SYNOPSIS FOR SERMONS AND MEDITATIONS
OCTOBER
By V.Rev.Thomas P.Mundukuzhy Cor Episcopa
(A Renowned Writer And Publisher. Author of many Christian Devotional Books. Sunday School Director of American Diocese, Malankara Orthodox Church.)

1.	One cannot serve two masters of opposite values faithfully at the same time like God and Mamon - God and money: Galatians 1:10; Matthew 6:24. One cannot give undivided loyalty or total allegiance to both (Exodus 20:3-4; Matthew 6:24; Luke 14:25-27). Narrow way X Broad way; sheep X goats; wheat Xtare; Jehoad X Baal; warm X cold; Christ X Barabas; God X Mamon. No person can travel in two directions at the same time. a. You cannot serve God and mamon: Judas, Ananias b. You cannot serve God for mamon: Simon: Acts 8:18-22 c. You can serve God with mamon: Barnabas: Acts 4:34-37 d. You can serve God or mamon: St. Gregorios.
2.	Christ is our Master. In worldly life, we are counted as slaves.
3.	Wealth is not our master. Should have sinceriety and truthfulness in utilizing wealth. Selfishness/ crazy love for wealth will lead to forgo the love to God: Matthew 22:37; Luke 14:26. When God loves us in full heart, we have to do the same: Jeremiah 32:41. Moth and rust destroy the physical wealth; and robbers steal. Have treasures in heaven: Matthew 6:19.
4.	Wealth distracts our concentration: It is weighty; to hoard, to keep, to give account. No sleep: Ecclesiastes 5:12; Root of all evil: 1 Timothy 6:10. Dangers of wealth: Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30; Mark 10:17-31.
5.	The Pharisees, the money lovers, did not like the Lord's comments and ridiculed Jesus; their self-justification; they are just actors, not doers.
6.	The supreme value that a person places on money (what is highly esteemed among men) is an abomination in the sight of God: 1 samuel 16:7; Psalm 10:3; Proverbs 6:16-19; 16:5. God knows our heart.
7.	Every one, including the Pharisees, who follows Christ's teaching, can enter the kingdom.
8.	Do not divorce and commit adultery: Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. Do not divorce faith. Serving two masters is like divorcing and marrying another one. Do not go back to the old situation - to idol worship or wretched life.
9.	Wealth is not bad: Isaac blessed Jacob to have wealth (Genesis 27:28). Rich people without wealth is: 1 John 3:17; James 5:1-5. Richness is not the greatest blessings; joy and peace are: Psalm 4:7-8.
10.	Do not trust in uncertain riches: 1 Timothy 6:17. Trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy: 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Be faithful even inleast things.
11.	Sharing the wealth gives peace of mind. Faithfully handle the wealth with accountability - stewardship. Use wealth to help others.

MARK 10:1-9

1.	Jesus continued His teachings along Judeah and beyond. Great multitude followed Him.
2.	Pharisees tested Jesus by asking questions: Matthew 19:3.
3.	Jesus answered with a question from the Scripture: "What did Moses command you?"
4.	The purpose of Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 5:31; 19:7) was to restrain divorce, not just to write a certificate and then leave.
5.	Marriage is for life long (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). The Law made this provision because men would not obey God's will.
6.	The relationship between God and Israel is like that of husband and wife.

LUKE 9:37-45

1.	Great multitude followed when Jesus came down from the mountain.
2.	The disciples could not cast out the devil / cure the only son of a man who approached Jesus for cure.
3.	Jesus healed the boy.
4.	The disciples could not understand the incoming death of Jesus.

ACTS 21: 17-26

1.	From Jerusalem, Paul went to James, the brother of Jesus (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19; 2:9) and told him and the elders there about his work among the Gentiles.
2.	The leaders rejoiced over the news but worried about Jewish hostility.
3.	Concern about Paul's teachings about the Jewish Law kept by the Gentiles.... the Gentile believers did not have to keep the Law to be saved.
4.	To avoid a dispute (1 Corinthians 8:9), Paul purified himself along with four other men by shaving head (Numbers 6:2-8) and paying the expense ( Numbers 6:10-12).

COLOSSIANS 1:21-29

1.	Renconciliation through Jesus Christ.
2.	Sin separated us from God, but Christ's death reconciled us.
3.	Jesus makes us blameless in His sight.
4.	We have to continue in the faith all our lives: Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:7.
5.	Like Paul who received a stewardship to preach the Gospel, we should also preach Christ: 1 Corinthians 2:2.
6.	We are all workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1) and in "His working which works" in us.

NUMBERS 29:35-40

1.	Unique set of sacrifices for the seven day Feast of Tabernacles: Leveticus 23:33-44.
2.	A sacred assembly on the eighth day - no customary work - have a burnt offering ... one day a wek for God.
3.	Moses taught the Israelites everything the Lord commanded.

1 KINGS 8:22-30

1.	Solomon's dedication prayer: He stood before the altar in the presence of the assembly, spread out his hands toward heaven and prayed.
2.	Solomon entreats the Lord to completely fulfill His promises to David.
3.	He then calls for the Lord to be attentive to the prayers offered in the new temple and to forgive sinners who worship there.
4.	We are the tmple of God ( 1 Corinthians 3:16). We should be sanctified and then receive His blessings.

PSALM 42

1.	Meditations of Korah sons: song of the heart to be with God.
2.	Sufferings endure when away from God and the temple.
3.	Spiritual thirst (vv.1-5); Psalm 63:1; 34:2; 143:6; Romans 9:26; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (Pilgrim feast: Exodus 23:17; Leveticus 23:2).
4.	VV.6-11: Agony continues as prayer continues. The Lord is a contineous source of comfort during day and night: Job 35:10.
5.	VV. 5, 11: Trust God.

MATTHEW 22:34-46

1.	Subdue Sadducees, Pharisees and Scribes.
2.	Jesus silenced the Sadducees.
3.	The greatest commandment.: Love God as well as fellow being: Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:10; 1 Timothy 1:5.
4.	Jesus corrected their understanding of Jesus as son of David: David called "Lord" (Psalm 110:1): Jesus would not be a human son of David.
5.	No one answered Jesus properly and left Jesus alone.

ACTS 2:22-29

1.	The Jews refused to continue listen his defense and protested.
2.	Paul was brought amidst them to be examined under scourging.
3.	Paul revealed that he is a Roman citizen by birth.
4.	When the commander and the crowd heard that Paul is a Roman citizen, they all withdrew from him.

1 TIMOTHY 6:13-21

1.	Paul exhorts Timothy to keep all commandments and virtues faithfully until the second coming of Jesus.
2.	Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Revelations 17:14; 19:16.
3.	Do not trust in uncertain riches: Pride and excessive dependence on wealth (Psalm 52:7) are not good.
4.	God is our source of wealth.
5.	Do good and support worthy causes: Luke 12:23; 18:22.
6.	Be a guardian of faith: preserve it and pass it on..
7.	Those who teach contrary views stray: 1:3-7; 6:20-21.
8.	Christians in various names: Disciples, brothers, Man of God (through baptism and conformation): 6:11.

LEVETICUS 2:1-3

1.	Grain offering, the poor man's burnt offering, as every one may not have birds, but at least some grown grain.
2.	The man's gift to God come from the fruit of his labor.
3.	Oil moistened flour represents the presence of God.
4.	A portion of the grain offering belongs to the priest: Exodus 29:27; Numbers 15:19-21.

ISAIAH 40:27-31

1.	God is faithful.
2.	Wait for God rather than depend upon human strength.
3.	God delivers: gives power to the weak, increases strngth.

PSALM 46 (Martin Luther's Psalm)

1.	VV.1-3: God is our refuge and strength so that we don't have to fear.
2.	VV.4-7: The constant flow of the gracious blessings of God, i.e.., river (Psalm 36:8), and the presence of the holy place of the tabernacle, etc., assure us that God is our refuge.
3.	VV. 8-11: By making wars cease resulting in peace (Micha 4:1-13), God proves that He is our refuge.
4.	Eternal God is our refuge: Deuteronomy 33:27.
5.	Six cities given to Levites to escape: Joshua 20:2, 7-8. 1. Kadesh in Galilee (Holiness) 2. Shechem in Ephraim 3. Hebron in Judah 4. Bezer in the wilderness 5. Ramoth in Gilead 6. Golan in Mannassah. 6. What are these cities to us?: REFUGE: 1. R: Rejoice (Psalm 118:24); Repent (Matthew 3:2); Redeem: Galatians 4:5 2. E: Edify one another: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 3. F: Fellowship: 1 John 1:6 4. U: Understand : Daniel 10:2 5. G: Gather together: Mark 13:27 6. E: Enjoy: 1 Timothy 6:17.

1.	In all first three Gospels, this incident is narrated: He is rich, young (Matthew 19:20), and ruler, but not satisfied ... he followed the rules, but not enough. Some attend services, fast, etc., bot don't do any good to others. They forget the grace of God (Ephesians 8:9); live in sin (James 4:17). Depart from evil and do good: Psalm 34:14.
2.	Approached God: When disatisfied, go to Him: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).. the sweetrest verse in the Bible.
3.	Called Jesus, "Good Teacher" - a kind of flattery! Jesus reminded that all goodness must come from God: Matthew 19:16-17.
4.	Jesus points out the importance of following commandments: Don'ts ..... and honor.
5.	Lack one thing: What is that for each one of us?
6.	Give to the poor: A. Show compassion and concern for others : Give ourselves, time, talent, and treasure. B. Concern of ourselves: Explore, expect, and expand: Bible reading, prayer, fasting. C. Self-denial: Christ on the cross - self is transformed. Insecurity must be replaced with faith; realize the acts of God and the facts of life.
7.	Main obstacle is wealth: all three Gospels point out this.
8.	Solve the problems by following Jesus: Confession and absolution.
9.	Impossible with men are possible with God. Many things are impossible for men: History (wars and destructions); News: suicide, border disputes, shootings and killings; Personal experiences: family life, tests, job interviews. But nothing is impossible to God: converted the illiterate to be His Apostles, fed the needy, raised the dead, healed the sick, resurrected, and so on. Our cooperation need to make it possible: prayer, confession, communion.
10.	Eternal life is God's gift: Eternity, not quantity, but quality. Only God is eternal. Life with God is eternal life. There is no sin: fulness of goodness. God is light (1 John 1:5); God is love (1 John 4:8); fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Commandments are the guidelines to acquire eternity. Do's and dont's. Deny self and submit to God; share wealth; deny personal desires and aspirations and follow. Jesus did the father's will (John 6:38).

MATTHEW 19:13-15

1.	The disciples thought Jesus had more important things to do rather than entertain the children: Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15.
2.	Humility and simple faith of children: characteristics necessary for enetering God's kingdom: 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:2.
3.	Do not neglect children.
4.	Jesus laid His hands upon the children.

ACTS 21:27-40

1.	The Jews stirred up the crowd against Paul.
2.	They seized Paul and arrested in the temple.
3.	The commander intervened.
4.	Paul spoke to them in Hebrew.

1 CORINTHIANS 5:6-13 The first few chapters of this epistle deal with

1.	Factionism within the Church
2.	Man living in incest,
3.	Greed that leads to sue each other in the public courts, and
4.	Marriage and Virginity (Chapter 7).

Here the emphasis are:

1.	Like a little leaven (Hosea 7:4; Matthew 16:6, 12; Galatians 5:9; 2 Timothy 2:17) makes the whole lump of dough rise, any sin corrupts the world.
2.	We have to get rid of all malice and wickedness and to live in sinceriety and truth.
3.	Do not have association with immoral people.
4.	God only judges those outside the Church.
5.	We must not have evil within us and to keep our Church "holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27).

GENESIS 42:28-36

1.	Joseph restored their money.
2.	They reported to their father.
3.	Jacob's bereavement over his sons: v. 36.

PSALM 84

1.	The longing soul for the living God.
2.	The desire to reside permanently in God's presence
3.	Seeking God who gives strength is always worth the effort.
4.	A door keeper - a worshipper - in the house of God gives full satisfaction.
5.	Like sun, God provides light, heat, energy and protection. The righteous gets all kinds of grace from God.

ISAIAH 43:16-25

1.	God showed His power in Exodus 4:9; 14:16, 21-22.
2.	God delivers in new ways.
3.	Do not burden God with our sins.
4.	God blots out sins; those who transgress will suffer.

1.	Not only the act of murder is forbidden, but the angry spirit itself is wrong. God judges the hidden crimes: 1 John 3:15; James 2:20; 3:6. Sinful thoughts lead to murder: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17. When angry, no digestion or sleep. Calm down. Do not hurt others even with words. When Jesus got angry over the fig tree or at the temple, no revenge there; no fight. Our character is important than our actions. When character is better, we do our best. Anger, ridicule, irritation... all make us uncomfortable.
2.	We have to reconcile with our neighbors before we go to worship God: Job 42:8; 1 Timothy 2:8; 1 Peter 3:7; Proverbs 25:8; Luke 12:58-59. Get right with God. If division, try to come together immediately: Ephesians 4:26. Repent and confess. Have clear conscience and good feeling; nip at the bud; curb at the beginning. Reconciliation is the key: 2 Corinthians 5:19. a. Reconciliation of those who are shattered internally; b. Reconciliation of those who are estranged each other; c. Reconciliation of all to God. We have to forgive the sins of others and be forgiven: The Lord's Prayer.
3.	SERVE: A. Christ emptied Himself taking the form of a servant: Philippines 2:7. B. Son of Man came to serve: Mark 10:42-45. C. Christ washed the feet: John 13:13-15 D. Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 E. Enabling Ministry: Help to come to themselves for reconciliation with God. He inspires hope (look); He inspires confidence (trust); He awakens (desire and faith).

LUKE 12:13-21

1.	The oldest brother gets a double portion of a family inheritance along with the responsibility to the welfare of the mother and unmarried sister. Younger heirs receive single portion: Genesis 25:29-34.
2.	Have concern for right attitude rather than about money.
3.	The rich man is only concerned about him: Six "I" s and four "MY's"; no "OURS" or "THINE's".
4.	The person who trusts in wealth makes a foolish investment. He thinks that: Wealth is for hoarding (v.18); for personal pleasure (v.19); wealth can satisfy the deeper needs of human life (vv.20-21).
5.	Such people are "not rich toward God": 1 Timothy 6:18-19; James 2:5; 5:1-5.

LUKE 12:49-59

1.	Jesus' death would force people to choose for or against Him and thus kindle the fire (conflict between good and evil) of division between those who follow Him and those who do not. ... faithful and unfaithful families ... so diifferences of opinion...trials and tribulations to all followers.
2.	Jesus' death is His baptism. Believers will suffer persecution; unbelievers, the fire of judgment.
3.	We should realize the time of His coming through the signs we see, watch, and experience.
4.	We should choose what is right: Proverbs 25:8; Psalm 32:6; Isaiah 55:6. Give more importance to spirituality.

1 PETER 2:15-17

1.	Do good and make quite those who refuse to understand and accept the Gospel.
2.	The believer is free from sin and free to live according to love (Matthew 22:37-40) by making His will our will: Luke 22:42.
3.	Honor all; have concern for the welfare of all people; love everyone; give ultimate loyalty to God and respect civil authorities.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11

1.	Those who do not have right relationship with God which comes by God's grace through faith will not inherit the kingdom of God.
2.	Those who are listed have to forsake sin and confess for inheritance.
3.	Jesus redeemed several of them by the Holy Spirit: washed, sanctified and justified: cf. Revelation 1:5.

EXODUS 12:43-51

1.	The foreigners are ineligible to eat the passover.
2.	The sojourners and the hired servants are also ineligible.
3.	Only the circumcised are eligible.
4.	All followed the Lord's commandment.

JOB 23:1-7

1.	Job expresses his imagination to find God, rather than respond to his friends: Eliphaz, Bildad Zophar.
2.	Job's confidence to present a good case.
3.	Job is bitter because of his suffering and the false accusations of his friends.
4.	Job is confident to find justice as God is righteous: Psalm 97:2.
5.	Job's goal is to restore his communion with God.
6.	God has compassion for all who seek Him sincerely: Psalm 103:13-14.
7.	God would deliver the upright person for ever after hearing his case.

ISAIAH 52:1-15

1.	Prerpare for the salvation.
2.	Redeem from sin freely: 55:1-2
3.	If we remain in sin without corrections, we blaspheme God.
4.	The messengers bring good news that the Lord has based his holy arm for that warning in progression: "Listen" (51:1), "Awake" (51:17; 52:1); and "Depart" (52:11).
5.	Through the Suffering Servant, the Lord delivers the whole world from sins.