Balbir Suffi-Christian Gospel singer & lyricist

India

Pastor Jagpal Singh Dhaliwal

Punjabi Masihi Church

Vancouver,  CANADA

Pastor Subhash Gill-Morning Star Church

London, UK

I. The Faith of Abel

Hebrews 11:1 gives us the definition of faith and it tells about  the heroes of faith, who lived by faith, and died for it  and therefore it is a fit pattern for the believers to imitate. Did you notice this race of faith did not start with Adam  because he was the first one to “off-track” from this race? It begins with Abel, the son of Adam, one of the first saints, and the first martyr for religion.

And what was his mistake?  He by faith on God offered up a more acceptable sacrifice than his brother Cain. To make it acceptable was not his will, but the will of Almighty God who knows the hearts and the intentions of the hearts.

After the fall, God opened a new way for the man to return to him in religious worship. This is one of the first instances that is on record of fallen men going in to worship God. Now God must be worshiped by sacrifices, a way of worship, which carries in it a confession of sin, and a profession of faith in a Redeemer. When Cain and his younger brother Abel went to worship God, Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, but Cain’s wasn’t. Instead of Cain changing himself and getting right with God he became angry with his brother and in a deceptive way he killed him. Thus he was first murderer of the world what is striking is that the cause of the murder wasn’t personal, political, social or financial It was religious.

A remarkable difference between the worshipers and their sacrifices.

• Cain was the elder brother, but Abel was the preferred.
• It is not seniority of birth, but grace that makes men truly honorable.
• Abel was an upright person, a righteous man, a true believer; Cain was a formalist, had not a principle of special grace.
• Abel acted under the power of faith; Cain only from the force of education, or natural conscience.
• Abel brought a sacrifice of atonement (Sin Offering), brought of the firstlings of the flock, acknowledging himself to be a sinner who deserved to die, and only hoping for mercy through the great sacrifice.
• Cain brought only a sacrifice of acknowledgment, a mere thank-offering, the fruit of the ground, here was no confession of sin, no regard to the ransom; ignoring personal need of God. This was an essential defect in Cain’s offering.

A similar kind of story was told by Jesus in the New Testament, but in His own words. There was a Pharisee, who leans to his own righteousness; at same time there was a publican, who confesses his sin, and cast himself upon the mercy of God. They both went to the temple to worship, Publican was accepted and Pharisee was not (Lk.18:10).

“…God spoke well of his offerings” Heb. 11:4. Notice the word Gifts or offerings in verse 4 which shows that this was not a matter of one sacrifice or one time event but all the sacrifices of that Abel had offered.

The original record is in Gen 4:4 tell us “Abel brought fat portions… and the LORD respected Abel and his offering”. What we give unto the Lord that represent our lives before him. That’s why in Matt.6:21 Jesus says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” God gave witness to the righteousness of his person, by testifying his acceptance of his gifts. This, very probably, was attested by fire from heaven, an emblem of God’s justice, consumed the offering, it was a sign that the mercy of God accepted the offerer for the sake of the great sacrifice.

By it He, being dead, yet speaketh. He had the honour to leave behind him an instructive speaking voice. What does it speak to us? What should we learn from it?

[1.] That fallen man has to go in to worship God, with hope of acceptance.

[2.] That if our persons and offerings be accepted, it must be through faith in the Messiah.

[3.] That acceptance with God is a peculiar favor.

[4.] That those who obtain this favour from God must expect the envy and malice of the world.

[5.] That God will not let the injuries done to His people to remain unpunished, nor their sufferings unrewarded.

[6.] That God would not let Abel’s faith to die with him, but would raise up others. For in the next verse we read about Enoch. But before we look at the life of Enoch let me announce the good news, while the blood of Abel cries out for justice, Christ’s blood offers forgiveness, cleansing and acceptance by God.

II. The Faith of Enoch Heb. 11:5

Gen. 5:22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.

23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.

24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Sometimes people separate spirituality from taking care of house matters. But Enoch was taking care of his family matters and pleasing God too. These two are not against each other, instead; if you please God you will please your family too. The Bible says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)

Enoch walked with God, that is, that he was really, actively, progressively, and perseveringly religious in his conformity to God. He was translated, that he should not see death, nor any part of him be found upon earth; for God took him, soul and body, into heaven, as he will do those of the saints who shall be found alive at his second coming. Before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He had the evidence of it in his own conscience, and the Spirit of God witnessed with his spirit. Those who by faith walk with God in a sinful world are pleasing to Him, and He will give them marks of His favor, and put honor upon them. In Heb.11:6, it says that without this faith it is impossible to please God, without such a faith as helps us to walk with God, an active faith, and that we cannot come to God unless we believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. We must believe that God is, and that He is what He is, what He has revealed Himself to be in the scripture, in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. The Greek word used here “ekzeteo” means seek diligently, seek after, seek carefully, inquire diligently and require. By the fall we have lost God; we have lost the divine light, life, love, likeness, and communion. God is again to be found of us through Christ, the second Adam. God has prescribed means and ways wherein he may be found; to with, a strict attention to his oracles. You must seek him diligently; they must seek early, earnestly, and perseveringly. The Word of God says, then shall they seek Him, and find Him, if they seek Him with all their heart; and once they have found Him, as their reconciled God, they will never repent the pains they have spent in seeking after Him.

There are four Secrets of answered prayer:

1. Please God

2. Come to God in right attitude and with right motives.

3. Believe in Him

4. Believe He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

III. The Faith of Noah

Heb.11:7. The ground of Noah’s faith-a warning he had received from God of things as yet not seen. He had a divine revelation; he was forewarned of things not seen as yet, that is, of a great and severe judgment, such as the world had never yet seen, and of which, there was not yet the least sign. This secret warning he was to communicate to the world, who would be sure to despise both him and his message. God usually warns sinners before he strikes. The Noah’s faith had influence both upon his mind and practice.

(1.) Upon his mind; it impressed his soul with a fear of God’s judgment: he was moved with fear. Faith first influences our affections, then our actions.

(2.) Thus excited by believing God’s threatening, moved him doubt, he met with the scorns and reproaches of a wicked generation. He did not dispute with God why he should make an ark, nor how it could be capable of containing what was to be lodged in it, nor how such a  possibly so great a storm can come. His faith silenced all objections, doubts, and reproaches and set him to work in earnest.

Rewards of Noah’s Faith.

(1.) Hereby himself and his house were saved, when a whole world of sinners were perishing about them.

(2.) Hereby he judged and condemned the world; his holy fear condemned their security and vain confidence; his faith condemned their unbelief; his obedience condemned their contempt and rebellion.

(3.) Hereby he became an heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

He was possessed of a true justifying righteousness; he was heir to it: and this His right of inheritance was through faith in God. As ever we expect to be justified and saved in the great and terrible day of the Lord, let us now prepare an ark, and make sure we would be in that ark of the covenant, and try it speedily our level best that many may be able to enter in it, before the door be shut, for there is not salvation in any other. The Ark is a type of the Church and Jesus Christ Himself is building it through his believers on this earth. To enter in it: One has to repent and believe on Jesus Christ, baptize (1 Peter 3:20-21; 1 Cor.10:2) and commit himself or herself to walk with God daily. This is a faith-race run by fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ who is the author and perfecter of our faith.

Christ’s Servant,

Pastor Jatinder P. Gill

Dear Pastor Jatinder Gill,Congratulations on the release of this wonderful book which I have just read. I believe this is a powerful tool to bring unbelievers to Jesus Christ and to disciple even the new believers that as they will see and understand the basis of our faith. I am more excited because this book is in Punjabi and since I come from a Punjabi background, I understand its need. May the lord continue to use you mightily and bless your endeavors in his Kingdom. Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.

Anil Kant-Lyricist, Singer & Worshiper INDIA

Dear Friend,

If the truth sets us free (and it does), what you read and receive in this book will change your life forever.  Why?  Because the Word of God prepares us to live both now and for eternity.  The principles covered by Pastor Jatinder Gill will encourage and inspire you to live a life that matters!You will be blessed indeed as you open your heart and receive God’s Word for yourself. Blessed reading as you hear from Pastor Gill – a man who loves God and loves people from the depths of his heart!

Rev. Bill Kirk

Assistant Superintendent of the

New York District Assemblies of God

I am very happy that Rev. Jatinder P. Gill has compiled this book on Biblical teachings in the Punjabi language.  This is the first resource for Punjabi Christians around the world in their native tongue.  This is an excellent book for pastors, teachers, evangelists, Bible College students, missionaries, and soul winners to reach people from different religious backgrounds and disciple them.  In addition, this book can be translated into other languages in India. Food of the Spirit deals with all subjects that believers should know to grow in Jesus Christ so that they can become soul winners.  It can be used as an evangelistic tool for those that have a heart to win souls.  I am convinced that Food of the Spirit will be a useful resource to those that call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is the heavenly manna that came down to fill the souls.  The world is full of hunger and is searching for an answer.  Jesus Christ is this answer. Rev. Gill sheds light through this book to many who are seeking an answer in their life.  Let Food of the Spirit be a tremendous resource for those who are diligently seeking God.

Dr. Victor Joseph

President, Southern Asia Fellowship of Assemblies of God

President, Bethany Bible College and Agape International Ministries

As I read the book, “Ruh Di Khurak” (Food for the spirit) I was deeply blessed. You are truly one of the pioneers among our Punjabi brothers, who has taken this bold step of putting the word of God in the right order, and put it in print, so that the simplest of believers can understand it and even an evangelist or a pastor in a remote village can use as a resource in his teaching materiel for
the people. The truths you have mentioned, are doctrinally correct laid out in proper order so while the wise will still seek the deeper meaning, the simple be fed and satisfied by the food of the Spirit. Millions will call you blessed, dear brother for being a missionary statesman for our people.

I’ am personally honored to write these few lines not only about the blessing of the “Ruh Di Khurak”, but your labor of love, in preparing such a feast for the saints of India and for giving them the gospel food  in the Punjabi platter. May the Lord bless you, and the great ministry of discipling He has given into your hands. These things once as an evangelist I did not consider very vital to
impart, but now as an apostle of the Lord among nations, I deem imperative.

Pastor Stephen George All Nations Temple Church

Texas, U.S.A.

This biblically-based invaluable resource is designed to help emerging ministry leaders improve their pastoral leadership teaching skills. It will provide them with the tools they require to speak with authority into someone’s life and how to bring about real change. I trust that everyone who reads this book will be propelled into a lifetime of spiritual reproduction as they pass on what God has
given them to bless countless others.

Pastor Pritam Singh Sandhu

Pastor, South Asian International Fellowship

Singapore

After reading this book it seems that Pastor Jatinder Gill has put whole ocean into a small pot. From this book not only new believers will be benefited but ministers of the Word also get well organized Bible based revelation for their ministries.

Rev. Nasir Iqbal

Hope In Christ International

T.V. Evangelist (TBN) USA

When meeting Pastor Jatinder P. Gill, we quickly recognized his diligence, dedication and determination to minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a church planter, he realized the need for Punjabi language resources, especially for soul winning and discipleship, and was inspired to write, Food For The Spirit.  This is a practical and powerful resource to reach multitudes in the valley of decision and encourage them in their daily walk with the Lord.

Steve T. and Deborah Kulish

Intercultural AG Missionaries