
Mary surrendered to God’s will completely without reservations
   The Magi did whatever it took to have a personal encounter with God
   The shepherds spread the good news not keeping it to themselves.

 The first Christmas: What it meant to Joseph and Mary (Dec 9, 07)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Joseph: Matt 1: 18-21, 24, 25. Chp 2:13, 14; 20, 21.

• A righteous man: A man who was willing to live beyond his doubts and fears

• A responsible man: He cared both for Mary & Jesus (though Jesus was not his son)

• An obedient man: Obeyed God without questions not knowing the future

Mary: Luke 1: 26-35, 38, 46 – 56.

• Was willing to be misunderstood: Greater desire to honor God than to fear people

• Her attitude towards life: (2:38) I am your servant, do whatever you want with my life.

• She rejoiced and accepted her calling:  She rejoiced that she could be part of God’s plan of salvation rather than being  stressed out.

Thankfulness is a choice (Psalm 100) (November 11, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

It is God’s will for all his children (I Thess 5:18, Eph 5:20)

Things that keep us ungrateful:

1. Taking things for granted (Ps 103: 1- 5)
2. Critical spirit or constant complaining (Phil 2:13, Ps 77:3)
3. Our pride & selfishness ( Luke 15)

The sin of being unthankful (II Timothy 3:2)

The fruit of thankfulness (Luke 17) (November 18, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

1. Contentment:  (Phil 4:11-12) : You focus on what you have instead of what you do not have

2. Gratitude: (Colossians 3:15-17): You don’t take anything for granted, you express thanks

3. Generosity: (Prov 11:25; 22:9; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) : You are not stuck with yourself and your wants, you constantly share your blessings

"Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his blessings." (Ps 103: 2)

Extending our Community (October 21, 07)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

The mindset that blinded the Pharisees (Luke 18:11-12)

We live in a world that is divided by many walls.

Who are we? And what does God expect us to do as his children?

Three lessons from the Parables in Luke 15:

1. Someone valued that which was lost
2. Someone went out of their way to search
3. There was celebration when they found the lost.

Friendship: The missing gem among Christians (Sept 9, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." – C. S. Lewis

Friendship is not: by Bill Hybels

1. It’s not trying to get someone to take care of you.
2. It is not hitching your life to a rising star
3. It is not pretending to care about someone

Jonathan and David                                                   

1. He shared personal stuff: (I Sam 18:4)
2. He defended him when he was misunderstood: (19:4- 6)
3. He risked his life in protecting his friend (20: 32-33)
4. He grieved for his friend’s pain: (20:34, 41)
5. He strengthened him and rejoiced in his success (23:16-17)

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival." - C. S. Lewis

The story of the Bible – (Aug 19th, 2007)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

From Parchments to Palmtops

• 1400 BC to 1st century AD: The original manuscripts.
• 300 – 600 AD: The 66 books identified and the introduction of the Latin Vulgate
• 1300 – 1600 AD: The invention of the printing press and translation to English
• 1600 – Today: Translations to other languages in the world. The use of Technology in spreading the word.

Why believe the Bible? – 4 (Aug 5th, 2007)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

10. The Superiority of the teachings of the Bible

• The Bible is the source of all truth
• The authority of the Bible
• The superiority of the Bible

11.  Its sufficiency for life and salvation.
12.  Its power to Change lives.

Why believe the Bible? – 3 (July 29th, 2007)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

7. Its honesty
8. The scientific foreknowledge of the Bible
9. Miracles and Martyrs

Why Believe the Bible? – 2 (July 15, 2007)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

4. Its amazing Unity
5. The fulfilled prophecies
6. Archeological & Geographical evidences

Using the modern science of probability in regards to just eight of the scores of Messianic prophecies "we find that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 10 to the power of 17."  - Professor Peter Stoner

Why Believe the Bible? – 1 (July 8, 2007)
By Pastor Francis Burgula

1. It’s claim that the message is from God (inspiration, not human invention)
2. Jesus’ testimony & External evidences (other literature)
3. The miracle of its preservation

“It’s been burned, ridiculed and outlawed, but amazingly, the more it is attacked, the more it multiplies!” – Anonymous

Qualities of a strong community – 7 (May 27, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They had a kingdom perspective. (Acts 5:40- 42)

• It is not about me, it is about God and his kingdom
• This world is not my home, I am just a passer by
• Suffering is part of our calling, its not a problem, it’s a privilege
• Kingdom conscious both at home and at workplace.
• They never stopped witnessing, because that is a life long calling.

“If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first,
it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” - William Law

Qualities of a strong community – 6 (May 6, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They balanced social and spiritual responsibilities well (Acts 6: 1-7)

• Growth always brings new challenges and tensions (Vs 1)
• They made a collective decision, involved everyone (Vs 2)
• Delegation and setting of priorities (Vs 3, 4)
• Spiritual leaders for social responsibilities (holistic view or ministry)
• Ministry for both body and soul  

"An individual gospel without a social gospel is a soul without a body, and a social gospel without an individual gospel is a body without a soul. One is a ghost and the other is a corpse."   – E. Stanley Jones

Qualities of a strong community – 5 (April 29, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They witnessed boldly (Acts 4 & 5)

• Definition and meaning of Christian witness
• Christian witness in Acts
• Common excuses for a poor witness
• The gospel according to you

“A holy life will make the deepest impression.
Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” - D. L. Moody

Three gifts of the empty tomb (April 8, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

• The gift of forgiveness:

He nailed our sins to the cross and sealed our forgiveness by his resurrection (Acts 10:43,  I Cor 15:3, 4; 14,17)
Freedom from the clutches of sin (Past)

• The gift of his presence:

Assurance of his continuous presence in our daily life (Emmanuel) (Matt 28:19-20)
He not only gave them a purpose, but also assured them of his presence.
Strength for today

• The gift of eternal life:

Death is real, but there is hope beyond the grave. (John 11:25)
Death is not the terminal; it is only a junction, a turning point.
Hope for tomorrow 

Qualities of a strong community – 4 (April 1, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They gave to God’s work sacrificially (Acts 4:32-37)

• We give because we always remember that we are given
• They did not claim personal property
• They shared everything they had
• They did this time to time - selling and sharing
• There were no needy persons among them
• Giving sometimes hurts, but always heals.

We are not cisterns made for hoarding;
We are channels made for sharing - Billy Graham

Qualities of a strong community – 3 (March 25, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They prayed together: Acts 4:23-31

• Praying people communicate with each other
• Prayer focused on God not on self (personal needs)
• The power of collective prayer
• Praying together in the book of Acts ( 1:14, 24; 2:42; 6:4, 6)
• Prayer and revival
• Helpful quotes on Prayer

Qualities of a Strong Church - 2 (March 18, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

They studied God’s word (Bereans Acts 17: 10-12)

• Examined the Scriptures every day (Acts 17:11)
• The Scriptures make us wise (2 Tim 3:15-16)
• The scripture keeps us holy (John 15: 3, Ps 119: 9-11)
• Devoted themselves to reading/ meditating the scripture ( I Tim 4:13, Ps 1:2)

Qualities of a Strong Church - 1 (March 4, 2007)

By Pastor Francis Burgula

Born Again Experience: Acts 2: 41, 47

• Monitor the membership
• Born again experience is mandatory not an option (Acts 2:38)
• Growth in the Book of Acts (Acts 2: 41, 47 b, 4:4, 5:14, 6:7…etc
• Knowing Jesus Christ personally is a requirement (John 3:1-7)
• Are you born again? (The need for commitment and clarity in relationship with God)

Biblical foundations of a community - Part 2 (February 4, 2007)

by Pastor Francis Burgula

Responsibility for each other (Acts 2: 45-47)

1. The meaning of Koinonia
2. They met together for worship at temple courts
3. They met together at homes (social life)
4. They sold and gave to anyone in need
5. Church – homes – meeting individual needs

Biblical foundations of a community -1 (Jan 28, 2007)

by Pastor Francis Burgula

Devotion for each other: (Acts 2:42-44)

• Individualism and isolation (The tragedy of our disconnection)
• The dark side of technology and electronic gadgets
• Our need for one another (God’s design)
• Our need for a common life and deeper relationships

Conclusion