Word of Grace Church, Pune

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Seen, Heard, and Held: The Story of Hagar We are in a series exploring women from the Bible, and today we turn to a surprising and often overlooked figure—Hagar. She has been called many things: a problem, a mistake, a consequence of poor decisions. Her story is wrapped in pain, rejection, and injustice. A slave. A foreigner. A woman used and discarded. And yet, hers is one of the most powerful encounters with God in all of Scripture. Hagar becomes the first person—not just the first woman—to whom the Angel of the Lord appears. Her story unfolds in three defining stages: The Crisis, The Contempt, and The Crossroad. 1. The Crisis Hagar enters the biblical narrative in the middle of a deeply human struggle—a crisis of faith, infertility, and moral compromise. Sarai, unable to bear children, turns to a culturally accepted but spiritually misguided solution. Instead of trusting God’s promise, she leans on human reasoning. She gives Hagar, her servant, to Abram in an attempt to produce the promised child. This wasn’t just a decision—it was a reflection of misplaced trust. Sarai knew about God, but in that moment, she didn’t trust His nature. How often do we do the same? When life feels delayed or uncertain, we’re tempted to look for quick solutions: Overworking Endless scrolling Emotional escapes Seeking validation from the wrong places

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Disruptive Faith: The Esther Challenge We often imagine faith as quiet, agreeable, and polite. Many of us were taught that faith means patience, endurance, and submission. And yes—faith often requires endurance. But Scripture also shows something uncomfortable: Sometimes faith disrupts. Faith can look like: · Refusing what dehumanises · Risking what feels safe · Reforming what culture calls normal When Jesus announced the Kingdom of God, His message disrupted systems, challenged injustice, and brought those on the margins—especially women—into the centre of God’s story. The Book of Esther begins with exactly this kind of disruption. Not with a miracle. Not with prophecy. But with a woman who says no. And that refusal sets redemption in motion. Vashti: The Courage to Refuse In Esther 1, King Xerxes commands Queen Vashti to appear before a drunken gathering of nobles to display her beauty. She refuses. For centuries, Vashti was often portrayed as rebellious or disobedient. But a closer reading shows something different. She is the only person in that chapter who preserves dignity. Her refusal comes at a cost: · She loses her crown · She loses her position · She disappears from the story

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. From the River to the Wilderness: Standing Firm in Times of Testing Last week, we began reflecting on the Lenten season — a time of lengthening, a time of preparation, a time to center our lives once again on Jesus. Lent marks the forty days leading up to Easter. In the busyness of life — work, responsibilities, gadgets, endless notifications — we can easily lose focus. These forty days invite us to slow down, to practice spiritual disciplines, and to realign our hearts with Christ. Jesus said when you give, when you pray, when you fast — not if. These are not optional extras for the Christian life. They are expectations. But today, we turn to a powerful moment in Scripture that teaches us what it means to stand firm in testing.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Don’t Miss the Moment: Rediscovering Giving, Prayer & Fasting As the weather shifts from winter into spring, we’re reminded that certain seasons call us to refocus. In the Christian calendar, this season is known as Lent—a 40-day period leading up to Easter traditionally devoted to prayer, fasting, repentance, and renewed devotion to God. The word “Lent” literally means springtime or lengthening. It represents a spiritual awakening—a time to examine our hearts and realign our lives. But here’s the honest question: If we were left entirely to ourselves, would we consistently pray, fast, and give? Probably not. That’s why seasons like Lent matter. Not because they are legalistic requirements, but because they lovingly call us back to what truly sustains us.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Biblical Principles of Beautiful Giving Giving is one of the most powerful expressions of faith — yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people wrestle with questions about generosity, especially in times when costs rise and financial pressure increases. Can we truly afford to give? And more importantly, what does God say about giving? In this message, we explore biblical principles drawn primarily from 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 — passages that offer profound insight into the heart of generosity. Through Scripture, we discover that giving is not merely a financial transaction; it is a spiritual act that reveals transformation within the heart.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. The Power of Timely Giving Money is one of those topics many of us feel awkward talking about. We’ll happily ask someone where they’re from, but asking about their income? That feels intrusive. Even in churches, conversations around money and giving can feel uncomfortable or overly private. Yet when we look at Scripture, we discover something surprising: Jesus spoke openly, intentionally, and frequently about money. In fact, nearly 15% of Jesus’ recorded words deal with wealth, possessions, giving, and greed. Out of His 38 parables, 16 directly address money and stewardship. The Bible actually speaks more about possessions than it does about prayer, heaven, or discipleship. That alone tells us how significant this subject is to God. Jesus made it clear: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our giving reveals the true temperature of our hearts.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Walking Through the Valley: Hope, Victory, and Overflow in Psalm 23:4–6 Psalm 23 is one of the most loved passages in Scripture, often quoted in seasons of peace and comfort. But its power shines brightest when read through the lens of hardship. In the first three verses, David shows us the Lord as our Shepherd—the One who meets our needs, restores our soul, and leads us into divine alignment. In verses 4–6, the tone deepens. Here, we see what happens when life takes us through trials, valleys, and opposition—and how restoration, victory, and overflow await those who persevere with God

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar passages in Scripture. Many of us memorized it as children. It is quoted at funerals, referenced in movies, and cherished across generations. Because of this familiarity, we sometimes miss its depth. What if we read it today as if for the very first time? What if we asked the Holy Spirit to reveal fresh truth through these timeless words? David, the author of this psalm, understood both ends of life—he was a shepherd before becoming a king. From obscurity to abundance, his journey gives weight to every word he writes. To gain a fuller picture, we read Psalm 23 from two translations: the ESV and The Passion Translation. Both emphasize the same powerful truth—God is not distant. He is close, personal, and actively leading us.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. The God of Increase When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip. Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez. A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man: “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…” His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty. But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.

  Be blessed as you listen to this sermon delivered at Word of Grace and do write a comment on how you have been blessed. The God of Increase When you open the Bible, most of us instinctively gravitate toward familiar and comforting portions—Psalms, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, or books like Isaiah and John. Very few of us would admit that genealogies are our favorite reading. Long lists of names can feel dry, repetitive, and easy to skip. Yet, hidden within one such genealogy in 1 Chronicles 4, we discover a powerful and life-changing story—the story of Jabez. A Name That Spoke Pain, A Life That Spoke Faith The genealogy flows uninterrupted until verses 9 and 10, where everything pauses for one man: “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers…” His name, Jabez, literally means “pain.” His mother named him this because his birth was marked by suffering. Imagine carrying that label for your entire life—being constantly reminded of pain, limitation, and difficulty. But Jabez refused to let his name define his destiny.