No Condemnation

26 Feb 2013 by Donna Uning CM – 

The misty highway leading to Serian seemed to go on forever as cars speed by heading towards the outskirts of Kuching. Perhaps they too, are rushing to the Sunday church service at St. Helen’s Church.  The highway closed to a two-lane road and a giant durian monument stood in the middle of the roundabout tells me we are there.

In less than an hour we have reached the parking space of the church; Rev. Trevor Tinda, Priest-in-Charge of St. Helen’s stood at the church steps greeting members to the Christmas Sunday service. The sound of the shofar calls the people in.

 

 

“As you draw people to Jesus, people will not be condemned,” says Rev. Trevor, speaking to the congregation. The mission statement for the church from Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”  If you direct your attention, focus, and sight to the Lord Jesus, there is no condemnation.

Peter focused on Jesus; that is why he could walk on water. “As we focus our attention to Jesus, we will do great and mighty things in this place,” he says. There is no condemnation when you feel comfortable coming to God. “I know you will continue to do so in 2013,” he continues.

In Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son tells us the about the son who went home because he was hungry, not because of repentance. There were no cell phones, emails and such, “How does the father know the reason for his son coming back?” he asks. Not knowing the motive of his son, the father ran to him. “That is the kind of God I want you to know. Don’t feel condemn, come in boldness,” he tells. You can do great and mighty things.

The clothes he placed on the son mean the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives. We are righteous because of Jesus, not because of what we do. As long as you are human beings, you will make mistakes. “I want you to know the God that you worship is love,” he says.

The ring given to the son represents authority. “God puts you into authority. He restores and reinstates your authority,” reminds Rev. Trevor.

The sandals which the father gave the son; in those days, people who wear them were high ranking people, most common people were barefoot. When God gave you sandals, He reinstates you as His family member. That is the kind of God we worship.

 

 

When you are with Jesus, all you want to do is please Him. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Where can you find a God like that? Come in boldness. He doesn’t want you to be afraid; knowing that the death of Jesus has justified you.

In Mark 5, the woman with the issue of blood refused to be condemned by the law. By law, she cannot go to Jesus or others. She was confident that Jesus will not condemn her. There is love, compassion and joy. As you come, I want you to know that God loves you. “Focus on the Lord. Where the Lord is, there is the Holy Spirit,” he says.

2 Corinthians 3:6 says we are all ministers. “He has made us competent as ministers of the new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (NIV).

“I am full time, but we are all ministers,” he indicates. The new covenant is through the blood of Jesus; the old covenant is through the law, God’s demands. In the new covenant, Jesus has done everything. He is seated at the right hand side of the Father. Seated means there is nothing else to do, it is finished or telesai. The right hand side indicates power. He has made us sufficient as ministers. 2 Corinthians 3:6 also says the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

In 2 Corinthians 3:9, when we depend on the spirit of grace, it will give you life. You will see breakthrough. 

 

Make sure that you are on the right mountain. The law given on Mount Sinai is death. The Holy Spirit that came on Mount Zion is life. Mount Zion is the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:18, 22; Psalm 128:5). The Lord blesses you out of Zion, not Sinai.

By grace, you have been saved through faith. Remain on the right mountain and God will give you miracles, he ends his message.

In the past three years, St. Helen’s Church has opened its doors for many traveling outside of Serian from nearby towns, apart from Kuching.  According the Rev. Trevor, he would wait for the people to come before starting the service.

 

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