Praise the Lord. Good morning everyone. Uh welcome to uh class. Welcome to our warm welcome to our in-person students, our online students and those who are going to join us through our e-learning program. Um are you all excited to study this course? So what's the name of this course? Yes, it's called ministers foundation. So welcome again to the class on ministers foundation and I'm glad all of you are here. [Music] And I believe that we are going to have a wonderful time learning together. Uh just before we begin, I just like to mention I'll be giving a lot of extra notes and information that is extra apart from the publications that we will be studying in this course. So you know since there'll be a lot of additional content and insights I'll be giving you important that you follow through with the publication and if it's not there you can take a note of it. Uh pastor says that Hindi sound is not good. I think it's not good. Oh, sorry. Hindi is not uh there for the online students. It's only for the in-person students. Yes. Uh yeah. So, please take down those notes. Uh usually people say that and you may have already heard that I I'm known for my assessments. My assessments are very hard. Uh I from the smiles I've I I've kind of gathered that you've already heard about it. But my assessments are not hard. So basically if you listen to my lectures, you take good notes and you include everything I say in the class along with the course notes that will exactly come for the assessments. So don't say the assessments are hard. It's just that I've included a lot of extra information in my lectures. Which is not there in the course notes. So I'm just telling you in advance so you can take down good notes. So in this course we'll be studying three uh APC publications. [Music] The second one is receiving God's guidance. And the third one is code of honor. So I'll do a real good in-depth study in in this publication fulfilling God's purpose for your life. And then when we studied the second publication receiving God's guidance, uh a lot of that content is already would have been taught in this publication the first one that we're looking at. So I'll just mention it and then I will just cover what is not covered in the first uh publication. So, are you ready for the class? Yes. Okay, let's just pause for a word of prayer. Father, we thank you, God, that you are a God who has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. And your plans for us are good, perfect, and um God, there's something that you've planned even before the foundations of this world. And we thank you that you created us to fulfill your plan and your purpose here on the earth, oh God. And we thank you that you look up to us, God, to partner with you, to co-labor with you, to fulfill your divine plan and your purpose for our lives. So even as we study God, we just want to pray that you would open our hearts to receive from you. Help us to know what is your plan and your purpose for our lives. Help us to take hold of it just like you have taken hold of us. and help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfector and the finisher of our race. So that we can run our race and fulfill our purpose that you have for us with perseverance and endurance. Oh God, we pray that you would remove every spiritual dullness and sleepiness and lethargy. And we pray that you would open up our spirit, hearts, and our minds to receive from you, God. Open our eyes to see the truth in your word and open our ears to hear you, Holy Spirit, even as you speak to us. Thank you for hearing our prayer in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Okay. So, does God have a plan and a purpose for our lives? How many of you agree? How many know if you don't agree? It's okay to not to agree. How many of you say I I don't think God has a plan and purpose for my life? So good. All of us know that God has a plan and purpose for our lives. But what do we need to know? Is it enough to know just God has a plan and purpose for our lives and sit back? What do we need to know? Yes. What is that plan and purpose? Right? [Music] We need to catch God's dream for our lives. There is no greater purpose than to live God's purpose for our lives. There's no greater satisfaction than to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. And there's no greater adventure than to walk according to that purpose. I'll repeat that again. There's no greater purpose than to live God's purpose for our lives. There's no greater satisfaction than to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. And there is no greater adventure than to walk according to his purpose. Now, is fulfilling God's purpose for our life easy? How many of you say it's easy? Okay, I have one hand. No, it's quite challenging. It's even difficult. But we know that, you know, God's plan for our lives is something that he's planned for us. And because God has planned it, it has to be what? It has to be. Come on. Some answers. Great. Fulfilling. Okay. Perfect. Yes. Sorry. Okay. It has to be good, right? Because God is good and his plans for us has to be good. Yes or no? And we also know that, you know, like he said, God's plans for us is perfect because God himself is a God of perfection and order. and he does everything perfectly and in order. Now, have you heard people when you ask them, hey, what do you think is God's what is your plan for your life? Or what do you think is God's plan and purpose for your life? Some of you might be seated here. You might say, "I don't know." It doesn't matter because at the end of this course, at least you will know what's God's plan and purpose for your life. So even as we learn this course, I want you to, you know, make it part of your life and say, "God, what is your plan for my life?" If you don't know, for some of them say I think God's plan you know uh it's a mystery for me I don't know what it is sometimes we feel we have to twist God's arm to find out you know what his plan and purpose is for us Sometimes we feel we just can't know God's plan and purpose for our lives. But does God reveal his plan and purpose for our lives? Yes, he does. So let's establish this fact first that God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. So you can follow through with your course book you know the textbook and whatever is not there you can write it down. [Music] Now we need to understand something about God. That God is a God of plan, a God of purpose, a God of design and a God of objectives. [Music] He does not do things randomly. He does not make decisions without a thought. He doesn't just say one fine day, one morning. He doesn't just say, "Hey, today you know where should the sun rise from? He doesn't work arbitrarily. He doesn't work by chance. And how do we know this? Look at Genesis 1 verse one. What does it say in Genesis 1:1? [Music] Yes. In the beginning, God created. So when we look at creation, what do we see? What do we see when we see creation? Amazing beauty. [Music] Don't we see order? Yes or no? One season moves into another. The sun rises, the sun sets, the moon comes up, the sun the stars shine. The seasons come in right order. It's not like God says, "Oh, you know, in Bangalore, they had such a bad summer." So, instead of monsoons, let me, you know, get winter to come for them. No, God is a God of order, he does things not arbitrarily by chance, but by order. Even our bodies are in perfect design. One day my eye is not here and the next day it's not here and the third day it's not in my leg. It's just in the right place. Your heart is also not moving around in your body. It's in one place. So everything is placed perfectly and works in order. Amen. Amen. So uh the Bible shows us that God is a God of order. Look at Psalms 33:1. Can somebody read that loudly? Who has the mic? There's no mic. Okay, there's no mic. Okay, I'll read it out. The council of the Lord stands forever. the plans of his heart to all generations. So what does this verse tell us? What does this verse tell us? Come on, it's very simple. Okay. What is it talking about plans? Firstly, God has plans. And what are those plans? Yes, those plans are forever through all generations. Some of us don't like to plan. Yes or no? We just like to do things as they come. But I have good news for you that God has plans for everything. [Music] God has plans for your life. He has plans for the world and he has plans for generations to come. And look at God's knowledge. Look at Acts 15:18. It says, "Known to God from eternity are all his works." What does this mean? Known to God from eternity are all his works. What does it mean? Come on, give me some answer. He knows everything till the end. Okay, he can do anything. It means that God knows everything ahead of time. Even before creation, he knows you and I will be here in 2025. He knows everything from the end to the beginning. He knows everything from the beginning to the end and the end from the beginning. Did God know even before Adam and Eve sinned that they would sin? Yes. Did he have a plan of redemption already in place? Even before Adam and Eve sinned? Yes. You know, even before the foundations of the world, the the work of the cross was already finished in the heart and the mind of God. The book of Revelation tells us that the lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. This means in God's heart or in God's plan, God's plan of redemption was already completed even before Adam and Eve sinned. So nothing surprises God. So even before you and I were born, he would he God knows who will be here in APC Bible College in the year 2025. So what is God's plan and purpose? Now God has a master plan and God has a specific plan. So the Bible reveals that God has a master plan or that master plan is also called as an eternal or a general plan. Oh, he and he also has a specific plan that means specific for each of us individuals. So what do you think is God's specific plan or his master plan or his eternal plan? Come on. What do you think is God's eternal general master plan? [Music] Is God interested in building a kingdom? Before that, what is God's general plan, master plan? It's okay. You can say it. Even if it's wrong, doesn't matter. Yes. To save the whole world. all men and women could be saved and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. That is what we see from the very beginning where even Adam and Eve sinned and God curses them. Even there he reveals a plan of redemption that the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. [Music] So the from the very beginning God's plan was to save mankind that all men and women should be saved and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. So now you know what is your plan and purpose for your life. Yes. Your plan and purpose is not just okay I received salvation. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. I've got a ticket to heaven. Sit back and wait for the flight to take off. No. [Music] But God's plan for us, his master plan for us is that we share the gospel so that all men are saved. And God also has a specific plan. So what is that specific plan? It's specific to each of us. So he some of us can become engineers, doctors, teachers, chefs, you know, uh pastors, uh evangelists, missionaries, but whatever we are doing, we fulfill that specific plan. But also fulfill the master plan or eternal plan to share the gospel. So let's read Ephesians chapter 1 9 to12. All of you have that in your notes. So I want you all to quickly read through that quietly please. Ephesians 1:9-12 So what that verse 9 start saying, he has made known to us what? The mystery of his will. That means his will for us is unknown. But he's made it known to us. That means God's will for us is not hidden. He reveals it. [Music] And it says here according to his good pleasure. It means that God is happy and excited about his plan for your life. So God's plan is not hidden from us. He reveals it. And God is excited and happy about his plan for your life. And look at what it says. It says, "Which he purposed in himself. That means God did not ask the angels or anyone else what should the plan be for your and my for your life and my life but he decides in his own heart that is what means purpose in himself. [Music] And verse 10 says that in the fullness of time he will bring together all things in Christ. This means at the right time God will bring all believers those in heaven and those on earth together in unity in Christ. Now look at verse 11. It says, "In him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according the counsel of his will. Predestined means what? It means something God decided you know before it happened. So if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can believe that his plan and purpose for your life is good and it's not, you know, an accident. So twice in this passage, Paul says, "According to the purpose of him, this reminds us that when we follow his will, we're living out a plan that God himself has designed. So tell your neighbor, you are living out the plan that God himself has designed. So remember that he's a God of plan, purpose, design, and a God of objectives. and whatever he does is intentional. Now let's look at Ephesians chapter 3 11 which we will look at God's eternal plan and purpose. So in Ephesians 3:11 it says according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. So here we see something important that God has a master plan. He has an eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ and he's still carrying it out today on the earth. So what is that eternal purpose or plan? What is it? To save mankind, salvation for all mankind. And how do we confirm that? We look at 1 Timothy 2 3 and 4. It says it's good, acceptable in the sight of God our savior who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. So what does this verse tell us? It says that God that that what is good and acceptable to God. What is good and acceptable to God? What is good and acceptable to God? Come on. That all people to be saved. And look at that verse. Yes. Come to the knowledge of the truth. Come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So if you're praying for the salvation of your family members or friends or loved ones, then you can pray with this confidence. You can say God this is your good, pleasing and perfect will that all people be saved and all people includes my family members, loved ones, friends and you can you know state them by name and you say, "God, I pray that they will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." So, you're declaring God's word and you're declaring his promise. And we know that God does not go back on his word and promise. Amen. And we also know that God is unfolding his eternal plan, master plan every day. Now, God does not only have a master plan for all of humanity. He also has a specific plan for each person. Now let's read Psalm 139:16. It says, "Your your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed, and in your book they were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. The message Bible says like an open book. You watch me grow from conception to birth. All the stages of my life has spread out before you. And the days of my life all prepared even before I lived even one day. Isn't that beautiful? Our lives are like an open book before God. And before you even took your first breath, And even before you lived even one minute, God knows the entire plan of your life. Now sometimes we feel God has forgotten us. You know when we face obstacles, when we see no progress, We may think God is angry with me. He doesn't care. But this verse reminds us that God has already planned every day of our life and his plans are good. Amen. Amen. Tell your neighbor God's plan for your life is good. So if something good is not happening in your life, you can't blame God because it's not God's doing. It may be because we have stepped outside God's plan. Maybe through doing wrong choices or sin or we have drifted away from God and it can be an open door for the enemy or for life difficulties to affect us. But the good news is when we turn back to God, he begins to fulfill his plan and purpose for our lives again. Now God has a blueprint for your life. So tell your neighbor, God has a blueprint for your life. What does it what does that mean? What does blueprint mean? It's already planned. What is a blueprint? Or if you generally talk about a blueprint, what is it? already designed the final one and you know if you are building this building then you know how many pillars, windows, doors, where is everything everything is there in that blueprint. So a blueprint is a detailed design. your life. So you can't say God, give me that blueprint. Give me that paper. It's not in a paper. But we know that his his knowledge is perfect. Now, God did not create you just to exist on the earth because your parents wanted you. So, you just live the course of your life and go. But God created you with a purpose. Tell yourself, "God created me for a purpose. And he did not only created you with a purpose, but he designed you in a way to fulfill that purpose. Amen. So Dan didn't say okay I have a purpose for you. You go find out for yourself. [Music] But he designed you, wired you, made you in a way you can fulfill it. So your personality, your gifts, your skills, your life experience are all part of how God has prepared you for that purpose. [Music] So we need to press towards God's purpose. So look at what Paul writes in Philippians 3 verse 12. Please read that everyone quietly. Am I too fast? Okay, I'll go slow. Okay, if I'm fast, you can just raise up your hand. Feel free to tell me. Okay, if I'm fast. Uh, if you did not understand anything, please pause and ask me. I can explain. Any questions so far? Philippians. We're looking at Philippians 3:12. Any questions so far? Okay. So Paul writes in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I've already attained or I'm already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. So what is Paul saying here? You can put on a fan. Somebody put on the fan for them please. It's very hot for them there. Somebody can if you want fan you can. Yeah. It's hot for them. Thank you. So Paul is saying, what is Paul saying here? God has a plan and a purpose. No, he doesn't want the fan. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. What is Paul saying here? Huh? What is Paul saying here? What is he pressing on to? [Music] to take hold of the very reason Christ took hold of me. So that means Paul is saying God took hold of me for some purpose, for some reason and you know I am taking hold of that as well. So that should be our attitude as well that we actively seek and hold on to God's plan for our lives. Let's look at another scripture passage. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10. So everyone please read quietly by yourself Ephesians 2:10. Online students I have posted the APC publication on the classroom page. So you can access it from there. Ephesians 2:10. Ephesians. So who are we according to this verse? Who are we? We are God's workmanship. And what is God doing in us? Good works. Yes. And when did he plan these good works? [Music] Beforehand. When is the before? Even before you were born, even before the foundation of the world. And what is our part in this verse? What does it say? What is our part? [Music] You have to walk in them. What is a them? Walk in them. So what do you walk in? You walk in what? Huh? You walk in what? Yes. You walk in the good works. So you're created for good works. Are you all excited? Okay, you can go and drink a nice cup of tea and come back. We'll meet after the break. Thank you.