The Great Mystery

This mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:32

The Lord's speaking in the prayer meeting of the family gathering of a brother a day before his marriage is "Christ and the church, the great mystery." This meeting was an impromptu arrangement and the decision for me to minister the word was just arranged the day after I was confirmed to attend the wedding meeting on 28th Nov. Today is the 27th Nov.

It was 23 Nov, last Monday night that I received a message from a brother, who is the bridegroom to be, that he and his dad wanted me to attend the wedding meeting. Though I had no plan to attend considering the situation this weekend with Thanksgiving Conference, Gospel Meeting, Young People Meeting and Young People Gospel Meeting with a pre-training fellowship on Monday and the the Full-timers' training following. On top of all these, the spread of Covid-19 and the risk of traveling added more reasons not to travel, and also with my children exams coming up. But, on that night as I went out to pray as usual, for over an hour I could pray only for one matter, concerning this brother's marriage, and nothing else. I was indeed struggling for sometime until the Lord made it clear to me. Finally, at the end of the prayer I was confirmed deep within that I should definitely attend the wedding meeting, despite all odds. The Lord has a purpose for me to be there, therefore, l decided to attend.

Once I was clear and I told my wife about it, she also agreed in fellowship, though she was hesitant before. Then, I confirmed to the brother. Immediately, travel arrangement were made, though I tried to meet my own traveling expenses, the brother requested me that he would bear all the expenses. Then flight tickets were booked for round trip, Delhi-Coimbatore. And all other practical arrangements were made immediately. All practical matters felt into place one by one.

It was the Lord arranging everything for His divine purpose. As I was informed that I need to minister the word, I looked to the Lord for the word. First, the Lord showed me to minister on a Christian life, then He further showed me on the church, and finally the message with Bible verses became very clear. Then it was very clear to me that I should minister on the great mystery, Christ and the church. The Lord confirmed it during my prayer time and Bible reading time the following days.

A burden brought in the light, and the light developed into a revelation, and the revelation developed into words, and the words into a message. The message was based on these Bible verses:

Ephesians 5: 22-33

Colosians 1:26-29; 2:2; 4:3, 

Ephesians 3:4-6

Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16

Today, as instructed and burdened by the Lord, I ministered the word in a pre-wedding prayer meeting before the marriage. The message was on the mystery of God, Christ, and the mystery of Christ, the church. I expounded on the Christ, the Christian life, and the church. After the meeting, brothers and sisters came to fellowship with me on their being supplied by the ministry of the word. The bride's father came to fellowship with me personally that the moment he heard the word he was so thankful for the timely word. His concept was completely changed after he heard the word. Initially he thought it was needless for a "Pastor" to sermon, but it turned out that a brother ministered the timely word. Another brother came and testified to me that his vision after studying Acts has been confirmed by the message spoken tonight. I promised to introduce him to the brothers in the church in Chennai. 

May the Lord continue to sow Himself as the Seed of the divine life to all who heard the word for His testimony in Coonoor and to all the localities where these relatives have come from.

Praise and glory be to Him!