Many people of all ages and from all walks of life testify each year to their lives having been transformed through hearing the WORLD of GOD at the Maramon Convention. The needs and yearnings of these people to know God more deeply are effectively met in the different programmes that are presented on the river bed. The beauty of the surroundings, its peaceful setting, its spiritual aliveness, combine to produce an ideal setting for renewal, and restoration. The outstanding teaching, preaching, fellowship and worship make the Maramon an event not to be missed.
Faithful believers, that is believers committed to upholding the principles of Scripture, have a key role to play in every age. Never in history has their influence in the home, Church and nation been more needed, especially now as we enter the Third Millennium. But are we equipped and armed with the word of God for the 21st Century. Looking back at the last decade I feel that we have neglected God's word badly.
One of the evidence for this is the increase in the number of cult groups which attract young people. To them the Bible is ancient and irrelevant. They do not know the requirements of the Lord for their lives yet the stork in the sky obey God's ordained Nature's Law for its existence (Jer. 8:7). God uses bird to teach us His truth.
Second Timothy 3: 16-17 states that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting (counselling) and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work". God has breathed into the scripture His very life. When we read and apply it we are taking His very breath into us. God has given us the Bible to teach us about Himself, to give us practical instructions on how to live and equip us completely with everything we need to know inorder to live a godly life.
Hearing the word for merely imparting know 1 There are 3 things that Ezra did at the Water Gate edge and information is not enough. Hearts and sprits have to be touched as well if that knowledge is to make a real impact on people's lives. That is the goal for everyone coming to Maramon. The anointed word of God instructs the mind and illumines the mind, o think God's thoughts after Him. It inspires the heart and ignites the spirit. This is what happened to the Israelites when they heard the word of God after neglecting it for years in the Book of Nehemiah chapter 8.
Ezra and Nehemiah put the word of God first in the life of the city. It is of no use having a Church with a great wall around it, if it lacks God's word. It is a dead Church. The primary task of the Church and its minister is the preaching and teaching of God's word. The sprit of God uses the word of God to cleanse and revive the hearts of God's people, then they must respond positively to His word. Ezra as priest did 3 things for himself prior to his teaching ministry. (See Ezra 7:10)
1. He devoted his time to study God's word. He prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord.
2. He observed God's Law. In other word he applied the word of God to himself before he taught others.
3. He committed himself to teach the Law of God to his people Israel. What an example of a Bible teacher. He walked his talk before he talked his walk. In Nehemiah ch.8:1 we read that Ezra built his palpit at the Water Gate. In Nehemiah ch.3 we see 10 gates in the wall. Nine gates needed repair but the Water Gate was in perfect condition and therefore no work was done on it. In the Bible there are many references to 'Water'. The 'drinking water' is a picture of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39) and the 'cleansing water' is apiculture of God's word (Eph. 5:26). The water Gate is spiritual picture for the well of God's word. The good condition of this gate shows that God's word is perfect and it does not need any repair. It was only appropriate for Ezra to set up his pulpit at this gate and for all Israel to assemble at this gate. The Maramon Convention is the water gate of the Mar Thoma Church where all people will assemble for 8 days to drink, to be cleansed and to be refreshed by the matchless word of God.
There are 3 things that Ezra did at the Water Gate.
1. He brought the book 8:1-4
2.He opened the book 8:5-6
3.He read and explained the book 8:7-8
This also happens at Maramon when the servants of God break the bread of God's word. Another thing we learn from this chapter is the 3 basic responses from the people.
1. They understood the word 8:1-8
2.They rejoiced in the word 8:9-12
3.They obeyed the word 8:13-18
The Whole person-the mind (understanding), heart rejoicing and will (obeying)-must be captured to God's truth. God's word must be understood before it can enter the heart and release its life changing power. Notice that the word 'understanding' is mentioned six times (vv. 2-3, 7-8, 12-13). It is important to understand God's word. It is not enough to read, receive or understand but we must also rejoice. We can not rejoice if we do not understand. It is essential to rejoice in God's word. Without understanding and rejoicing we can never obey the word. 1 Jn 3:24 says " Those who obey His commands live in Him and He in them. These three responses are the ingredients in any spiritual revival. Revival can come only through the word of God. Reformation is the product of a revival. The Mar Thoma Church was birthed in the word of God. The word of God made available in the Malayalam language opened the eyes and hearts of our Church Fathers who formed a revival movement that led to the reformation of the Church. The great awakening in the second millennium gave us our present Malankara Church. What she needs in the third millennium is a deep cleaning so that she can be a spotless bride for the Lord.
In Nehemiah's day the completion of the wall concluded with the reading of word by Ezra. Hearing the word brought conviction of sin, confession of sin, cleansing of the heart and celebration among the believers. Chapters 8-9 of the book teaches us how to put truth into action.
In this new millennium we should plan to neglect some less important things in life rather than neglecting God's word. For this be ready to give yourself to the studying of God's word for the whole week on Pamba river bed. Saturate yourself at the Water Gate with the Book that is all about Him. Feast on the Bread offered to you so that you can be empowered to share this Bread with others. Come to Maramon-God' Water Gate- so that we can arise and build the wall and gates of Christ's Church, to spread the gospel to the unreached areas. Let us go through the open gate with the word to the starving world. The response of the people after hearing the word was "Amen,Amen". They bowed and worshipped God in adoration because they understood the word. (Neh. 9:6). This should be our Truth in Action.