Sunday Worship | 6th September 2026 | Pas. Joe Ashok | Pas. Ray William

Worship

The service opened with an extended worship set focused on asking God for “fresh fire,” surrendering personal needs, and offering Him a fresh sacrifice. The worship leaders encouraged the congregation to raise their voices and declare their faith over Bangalore, their lives, and the situations they were facing.

A recurring theme was that worship is more than singing: “My life is the worship you want to hear.” The set also included declarations that the seasons were changing and that Jesus is Lord.

Sermon: Honor and the Story of David

After thanking the worship team, the speaker preached from 1 Samuel 24, focusing on David sparing Saul.

The speaker used an Indian passport as an illustration: a passport may grant access to another country, but it does not give its holder authority to change that country’s rules. In the same way, access, influence, or opportunity does not automatically mean permission or a God-given assignment.

Although David had been promised the throne, he refused to kill Saul when Saul entered the cave where David was hiding. Even cutting a piece of Saul’s robe troubled David’s conscience. The sermon emphasized that another person’s wrongdoing is no excuse to act dishonorably—and that a tempting opportunity can be a test of character.

Key points included:

• Honor begins with reverence for God and respect for the boundaries He sets.
• Trust God’s timing. Don’t compromise your values because waiting is difficult.
• Faith can mean standing still, not just taking action. David’s years in caves were part of his preparation.
• Leadership is a test of character. Don’t let the pain you’ve suffered turn you into the person who caused it.
• Discernment isn’t dishonor. You can recognize that a leader is wrong without deciding that they have no value.

The sermon included several lighter moments. The speaker joked about forgetting which side of the road to drive on in the United States and getting a speeding ticket. He also asked the congregation not to post his “thousand trees in Eden” illustration on Facebook as a new revelation.

Another joke concerned worship leaders who might try to protect their place when a talented young musician joins the team. The speaker’s point was that leaders should make room for the next generation rather than cling to a position.

Dedications and Prayer

The service included a dedication for baby Reuben, framed as a commitment by the whole family—not only the parents—to raise him in faith.

The congregation also prayed for Evan and Gemma as they prepared for their wedding, and offered prayers and blessings for Cha, who was approaching his 50th birthday.

Announcements

The congregation was asked to pray for a meeting about the ministry’s rent and to support the house of prayer. The speaker also mentioned:

• An upcoming retreat
• An all-night worship and intercession gathering scheduled for September 18
• The ministry’s recent visit to a church in Ballari
• Regular worship and Bible study activities

People Mentioned

Pastor Joe Ashok, Sachin, the guest preacher and founder referred to in the subtitles as “Cha” or “Racha” (identified in the title as Pastor Ray William), Abraham and Shema, baby Reuben, Evan, Gemma, and Bethany.