By Pastor Calvin Lee
Psalm 91
Under His wings
Few points to be noted in this chapter :
Point 1 : A resounding confession
v1, v2
SHELTER of all shelters :
Most High
- He is over and above all things! Above and over every power and all authority
Almighty (El Shaddai)
- He is the great provider!
Lord (Yehweh)
- He is a covenant keeping God!
My God (Elohim)
- He is an infinite creator God!
Dwell :
Learn to live in, abide in the presence of God. Make Him the shelter of our lives. Other shelters can be torn down, destroyed. But our trust is in an unchanging great I am, unshakable God.
Point 2 : A restful confidence
v3 - v16
v4 He will cover you
(like a hen covering her young, like a shield in an armour)
- God's protection is extensive (it covers more than one expects)
- God's protection is extraordinary (it possesses a supernatural element)
@ pestilence, fowler snare, plague, terror of night, arrows
Psalm 91 has 8 divine promises for you to claim :
(1) I will save you
(2) i will Cover you
(3) God Command angels to protect you
(4) I will Rescue you
(5) I will Protect you
(6) I will Answer you
(7) I will Deliver you
(8) I will Satisfy you
2 important points in psalm 91 :
(1) This psalm did not say as believers we will not fall sick, we will not face problem or problem free in this life. Sometimes we face situation which we Do not understand but we continue to believe God's divine presence in all our trials
(2) Those who seek to draw close to God, this psalm is for them to claim
Point 3 : A resilient commitment
v14-15
(a) Someone who Loves God
(b) someone who Acknowledge God
(c) someone who Calls on the name of God
The most important thing about faith is not its Amount, but it's the Author
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Leadership @ Work
Pastor Lee Meng Cham
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Paul was speaking to the thessolonians and the leaders in this verse
As a boss, what is the catalyst you have that there is a reason to stay on because of who you are. A leader not only lead down, a leader can lead up and lead across as a form of influence. But the most important and the hardest to lead is self leadership.
Leaders are God's representatives in influencing people and harnessing resources through fruitful occupation for the betterment of society now and for the future.
Can you believe after just 42 months the lord can hand over the large of the kingdom to the 12 disciples although they were initially even clueless to His crucificion.
Jesus lead us by 3-fold model. This is the model of the leader that God wants us to follow :
Prophet - Priest - King
Teacher Prophet (TEACH as a PROPHET)
- Warn those who are idle and disruptive
- Speaks for God, communicating God's truth to the people
- A teacher prophet Define reality (what is, whom do we serve, for what purpose)
- Romans 12:8
- A teacher prophet need to tap into the spirit of God, not base on your ability
- a teacher prophet shape culture towards kingdom values, biblical principles by instilling good character and vision (is the vision of God? is the vision for God? is the vision from God?)
- a teacher prophet is a change agent leader, motivating and inspiring
"Great leaders teach, and great teachers lead"
Every great leader is a great teacher, and the greatest leaders seize every opportunity to teach well
- Albert Mohler -
"Often we think that we do not know enough to be able to teach others...... but when we have the courage to share generously with others all that we know, whenever they ask for it, we soon discover that we know a lot more than we thought. It is only by giving generously from the well of our knowledge that we discover how deep that well is."
- Henri Nouwen -
Shepherd Priest (SHEPHERD as a PRIEST)
- Define role
- a shepherd priest provide safety through trust, and space which is room for making failure
- a shepherd priest provide proper welfare
- a shepherd priest encourage the disheartened (1 Peter 5:2-4)
- a shepherd priest loves his sheep (but you must know your sheep first)
- we are human being (sheep) likely to fail
Servant King (SERVE as a KING)
- Help the weak
- Define Responsibility (not lording over but serving)
- a servant king does not take but give
- Servanthood is not the way to lead, it is a way to serve (1 Samuel 8 the people ask Samuel for a king)
- a servant king has the power and ability to govern. This power is to benefit others, not for yourself. It is used to harness people for the common good
- Mark 10:42-45
- a servant king provide nurture (knowing competence, leads the people in their self leadership. To be excellence is to do something better today than yesterday)
- Failure is the beginning & the springboard of work
- a servant king promotes unity, achieve synergy as a whole
1 Samuel 8:11-18 The Problem with Kings
- Take your sons and make them serve
- Take your daughters
- Take your best fields, vineyards, olive groves
- Take a tenth of your grain and flocks
- Take for his own use
"Leadership is the use of power. But power, to be ethical, must never be abused. To ensure that, one rule cannot be broken : Power is to be used only for the benefit of others, never for yourself."
- Dr Peter Koestenbaum -
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Paul was speaking to the thessolonians and the leaders in this verse
As a boss, what is the catalyst you have that there is a reason to stay on because of who you are. A leader not only lead down, a leader can lead up and lead across as a form of influence. But the most important and the hardest to lead is self leadership.
Leaders are God's representatives in influencing people and harnessing resources through fruitful occupation for the betterment of society now and for the future.
Can you believe after just 42 months the lord can hand over the large of the kingdom to the 12 disciples although they were initially even clueless to His crucificion.
Jesus lead us by 3-fold model. This is the model of the leader that God wants us to follow :
Prophet - Priest - King
Teacher Prophet (TEACH as a PROPHET)
- Warn those who are idle and disruptive
- Speaks for God, communicating God's truth to the people
- A teacher prophet Define reality (what is, whom do we serve, for what purpose)
- Romans 12:8
- A teacher prophet need to tap into the spirit of God, not base on your ability
- a teacher prophet shape culture towards kingdom values, biblical principles by instilling good character and vision (is the vision of God? is the vision for God? is the vision from God?)
- a teacher prophet is a change agent leader, motivating and inspiring
"Great leaders teach, and great teachers lead"
Every great leader is a great teacher, and the greatest leaders seize every opportunity to teach well
- Albert Mohler -
"Often we think that we do not know enough to be able to teach others...... but when we have the courage to share generously with others all that we know, whenever they ask for it, we soon discover that we know a lot more than we thought. It is only by giving generously from the well of our knowledge that we discover how deep that well is."
- Henri Nouwen -
Shepherd Priest (SHEPHERD as a PRIEST)
- Define role
- a shepherd priest provide safety through trust, and space which is room for making failure
- a shepherd priest provide proper welfare
- a shepherd priest encourage the disheartened (1 Peter 5:2-4)
- a shepherd priest loves his sheep (but you must know your sheep first)
- we are human being (sheep) likely to fail
Servant King (SERVE as a KING)
- Help the weak
- Define Responsibility (not lording over but serving)
- a servant king does not take but give
- Servanthood is not the way to lead, it is a way to serve (1 Samuel 8 the people ask Samuel for a king)
- a servant king has the power and ability to govern. This power is to benefit others, not for yourself. It is used to harness people for the common good
- Mark 10:42-45
- a servant king provide nurture (knowing competence, leads the people in their self leadership. To be excellence is to do something better today than yesterday)
- Failure is the beginning & the springboard of work
- a servant king promotes unity, achieve synergy as a whole
1 Samuel 8:11-18 The Problem with Kings
- Take your sons and make them serve
- Take your daughters
- Take your best fields, vineyards, olive groves
- Take a tenth of your grain and flocks
- Take for his own use
"Leadership is the use of power. But power, to be ethical, must never be abused. To ensure that, one rule cannot be broken : Power is to be used only for the benefit of others, never for yourself."
- Dr Peter Koestenbaum -
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Gospel @ Work
by Pastor Calvin Lee
On Sunday, the church gathers. But from Monday to Saturday the church scatters
Daniel 6:1-2
We are to go as He went to penetrate human society, to mix with unbelievers....
- John Stott -
Powerful lessons that we can learnt from Daniel's life :
(1) Be Devoted (Daniel 1:8)
(Person) We must be reminded our primary calling is relationship to God, know and experience, serve and worship Jesus more.
(Purpose) Where you are may not be where you want to be but it's where the Lord in His sovereignty allows you to be there... therefore submit and surrender to God and ask how you can fulfill God's purpose for you while you are there.
(2) Be Dedicated (Daniel 2:48; Daniel 6:3)
Daniel stood out by his :
- Excellent Attitude
- Exceptional Qualities
- Exemplary Work Life
(3) Be Different (Daniel 6:4-5)
"We cannot make a difference if we are not different"
"It is our works that matters most, not words"
"Being different doesn't mean we must always be holy holy. We are not holy. In fact, we have many holes. We are holy because of the grace of God. Change is the word that makes us different. That change itself becomes the testimonial to others in our lives. We are not perfect, in fact we are all very imperfect. People says Christian are hypocrite, tell them there is room for one more. Jesus says only the sick requires to see the doctor. We are all sick people that's why we go to the church. Don't put up a front, be real. Meet your shortcomings, say sorry. Be humble to people around you. Show others that we are all constantly santified by the works of the holy spirit.
(4) Be Determined (Daniel 6:10; Colossians 4:2-6)
Prayer & Posture
BE WISE in the way you act towards outsiders. Learn to engage them. Bear in mind you have a purpose and a plan.
BE DISCERNING. Make the most of every opportunity.
BE GRACIOUS IN YOUR SPEECH. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.
On Sunday, the church gathers. But from Monday to Saturday the church scatters
Daniel 6:1-2
We are to go as He went to penetrate human society, to mix with unbelievers....
- John Stott -
Powerful lessons that we can learnt from Daniel's life :
(1) Be Devoted (Daniel 1:8)
(Person) We must be reminded our primary calling is relationship to God, know and experience, serve and worship Jesus more.
(Purpose) Where you are may not be where you want to be but it's where the Lord in His sovereignty allows you to be there... therefore submit and surrender to God and ask how you can fulfill God's purpose for you while you are there.
(2) Be Dedicated (Daniel 2:48; Daniel 6:3)
Daniel stood out by his :
- Excellent Attitude
- Exceptional Qualities
- Exemplary Work Life
(3) Be Different (Daniel 6:4-5)
"We cannot make a difference if we are not different"
"It is our works that matters most, not words"
"Being different doesn't mean we must always be holy holy. We are not holy. In fact, we have many holes. We are holy because of the grace of God. Change is the word that makes us different. That change itself becomes the testimonial to others in our lives. We are not perfect, in fact we are all very imperfect. People says Christian are hypocrite, tell them there is room for one more. Jesus says only the sick requires to see the doctor. We are all sick people that's why we go to the church. Don't put up a front, be real. Meet your shortcomings, say sorry. Be humble to people around you. Show others that we are all constantly santified by the works of the holy spirit.
(4) Be Determined (Daniel 6:10; Colossians 4:2-6)
Prayer & Posture
BE WISE in the way you act towards outsiders. Learn to engage them. Bear in mind you have a purpose and a plan.
BE DISCERNING. Make the most of every opportunity.
BE GRACIOUS IN YOUR SPEECH. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Kingdom of God
Matthew 3:1-2
Mark 1:14-15
Luke 9:1-2
Acts 1:3
Acts 19:8
Acts 28:31
John 3:3
Luke 12:32
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 11:12
Matthew 13:44-46
Luke 18:28-30
Romans 14:17-18
The kingdom of God is meant to be experienced, not just theory
Matthew 13:31-32
The revelation of the kingdom of God grows
Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in you
Matthew 6:9-10
Matthew 24:14
Matthew 4:23
Matthew 12:28
Matthew 10:7-8
Matthew 28:18-20
I can't do anointing, I can't do gifting, but I can do obey. You can never fail praying for somebody, even though nothing happens, just say "Thank you Jesus"
John 14:12
1 Corinthians 4:20
Mark 1:14-15
Luke 9:1-2
Acts 1:3
Acts 19:8
Acts 28:31
John 3:3
Luke 12:32
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 11:12
Matthew 13:44-46
Luke 18:28-30
Romans 14:17-18
The kingdom of God is meant to be experienced, not just theory
Matthew 13:31-32
The revelation of the kingdom of God grows
Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in you
Matthew 6:9-10
Matthew 24:14
Matthew 4:23
Matthew 12:28
Matthew 10:7-8
Matthew 28:18-20
I can't do anointing, I can't do gifting, but I can do obey. You can never fail praying for somebody, even though nothing happens, just say "Thank you Jesus"
John 14:12
1 Corinthians 4:20
According to experts, one of the best ways to identify counterfeit money is to be familiar with real money. Anything different is courterfeit. Jesus Christ gave us a test to identify counterfeit teachers. He said, "You can know them by their fruit - their character." In other words, we should be skeptical of teachers whose lifestyle contradicts their message. We can apply that test not only to teachers, but also to anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. Not that anyone is perfect, but if a person's lifestyle habitually contradicts biblical values, we might wonder whether that person is a follower of Christ. We also know that when we seek to live by biblical values, our lifestyles may conflict with those of people around us. When it happens, we can remembers the words of our Lord from Matthew 10. He said, "Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves." Jesus said His followers serve as salt in society - we are to help preserve our society from moral chaos. He also said we are to serve as lights - we are to show people the way to God. Of course, when we stand for righteousness and justice, we can expect opposition. But Jesus said, "Whoever acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."
Isaiah 48:17
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like the waves in the sea." We do ourselves a great favour when we listen to God's Son, Jesus Christ, and when we aim to follow God's will as revealed in the Bible. Doing so not only gives us peace and satisfaction during this life, it will give us a sense of fulfillment when we come to the end of our lives.
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like the waves in the sea." We do ourselves a great favour when we listen to God's Son, Jesus Christ, and when we aim to follow God's will as revealed in the Bible. Doing so not only gives us peace and satisfaction during this life, it will give us a sense of fulfillment when we come to the end of our lives.
Calling @ Work
by Pastor Alvin Lim / Brother Min Yang
What is my calling?
- there must be a caller (God) who calls
- primary calling : call to relationship (Being)
Matthew 7:23
Mark 3:14-15
Luke 12:13-21
# Jesus said, "for I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners"
- secondary calling : call to respond (Doing)
# Everyone everywhere in everything should think speak live and act entirely for him
# context is unique to each individual
Tension of calling
1. supernatural vs ordinary calling
2. core vs peripheral calling
# apostle Paul peripheral calling is tent making. His core calling is apostle to his people
3. individual vs corporate calling
4. clarity vs mystery of calling
# our calling can be for different seasons. It doesn't mean when you leave a place, you have heard God's calling wrongly.
Colossians 3:22-24
- to glorify God through our work
1. Your relationship to Being (God)
2. Your work is a vocation
# Catholic distortion
- sacred ministry : clergy
- secular job : worker
- idleness of work
# Calling
# Job
# Protestant distortion
- secular career : worker
- sacred ministry : clergy
- idolatry of work
Calling - Vocation
- Redefining work
@ it is just a job
@ seeing work as a career
@ seeing work as a vocation (work that carries a sense of calling)
@ your attitude in your vocation
3. YOUR calling in life is more than your work (vocation)
- our calling is not just a destination but a journey
Eccles 9:10
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 4:1
- family
- church
- community
- vocation
4. Your vocation is unique
# 3 things that ought to give us a clue of what you should do :
- should
- can
- want
What is my calling?
- there must be a caller (God) who calls
- primary calling : call to relationship (Being)
Matthew 7:23
Mark 3:14-15
Luke 12:13-21
# Jesus said, "for I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners"
- secondary calling : call to respond (Doing)
# Everyone everywhere in everything should think speak live and act entirely for him
# context is unique to each individual
Tension of calling
1. supernatural vs ordinary calling
2. core vs peripheral calling
# apostle Paul peripheral calling is tent making. His core calling is apostle to his people
3. individual vs corporate calling
4. clarity vs mystery of calling
# our calling can be for different seasons. It doesn't mean when you leave a place, you have heard God's calling wrongly.
Colossians 3:22-24
- to glorify God through our work
1. Your relationship to Being (God)
2. Your work is a vocation
# Catholic distortion
- sacred ministry : clergy
- secular job : worker
- idleness of work
# Calling
# Job
# Protestant distortion
- secular career : worker
- sacred ministry : clergy
- idolatry of work
Calling - Vocation
- Redefining work
@ it is just a job
@ seeing work as a career
@ seeing work as a vocation (work that carries a sense of calling)
@ your attitude in your vocation
3. YOUR calling in life is more than your work (vocation)
- our calling is not just a destination but a journey
Eccles 9:10
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 4:1
- family
- church
- community
- vocation
4. Your vocation is unique
# 3 things that ought to give us a clue of what you should do :
- should
- can
- want
Trekking through transitions
by Pastor Henson Lim
Cross Over
Before or after crossover is a period of transition
- change of leadership
- change of environment
(doubts, anxiety, fear. The more all these things we go through, the more God is with us)
A crossover is over once you have crossed the crossover
Deuteronomy - Joshua
- Strong and of good courage (mentioned 7 times from Deuteronomy 7 to Joshua 1)
Past
Deuteronomy 31:3-6
(Look at God's faithfulness in the past)
We can be strong and courageous because God is the one who goes before us. Keep our eyes on Him not on man. He has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful again and again.
Purpose
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
We have to be strong and courageous because our obedience will bless and impact others. Our faithfulness to our assignments are for the benefit of serving others.
Personal
Deuteronomy 31:22-23
It's one thing to hear it from others. It's totally another to hear it directly from the Lord. Write it down. Read it again. And again. Holding on to what he has said directly and personally enables us to be strong and courageous.
Promise
Joshua 1:6
We can be strong and courageous because we have a God who keeps His promise. Trace it all the way back to Abraham and know that we are partakers of the same promise as faith descendants of Abraham, in Christ.
Precepts
Joshua 1:7-8
We must be strong and courageous because living out the word of God without compromise requires strength and courage. In times of transition, the tendency and temptation to justify and compromise is the greatest.
Presence
Joshua 1:9
We can be strong and courageous because we know that God not only goes before us, He also promise to go with us. And His presence enables us to work from a position of rest.
People
Joshua 1:16-18
We can be strong and courageous because God will bring others to journey with us, to co-labour alongside us. Don't fall for the "I'm all alone" lie and trap. Stay in community, draw strength and courage from one another.
This is a season that God is repositioning His people. Time has become very urgent and short. But not every christian is aware of that. Begin to realise that you can't do it without transition.
Cross Over
Before or after crossover is a period of transition
- change of leadership
- change of environment
(doubts, anxiety, fear. The more all these things we go through, the more God is with us)
A crossover is over once you have crossed the crossover
Deuteronomy - Joshua
- Strong and of good courage (mentioned 7 times from Deuteronomy 7 to Joshua 1)
Past
Deuteronomy 31:3-6
(Look at God's faithfulness in the past)
We can be strong and courageous because God is the one who goes before us. Keep our eyes on Him not on man. He has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful again and again.
Purpose
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
We have to be strong and courageous because our obedience will bless and impact others. Our faithfulness to our assignments are for the benefit of serving others.
Personal
Deuteronomy 31:22-23
It's one thing to hear it from others. It's totally another to hear it directly from the Lord. Write it down. Read it again. And again. Holding on to what he has said directly and personally enables us to be strong and courageous.
Promise
Joshua 1:6
We can be strong and courageous because we have a God who keeps His promise. Trace it all the way back to Abraham and know that we are partakers of the same promise as faith descendants of Abraham, in Christ.
Precepts
Joshua 1:7-8
We must be strong and courageous because living out the word of God without compromise requires strength and courage. In times of transition, the tendency and temptation to justify and compromise is the greatest.
Presence
Joshua 1:9
We can be strong and courageous because we know that God not only goes before us, He also promise to go with us. And His presence enables us to work from a position of rest.
People
Joshua 1:16-18
We can be strong and courageous because God will bring others to journey with us, to co-labour alongside us. Don't fall for the "I'm all alone" lie and trap. Stay in community, draw strength and courage from one another.
This is a season that God is repositioning His people. Time has become very urgent and short. But not every christian is aware of that. Begin to realise that you can't do it without transition.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Psalm 91
You have made the LORD your defender, the Most High your protector,
and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home.
God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.
You will trample down lions and snakes, fierce lions and poisonous snakes.
God says, "I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.
When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
I will rescue them and honour them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them."
Of course, this promise does not mean God's people will never meet danger. Rather, as God often does, He preserves us during danger and trouble. And even if our experience culminates in the loss of our physical life, we know we have an eternal home with God.
and so no disaster will strike you, no violence will come near your home.
God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.
You will trample down lions and snakes, fierce lions and poisonous snakes.
God says, "I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.
When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
I will rescue them and honour them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them."
Of course, this promise does not mean God's people will never meet danger. Rather, as God often does, He preserves us during danger and trouble. And even if our experience culminates in the loss of our physical life, we know we have an eternal home with God.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Success @ Work
Pastor Calvin Lee
Examples of success of the people in the bible :
Genesis 39:23 (Joseph)
1 Samuel 18:14 (David)
2 Chronicles 26:5 (Isaiah)
Genesis 24:14 (Abraham ask for success)
Nehemiah 1:11 (Nehemiah ask for success)
How does culture define success?
- Position
- Power
- Prestige
- Pleasure
- Prosperity
The above are not the ultimate key to success in God's understanding
Ecclesiastes 1:3; 1:14
Work under the sun perspective
- Self centered, looking at things with earthly perspective, view life as a race
- Meaningless = Vanity, vapour or breath
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Work above the sun perspective
- God fearing, God centered, seek after God's purposes, view life as a pilgrimage not as a race
What is the elements of success @ work?
(1) Success is about God, not just me
- work and worship share the same DNA
(2) It's about significance, not just success (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10)
(3) It's about eternal, not external (Ecclesiastes 3:11)(Colossians 3:1-2)
- we look at things, setbacks, problems differently
(4) It is about meaning, not just money (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)(Ecclesiastes 9:10)
I can find significance in M.Y. work :
Missional (Daniel 6:3-4)
Yahweh and not my way (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
You can't make a difference if you'd not be different
"The key to understandig the Book of Ecclesiastes is the term 'under the sun'. What that listerally means is you lock God out of a closed system, and you are left with only this world of time plus chance plus matter."
- Dr Ravi Zacharias -
"The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays - not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors."
- Martin Luther -
"The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not be putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
- Our Daily Bread -
"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music... Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will have to pause and say : 'Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.'"
- Martin Juther King, Jr. -
Examples of success of the people in the bible :
Genesis 39:23 (Joseph)
1 Samuel 18:14 (David)
2 Chronicles 26:5 (Isaiah)
Genesis 24:14 (Abraham ask for success)
Nehemiah 1:11 (Nehemiah ask for success)
How does culture define success?
- Position
- Power
- Prestige
- Pleasure
- Prosperity
The above are not the ultimate key to success in God's understanding
Ecclesiastes 1:3; 1:14
Work under the sun perspective
- Self centered, looking at things with earthly perspective, view life as a race
- Meaningless = Vanity, vapour or breath
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Work above the sun perspective
- God fearing, God centered, seek after God's purposes, view life as a pilgrimage not as a race
What is the elements of success @ work?
(1) Success is about God, not just me
- work and worship share the same DNA
(2) It's about significance, not just success (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10)
(3) It's about eternal, not external (Ecclesiastes 3:11)(Colossians 3:1-2)
- we look at things, setbacks, problems differently
(4) It is about meaning, not just money (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)(Ecclesiastes 9:10)
I can find significance in M.Y. work :
Missional (Daniel 6:3-4)
Yahweh and not my way (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
You can't make a difference if you'd not be different
"The key to understandig the Book of Ecclesiastes is the term 'under the sun'. What that listerally means is you lock God out of a closed system, and you are left with only this world of time plus chance plus matter."
- Dr Ravi Zacharias -
"The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays - not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors."
- Martin Luther -
"The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not be putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
- Our Daily Bread -
"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music... Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will have to pause and say : 'Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well.'"
- Martin Juther King, Jr. -
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Characteristics of a true church
Pastor Ronald
Book of Philippians
Characteristics :
Philippians 1:12-30
1. A true church rejoices in suffering
- Paul preached a gospel of adversity
- Take up your cross of suffering, adversity (Philippians 1:29)
- I must be prepared to suffer for Christ's sake, we should not complain, question when we suffer.
2. A true church reinforces the unity (Philippians 2:1-18)
- Allow the gospel to transform your relationship to one another
- Demonstrate the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
- Defend the gospel (Philippians 1:28)
- The bible is based on right or wrong, black or white, not relativism
3. A true church is rooted in righteousness (Philippians 2:14-15)(Philippians 3:7-11)
- My life will become an instrument of righteousness
- My righteousness comes from my position in Christ (Philippians 3:8-9)
- I have righteousness of Christ in my life and my desire is to be cut off from sins by daily set apart my life for Christ. Make decision to do what is right (Philippians 3:10-11)
4. A true church is to resolute in partnership with God (Philippians 1:3-5)
- Koinonia = Partnership
- Whatever that happens to one affects the other
1. Concern for each other
2. Concern for the advancement of the gospel
What are some obstacles / hindrances to unity :
1. Self-Importance (Philippians 2:3)
- We have to think of others better than ourselves
2. Self-Interest (Philippians 2:4)
- We have no rights as christians because we are all sinners. We come by the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Have the mind of Christ. Let the mind of Christ in us affect our relationships. Even though Christ have the rights He was humble (Philippians 2:5)
A. Suffering is normal for christians
B. Suffering is greater for believers then for non believers. This is due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and we are not given immunity. We suffer also because we are not of this fallen world, we will experience all kinds of things because the world hates us. We are social misfits because the world jokes are not funny to us (John 15:18-19)
C. Suffering is good for christian, Amen! (Philippians 3:10)
Suffering is good for christians :
- only when suffering is undeserved
- only when we have overcome the suffering. We cannot just come to a point of resigning to it, even the world can do that. For christians, we continue to rejoice. Yes, we are still going through, but all things turns out for good to those who loves Him. God knows we have the capacity to handle the situation (John 16:33)
Philippians 1:21
I know the hope that I have in Christ...... for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Book of Philippians
Characteristics :
Philippians 1:12-30
1. A true church rejoices in suffering
- Paul preached a gospel of adversity
- Take up your cross of suffering, adversity (Philippians 1:29)
- I must be prepared to suffer for Christ's sake, we should not complain, question when we suffer.
2. A true church reinforces the unity (Philippians 2:1-18)
- Allow the gospel to transform your relationship to one another
- Demonstrate the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
- Defend the gospel (Philippians 1:28)
- The bible is based on right or wrong, black or white, not relativism
3. A true church is rooted in righteousness (Philippians 2:14-15)(Philippians 3:7-11)
- My life will become an instrument of righteousness
- My righteousness comes from my position in Christ (Philippians 3:8-9)
- I have righteousness of Christ in my life and my desire is to be cut off from sins by daily set apart my life for Christ. Make decision to do what is right (Philippians 3:10-11)
4. A true church is to resolute in partnership with God (Philippians 1:3-5)
- Koinonia = Partnership
- Whatever that happens to one affects the other
1. Concern for each other
2. Concern for the advancement of the gospel
What are some obstacles / hindrances to unity :
1. Self-Importance (Philippians 2:3)
- We have to think of others better than ourselves
2. Self-Interest (Philippians 2:4)
- We have no rights as christians because we are all sinners. We come by the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Have the mind of Christ. Let the mind of Christ in us affect our relationships. Even though Christ have the rights He was humble (Philippians 2:5)
A. Suffering is normal for christians
B. Suffering is greater for believers then for non believers. This is due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and we are not given immunity. We suffer also because we are not of this fallen world, we will experience all kinds of things because the world hates us. We are social misfits because the world jokes are not funny to us (John 15:18-19)
C. Suffering is good for christian, Amen! (Philippians 3:10)
Suffering is good for christians :
- only when suffering is undeserved
- only when we have overcome the suffering. We cannot just come to a point of resigning to it, even the world can do that. For christians, we continue to rejoice. Yes, we are still going through, but all things turns out for good to those who loves Him. God knows we have the capacity to handle the situation (John 16:33)
Philippians 1:21
I know the hope that I have in Christ...... for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
God @ Work
by Pastor Lee Meng Cham
1 Corinthians 15:58
How do we incorporate God's messages into our work place?
3 things about work :
1. Definition of Work
- "Work is the expenditure of energy (manual or mental or both) in the service of others, which brings fulfillment to the worker, benefit to the community and glory to God." - John Stott
2. Design of Work
- God's design of Work is 6 days He work and 1 day He rest @ creation. There is work before & after the fall and after the fall. Work is for our benefit, it is a gift for us from God. God created us to be occupied, fully functioning as His co-workers as we live on this earth)
- Our work matters to God, both now and eternally. The value we place on our work determines our missional effectiveness. How we do what we do daily transforms and reclaims the workplace for His glory.
- God is The Worker (Genesis 2:2-3)
- Humans are God's Co-Workers (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13) - Before the Fall : Humans are God's Co-workers (Genesis 1:28; 2:15)
- After the Fall : Humans are still God's Co-workers (Genesis 3:17b - 19)
3. Dignity of Work (God created the world intentionally and Jesus is the chief worker John 15:1; 5:17; 9:4; 4:34; 17:4)
How should we develop the right perspective of our work?
1. Get a Right Regard of Work
- Every good work and every good worker counts including a pre-believer
2. Restore a Right Relationship to our Work
- God wants us to be OUR best not be THE best
- the WORKAHOLIC (Fear of Failure) and SHIRKAHOLIC (Fear of Success) are not the best examples that pleases God
- We give identity a meaning to our work because we are God's children (Proverbs 22:13)
- Instead of living by the understanding of Fall --> Redemption --> Great Commission, we should live by
- Creation --> Fall --> Redemption --> Restoration --> Grand Commission
Confucious says :
If you love your job, then you will never have to work again
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:23-24
The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"
Provers 22:13
"Driven people tend to focus all their energies on an activity that feeds the inner dysfunction, and this activity becomes an addiction."
- R. Paul Stevens -
What is this work?
Stay tune .......
1 Corinthians 15:58
How do we incorporate God's messages into our work place?
3 things about work :
1. Definition of Work
- "Work is the expenditure of energy (manual or mental or both) in the service of others, which brings fulfillment to the worker, benefit to the community and glory to God." - John Stott
2. Design of Work
- God's design of Work is 6 days He work and 1 day He rest @ creation. There is work before & after the fall and after the fall. Work is for our benefit, it is a gift for us from God. God created us to be occupied, fully functioning as His co-workers as we live on this earth)
- Our work matters to God, both now and eternally. The value we place on our work determines our missional effectiveness. How we do what we do daily transforms and reclaims the workplace for His glory.
- God is The Worker (Genesis 2:2-3)
- Humans are God's Co-Workers (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13) - Before the Fall : Humans are God's Co-workers (Genesis 1:28; 2:15)
- After the Fall : Humans are still God's Co-workers (Genesis 3:17b - 19)
3. Dignity of Work (God created the world intentionally and Jesus is the chief worker John 15:1; 5:17; 9:4; 4:34; 17:4)
How should we develop the right perspective of our work?
1. Get a Right Regard of Work
- Every good work and every good worker counts including a pre-believer
2. Restore a Right Relationship to our Work
- God wants us to be OUR best not be THE best
- the WORKAHOLIC (Fear of Failure) and SHIRKAHOLIC (Fear of Success) are not the best examples that pleases God
- We give identity a meaning to our work because we are God's children (Proverbs 22:13)
- Instead of living by the understanding of Fall --> Redemption --> Great Commission, we should live by
- Creation --> Fall --> Redemption --> Restoration --> Grand Commission
Confucious says :
If you love your job, then you will never have to work again
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:23-24
The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"
Provers 22:13
"Driven people tend to focus all their energies on an activity that feeds the inner dysfunction, and this activity becomes an addiction."
- R. Paul Stevens -
What is this work?
Stay tune .......
Monday, September 19, 2016
from Setbacks to Comeback (Part 2)
by Pastor Calvin Lee
COMEBACK
- Setbacks do not have the last say in our lives
- turnaround, fresh start, beginning
- God is a God who gives a second chance (God is a God of Mulligans)
3 scenarios can happen when we face setbacks :
- Overwhelm
- Survive
- Make a strong comeback
My setback is a setup for a comeback
1st Principle :
Run to God, not away from God (Genesis 39:2)
2nd Principle :
Make the best out of the bad situation (Genesis 39:4; 23)
- We need the presence of God most during setbacks moment, do not slide and don't ever allow your situation or setbacks to lead you away from God.
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when the calamity strikes (Proverbs 24:16)
3rd Principle :
Genesis 41:15
- God joined the dots
4th Principle :
Understand that your comeback is not payback time (Genesis 50:15)
5th Principle :
Remember that your comeback is a result of someone else salvation (Genesis 50:20)
- For the kingdom and glory of God
1 Peter 5:10
- Samson hit rock bottom
- It's never too late for God. There's always hope from God
- Samson came back from a life of waywardness and sin
Judges 16:21; 28
Focus on Giants, fear will cripple you.
Focus on God, faith will strengthen you.
Focus on Goliath, you will be overwhelmed.
Focus on God, you will overcome.
"CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS, DIFFICULTY OR YOUR DELIVERER!"
COMEBACK
- Setbacks do not have the last say in our lives
- turnaround, fresh start, beginning
- God is a God who gives a second chance (God is a God of Mulligans)
3 scenarios can happen when we face setbacks :
- Overwhelm
- Survive
- Make a strong comeback
My setback is a setup for a comeback
1st Principle :
Run to God, not away from God (Genesis 39:2)
2nd Principle :
Make the best out of the bad situation (Genesis 39:4; 23)
- We need the presence of God most during setbacks moment, do not slide and don't ever allow your situation or setbacks to lead you away from God.
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when the calamity strikes (Proverbs 24:16)
3rd Principle :
Genesis 41:15
- God joined the dots
4th Principle :
Understand that your comeback is not payback time (Genesis 50:15)
5th Principle :
Remember that your comeback is a result of someone else salvation (Genesis 50:20)
- For the kingdom and glory of God
1 Peter 5:10
- Samson hit rock bottom
- It's never too late for God. There's always hope from God
- Samson came back from a life of waywardness and sin
Judges 16:21; 28
Focus on Giants, fear will cripple you.
Focus on God, faith will strengthen you.
Focus on Goliath, you will be overwhelmed.
Focus on God, you will overcome.
"CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS, DIFFICULTY OR YOUR DELIVERER!"
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
What is a 'Good" Mother-In-Law?
Someone has said a good mother-in-law is not nosy, not biased, and not jealous; rather she is kind, a peacemaker, knows when to come and go, is as wise as an owl and harmless as a dove.
Some of these traits were in Naomi, a mother-in-law we read about in the book of Ruth. She was living in the country of Moab. Her husband and sons had all died. She and her two daughters-in-law lived alone with no support. She heard that the famine in her homeland was over, so she decided to go back home.
Her two daughters-in-law were going with her. While on the way, she urged them to go back home to their parents, hopefully to find new husbands. One daughter-in-law Orpah, left Naomi to do just that. The other one, Ruth, chose not to go back home. Her words to Naomi are unforgettable. "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!"
Ruth clung to Naomi, not for what she could get, but for what she could give her mother-in-law. God rewarded her loyalty. She met Naomi's relative, Boaz; they married, and she became an ancestor of King David, and of the Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Some of these traits were in Naomi, a mother-in-law we read about in the book of Ruth. She was living in the country of Moab. Her husband and sons had all died. She and her two daughters-in-law lived alone with no support. She heard that the famine in her homeland was over, so she decided to go back home.
Her two daughters-in-law were going with her. While on the way, she urged them to go back home to their parents, hopefully to find new husbands. One daughter-in-law Orpah, left Naomi to do just that. The other one, Ruth, chose not to go back home. Her words to Naomi are unforgettable. "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!"
Ruth clung to Naomi, not for what she could get, but for what she could give her mother-in-law. God rewarded her loyalty. She met Naomi's relative, Boaz; they married, and she became an ancestor of King David, and of the Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
What does it mean "By Faith?"
by Dr Jerry Horner
We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the mean of communication between us and God. Our Christian walk is a walk of faith and our Christian life is a life of faith.
How do we walk and live by faith?
Take a look at the Father of faith - Abraham in Romans 4:23-34
- An untested faith is a worthless faith
- God test and challenge our faith to strengthen us and assure us
There are 3 great crisis in Abraham's walk of faith :
(1) Genesis 12:1-3
- The essence of faith is simply letting go of one thing so that God can give us something else. Leaving security and identity. The first word is to get out and leave
- Until we let go, God cannot give us all He wants to give us
- The way to grow up is to give up
- God is seeking to set Abraham apart but He couldn't do it if Abraham stay where he was. God wants to be the shaping influence of Abraham's life. We must not allow the world to be the shaping influence of our lives
- We are not to live by the standards of the world (Romans 12:2)
Example :
The story of monkey picking up a trinket from a cut open coconut shell. If it doesn't let go of the trinket, it will be caught because it's hand is too full to go through the hole
- Am I willing to travel and willing to let God lead me to the unknown?
- Walk into the unknown just like when God called Abraham, God didn't say where He is bringing Abraham to
- God wants us to walk and trust Him even though we don't know what is going on or what's happening in our lives
- He doesn't want us to depend on our own knowledge when He calls us out by faith if we know where we are going beforehand
Example :
The stairs of darkness where one light will light us as we take a step forward.
The only way we can see God and His plans for us is from the back, in retrospect. Look back over the path from which I have come from.
(2) Genesis 17:15-18
- Letting go of Ishmael
- Abraham was saying in v18 he wants it his way since Ishmael was already 13 years old. But God wants Abraham let go of Ishmael else God cannot continue doing His works in us
- Ishmael is like our career, ideas, plans, dreams, visions etc
- God may not command or demand that we give us our Ishmael but if our Ishmael collide with God's plan for us, then we must decide whether we want to let go or stay put in our comfortable zone
(3) Genesis 22:1-2
- Let go of your Isaac
- What if what you have now is good and pure and right and perfect, YET God wants you to give up?
- God will never test you in a way you cannot pass the test or in any way you are unable to endure
- Letting go the best you have, the right and good and perfect
- The ultimate test of walking in faith is when you come to the place when you don't need the promise or reward when you obey God
Example :
Paul's biggest threat is not the hardships nor people but it is the blessings that he had (2 Corinthians 12)
God just wants our heart of obedience
We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the mean of communication between us and God. Our Christian walk is a walk of faith and our Christian life is a life of faith.
How do we walk and live by faith?
Take a look at the Father of faith - Abraham in Romans 4:23-34
- An untested faith is a worthless faith
- God test and challenge our faith to strengthen us and assure us
There are 3 great crisis in Abraham's walk of faith :
(1) Genesis 12:1-3
- The essence of faith is simply letting go of one thing so that God can give us something else. Leaving security and identity. The first word is to get out and leave
- Until we let go, God cannot give us all He wants to give us
- The way to grow up is to give up
- God is seeking to set Abraham apart but He couldn't do it if Abraham stay where he was. God wants to be the shaping influence of Abraham's life. We must not allow the world to be the shaping influence of our lives
- We are not to live by the standards of the world (Romans 12:2)
Example :
The story of monkey picking up a trinket from a cut open coconut shell. If it doesn't let go of the trinket, it will be caught because it's hand is too full to go through the hole
- Am I willing to travel and willing to let God lead me to the unknown?
- Walk into the unknown just like when God called Abraham, God didn't say where He is bringing Abraham to
- God wants us to walk and trust Him even though we don't know what is going on or what's happening in our lives
- He doesn't want us to depend on our own knowledge when He calls us out by faith if we know where we are going beforehand
Example :
The stairs of darkness where one light will light us as we take a step forward.
The only way we can see God and His plans for us is from the back, in retrospect. Look back over the path from which I have come from.
(2) Genesis 17:15-18
- Letting go of Ishmael
- Abraham was saying in v18 he wants it his way since Ishmael was already 13 years old. But God wants Abraham let go of Ishmael else God cannot continue doing His works in us
- Ishmael is like our career, ideas, plans, dreams, visions etc
- God may not command or demand that we give us our Ishmael but if our Ishmael collide with God's plan for us, then we must decide whether we want to let go or stay put in our comfortable zone
(3) Genesis 22:1-2
- Let go of your Isaac
- What if what you have now is good and pure and right and perfect, YET God wants you to give up?
- God will never test you in a way you cannot pass the test or in any way you are unable to endure
- Letting go the best you have, the right and good and perfect
- The ultimate test of walking in faith is when you come to the place when you don't need the promise or reward when you obey God
Example :
Paul's biggest threat is not the hardships nor people but it is the blessings that he had (2 Corinthians 12)
God just wants our heart of obedience
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
God's Graciousness
Taken from YouVersion Bible
Billy Sunday once said about hypocrites, “Don’t hunt through the church looking for a hypocrite. Go home and look in the mirror. See that you make the number of hypocrites one less.”
The Apostle Paul also spoke about hypocrites. In Romans 2, he addresses people who look down their noses at others while practicing what they condemn in them.
He reminds his readers of three criteria God uses to judge people–including hypocrites. (1) God judges according to truth: Paul writes, “We know that God’s judgment against those who do wrong is based on truth–that is, on the way they really are." (2) God judges according to a person’s deeds: He writes, “God will give to each person according to what he has done.” (3) God judges according to the light a person has. Paul writes, “The day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. Hypocrites will have no standing in that day."
Because God judges so thoroughly, none of us can escape the consequences of our actions–no one except those whom God forgives because of what His Son has done. God forgives those who ask Him because His Son Jesus died for our sins. With Jesus Christ as our Savior, we do not have to pretend as hypocrites do. True believers know they are not perfect. They are simply forgiven.
Billy Sunday once said about hypocrites, “Don’t hunt through the church looking for a hypocrite. Go home and look in the mirror. See that you make the number of hypocrites one less.”
The Apostle Paul also spoke about hypocrites. In Romans 2, he addresses people who look down their noses at others while practicing what they condemn in them.
He reminds his readers of three criteria God uses to judge people–including hypocrites. (1) God judges according to truth: Paul writes, “We know that God’s judgment against those who do wrong is based on truth–that is, on the way they really are." (2) God judges according to a person’s deeds: He writes, “God will give to each person according to what he has done.” (3) God judges according to the light a person has. Paul writes, “The day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. Hypocrites will have no standing in that day."
Because God judges so thoroughly, none of us can escape the consequences of our actions–no one except those whom God forgives because of what His Son has done. God forgives those who ask Him because His Son Jesus died for our sins. With Jesus Christ as our Savior, we do not have to pretend as hypocrites do. True believers know they are not perfect. They are simply forgiven.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Growing in Spiritual and Power
by Pastor Ben
The Big Idea
(1) Fight from a Position of Victory
- What's our position as believers? (Ephesians 2:6)(Luke 4:6)(Colossians 2:15)(Matthew 28:18)
- Jesus delegated His authority to us (Luke 9:1)
- Know God's Word & be informed (continuing learning) (1 John 4:4)
- Not allowing ignorance for satan to deceive us. Ignorance is not a bliss
- When "in Jesus' Name doesn't work" would mean either the person is in a state of mental unsound or this person is seeking attention
(2) Embrace the Purpose of fulfilling the mandate
- What are we wired to do on this earth? (Ephesians 2:10)
- We are always fighting battle on this earth
- Deliverance is a non-negotiable in fulfilling the mandate (Mark 16:15; 17-19)
(3) Adopt a Posture of submission to Christ
- Authority means the right to rule. Power is relying on heavens' strength to bring about the desired result
- Jesus demonstrated a life of total submission (John 5:19)
- The way Jesus prayed : He Commanded & Rebuked
Every member of the body of Christ has the same authority and power because it is based on our identity and position in Christ.
- Neil Anderson : from the book Your Authority in Christ -
There's no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every minute of every hour is claimed by God and counter-claimed by satan.
- CS Lewis -
Satan can't do anything about your identity and position in Christ, but if he can deceive you into believing that is is not true or irrelevant, you will live as though it isn't.
- Neil Anderson : from the book Your Authority in Christ -
After Creation (Psalm 8:5 / Genesis 1:28) God -> Humans -> Satan
After the fall (Luke 4:6) God -> Satan -> Humans
After Crucifixion (Colossians 2:15) God -> Jesus -> Humans -> Satan
The Big Idea
(1) Fight from a Position of Victory
- What's our position as believers? (Ephesians 2:6)(Luke 4:6)(Colossians 2:15)(Matthew 28:18)
- Jesus delegated His authority to us (Luke 9:1)
- Know God's Word & be informed (continuing learning) (1 John 4:4)
- Not allowing ignorance for satan to deceive us. Ignorance is not a bliss
- When "in Jesus' Name doesn't work" would mean either the person is in a state of mental unsound or this person is seeking attention
(2) Embrace the Purpose of fulfilling the mandate
- What are we wired to do on this earth? (Ephesians 2:10)
- We are always fighting battle on this earth
- Deliverance is a non-negotiable in fulfilling the mandate (Mark 16:15; 17-19)
(3) Adopt a Posture of submission to Christ
- Authority means the right to rule. Power is relying on heavens' strength to bring about the desired result
- Jesus demonstrated a life of total submission (John 5:19)
- The way Jesus prayed : He Commanded & Rebuked
Every member of the body of Christ has the same authority and power because it is based on our identity and position in Christ.
- Neil Anderson : from the book Your Authority in Christ -
There's no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every minute of every hour is claimed by God and counter-claimed by satan.
- CS Lewis -
Satan can't do anything about your identity and position in Christ, but if he can deceive you into believing that is is not true or irrelevant, you will live as though it isn't.
- Neil Anderson : from the book Your Authority in Christ -
After Creation (Psalm 8:5 / Genesis 1:28) God -> Humans -> Satan
After the fall (Luke 4:6) God -> Satan -> Humans
After Crucifixion (Colossians 2:15) God -> Jesus -> Humans -> Satan
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Jesus Christ real?
Experts say the best way tell if gold is genuine is to give it the old fire test. Fire will burn away impurities and leave the gold intact. Some people ask how we know Jesus Christ is truly God's Messiah, especially since other religions claim to be just as valid.
Fifteen hundred years before Jesus came, God promised through Moses to send a prophet like Moses. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy and hundreds of others that predicted what the Messiah would do when He came. Jesus displayed perfect moral character. No one could accuse Him of moral failure.
While He was here on earth, credible witnesses testified that they heard God's voice from heaven say about Him, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." Jesus worked miracles no mere human could do. One mark of a true prophet is that His words must come true. Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection. He also predicted that the nation's enemies would destroy Jerusalem.
It happened in 70 A.D. Jesus said He came from God, spoke for God, and would return to God. Since then, His followers proclaim the Good News about Him all over the world. They build hospitals, help the poor, and work for justice in our society.
Millions of people who accept Him experience changed lives. All these realities point to Jesus as unique and fully reliable. That is why we trust Him as God's Son and our Savior.
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Fifteen hundred years before Jesus came, God promised through Moses to send a prophet like Moses. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy and hundreds of others that predicted what the Messiah would do when He came. Jesus displayed perfect moral character. No one could accuse Him of moral failure.
While He was here on earth, credible witnesses testified that they heard God's voice from heaven say about Him, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." Jesus worked miracles no mere human could do. One mark of a true prophet is that His words must come true. Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection. He also predicted that the nation's enemies would destroy Jerusalem.
It happened in 70 A.D. Jesus said He came from God, spoke for God, and would return to God. Since then, His followers proclaim the Good News about Him all over the world. They build hospitals, help the poor, and work for justice in our society.
Millions of people who accept Him experience changed lives. All these realities point to Jesus as unique and fully reliable. That is why we trust Him as God's Son and our Savior.
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Sunday, August 28, 2016
from Setbacks to Comebacks
by Pastor Calvin Lee
Setback is a reversal or a tag in progress. Setbacks are facts of life. Setbacks are norm. Even great men and women in the bible experienced setbacks. Examples are Moses, David, Job, Ruth, Paul......
A recall in the life of Joseph
- God is in control
Genesis 50:20
Faith declaration :
"No matter what I'm going through right now, but God...."
The enemy wants to blur our vision of God. We need to set our eyes upon God NO MATTER WHAT!
8 powerful truths about the God of our lives as we face through setbacks :
(1) God knows (Genesis 39:2)
(2) God is not punishing me (God is setting me up for something greater. I must believe it no matter what.)
(3) God will not allow me to go through more than what I can go through (1 Corinthians 10:13)
(4) God uses setbacks to bring potentials out of us that we didn't even know we had (Genesis 39:4)
- When we are going through we cannot see what God has intended. We always want God to do the "removing" job but God instead wants to do an "improving" job in our lives.
- Grow through setbacks
(5) God will not allow a setback into your life unless He has a purpose for it. In the name of Jesus, and by faith, believe and declare "it is a good thing"
(6) God will surprise you beyond your wildest imagination
- We tend to think negative things and then become overwhelm but always remember God can surprise you! Look at the life of Joseph and all the men and women in the bible
(7) God is bigger than our setbacks
- God is stronger and He is able, no matter what
- We are hopeful people
(8) God has a destiny for me
5 common reasons why we suffer setbacks :
- Self inflicted situation
- Sin (we are fallen human being living in a fallen world)
- Situation (it just happens that way somehow we cannot explain)
- Spiritual Warfare
- Sovereignty of God (God allows us to go through)
During setbacks moments, we are more vulnerable physically, emotionally, mentally and susceptible to enemy's (satan/devil) attack. Therefore, we would need 2 weapons during this crucial time :
(1) Strength of God (Isaiah 40:31)
(2) Wisdom of God
Some examples of setbacks :
- Shattered dreams
- Financial failures
- Unexpected illness
- Relationship breakdown
- Retrenched
- Failed exam
- Delinquent children
- Betrayal
- Moral failure
- Career roadblocks
- Miscarriage
- Costly mistakes
Joseph :
- Was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:18)
- Was sold into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37:36)
- Was framed as an adulterer (Genesis 39:13)
- Was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:20)
- Was forgotten by the cupbearer (Genesis 40:23)
Setback is a reversal or a tag in progress. Setbacks are facts of life. Setbacks are norm. Even great men and women in the bible experienced setbacks. Examples are Moses, David, Job, Ruth, Paul......
A recall in the life of Joseph
- God is in control
Genesis 50:20
Faith declaration :
"No matter what I'm going through right now, but God...."
The enemy wants to blur our vision of God. We need to set our eyes upon God NO MATTER WHAT!
8 powerful truths about the God of our lives as we face through setbacks :
(1) God knows (Genesis 39:2)
(2) God is not punishing me (God is setting me up for something greater. I must believe it no matter what.)
(3) God will not allow me to go through more than what I can go through (1 Corinthians 10:13)
(4) God uses setbacks to bring potentials out of us that we didn't even know we had (Genesis 39:4)
- When we are going through we cannot see what God has intended. We always want God to do the "removing" job but God instead wants to do an "improving" job in our lives.
- Grow through setbacks
(5) God will not allow a setback into your life unless He has a purpose for it. In the name of Jesus, and by faith, believe and declare "it is a good thing"
(6) God will surprise you beyond your wildest imagination
- We tend to think negative things and then become overwhelm but always remember God can surprise you! Look at the life of Joseph and all the men and women in the bible
(7) God is bigger than our setbacks
- God is stronger and He is able, no matter what
- We are hopeful people
(8) God has a destiny for me
5 common reasons why we suffer setbacks :
- Self inflicted situation
- Sin (we are fallen human being living in a fallen world)
- Situation (it just happens that way somehow we cannot explain)
- Spiritual Warfare
- Sovereignty of God (God allows us to go through)
During setbacks moments, we are more vulnerable physically, emotionally, mentally and susceptible to enemy's (satan/devil) attack. Therefore, we would need 2 weapons during this crucial time :
(1) Strength of God (Isaiah 40:31)
(2) Wisdom of God
Some examples of setbacks :
- Shattered dreams
- Financial failures
- Unexpected illness
- Relationship breakdown
- Retrenched
- Failed exam
- Delinquent children
- Betrayal
- Moral failure
- Career roadblocks
- Miscarriage
- Costly mistakes
Joseph :
- Was betrayed by his brothers (Genesis 37:18)
- Was sold into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37:36)
- Was framed as an adulterer (Genesis 39:13)
- Was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:20)
- Was forgotten by the cupbearer (Genesis 40:23)
Developing Spiritual Strength
by Pastor Eelyn Poh
Isaiah 40:27-31
Isaiah 39 and 40
Separated by 160 years
North Kingdom (Israel)
South Kingdom (Judah)
Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel
Judah went into Babylon captivity for 40 years
(1) Look Up (v27, v28)
Isaiah 40:12
(2) Wait Up (v31)
- Wait = "Qavah"
- To look eagerly for, to lie in wait for
1 Samuel 30:4-6
(3) Rise Up (v31)
Isaiah 54:1-3
Jeremiah 12:5
Your perspective of life and situation will limit your capacity for greater things
An eagle requires 80% of its energy to flap its wings
but only 20% of its energy to soar
2 Kings 6:14-17
Isaiah 40:27-31
Isaiah 39 and 40
Separated by 160 years
North Kingdom (Israel)
South Kingdom (Judah)
Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel
Judah went into Babylon captivity for 40 years
(1) Look Up (v27, v28)
Isaiah 40:12
(2) Wait Up (v31)
- Wait = "Qavah"
- To look eagerly for, to lie in wait for
1 Samuel 30:4-6
(3) Rise Up (v31)
Isaiah 54:1-3
Jeremiah 12:5
Your perspective of life and situation will limit your capacity for greater things
An eagle requires 80% of its energy to flap its wings
but only 20% of its energy to soar
2 Kings 6:14-17
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Authenticity in Church
Pastor Lee Meng Cham
Acts 2:41-47
All of us yearn for genuine community. What are we looking at when we say authentic living in church?
(1) A Sure Hope (v41, v47)
- added to their number because the early church resonated with the hope.
- all of us have fallen from glory
- we possess a sure hope because our falling from glory is the greatest fear when joining a community is discovery and rejection
Galatians 3:27-29
- we all come to Christ as broken people
- there's no room for eagled eyeset at the cross
- where does this hope comes from? it comes from a shared faith!
(2) A Sacrificial Love (v44, v45)
- whatever I have are yours
1st : the hurdle of biblical or cultural Christianity?
2nd : the hurdle of sacrificial or superficial engagement? Serving the invisible and prominent
2 Corinthians 8:9
John 13:34-35
Cultural Christian vs Biblical Christian
- Be the best for one's sake vs Be the best for other's sake
- Personal fulfilment vs Pleasing God
- Worship the God we prefer vs Worship the God who is
- 'This world' oriented vs 'Kingdom of God' oriented
- We are the ends vs We are the means
- 'Jesus belongs to me!' vs 'I belong to Jesus!'
- Christ exists for man's sake vs Man exists for Christ's sake
- Keep the church for the lovable vs Build a church for the unloved
- Serve the prominent vs Serve the Invisible
Acts 2:41-47
All of us yearn for genuine community. What are we looking at when we say authentic living in church?
(1) A Sure Hope (v41, v47)
- added to their number because the early church resonated with the hope.
- all of us have fallen from glory
- we possess a sure hope because our falling from glory is the greatest fear when joining a community is discovery and rejection
Galatians 3:27-29
- we all come to Christ as broken people
- there's no room for eagled eyeset at the cross
- where does this hope comes from? it comes from a shared faith!
(2) A Sacrificial Love (v44, v45)
- whatever I have are yours
1st : the hurdle of biblical or cultural Christianity?
2nd : the hurdle of sacrificial or superficial engagement? Serving the invisible and prominent
2 Corinthians 8:9
John 13:34-35
Cultural Christian vs Biblical Christian
- Be the best for one's sake vs Be the best for other's sake
- Personal fulfilment vs Pleasing God
- Worship the God we prefer vs Worship the God who is
- 'This world' oriented vs 'Kingdom of God' oriented
- We are the ends vs We are the means
- 'Jesus belongs to me!' vs 'I belong to Jesus!'
- Christ exists for man's sake vs Man exists for Christ's sake
- Keep the church for the lovable vs Build a church for the unloved
- Serve the prominent vs Serve the Invisible
Love Others : Honour in Family
Pastor Calvin Lee
Many people have failed to honour relationships, parents, friendship, grandparents. Example : The Tates Family
What is the solution to bring honour in your family?
Transformation is the answer.
It has to be from the inside out.
Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our lives and in our famiy.
Ephesians 6:1-9
Exodus 20:12
We give
Respect
Esteem
Significance
Honour to one another
(1) Command with a Priority
- children honour your parents
- an elevation to recognize
- an experience to regard
Honouring your parents is not about their performance. Honouring our parents is about their position, their personhood. No matter how bad they are, God is still their God. Jesus died on the cross for everyone including our parents. Honouring them does not mean we overlook their wrongs and faults, does not mean we give ways to their demands and hurtful ways.
You are ultimately honouring God Himself. It is a step of obedience and a step of faith to believe God that He will intervene and because of that, when you honour God, God will honour you.
This is the only commandment that it will come a day when we cannot keep it. When they are not with us anymore.
(2) command with a Promise
Ephesians 6:2-3
- it may go well with you
- your family will be well
- our days will be lightened
- our days will be lengthened
- our souls may be well
(3) Command with a Principle
- honour begets honour
- what goes round comes around
(4) command with a Purpose
- simply to glorify God
1 Peter 2:17
Learn to honour others who are above or below us. Honour the people who are despised, lowly.
(5) command with a Posture
- a heart of humility
God has meant the home to be a place of rest and refuge. But sadly it has become a daily combat ground and battered souls. Instead of hope and harmony, homes have become lack of love and filled with hatred.
We have to tear down every sins, habits, patterns that are breaking into the family. Breakdown every strongholds with the weapons that God given us. We all have great roles to play.
Many people have failed to honour relationships, parents, friendship, grandparents. Example : The Tates Family
What is the solution to bring honour in your family?
Transformation is the answer.
It has to be from the inside out.
Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of our lives and in our famiy.
Ephesians 6:1-9
Exodus 20:12
We give
Respect
Esteem
Significance
Honour to one another
(1) Command with a Priority
- children honour your parents
- an elevation to recognize
- an experience to regard
Honouring your parents is not about their performance. Honouring our parents is about their position, their personhood. No matter how bad they are, God is still their God. Jesus died on the cross for everyone including our parents. Honouring them does not mean we overlook their wrongs and faults, does not mean we give ways to their demands and hurtful ways.
You are ultimately honouring God Himself. It is a step of obedience and a step of faith to believe God that He will intervene and because of that, when you honour God, God will honour you.
This is the only commandment that it will come a day when we cannot keep it. When they are not with us anymore.
(2) command with a Promise
Ephesians 6:2-3
- it may go well with you
- your family will be well
- our days will be lightened
- our days will be lengthened
- our souls may be well
(3) Command with a Principle
- honour begets honour
- what goes round comes around
(4) command with a Purpose
- simply to glorify God
1 Peter 2:17
Learn to honour others who are above or below us. Honour the people who are despised, lowly.
(5) command with a Posture
- a heart of humility
God has meant the home to be a place of rest and refuge. But sadly it has become a daily combat ground and battered souls. Instead of hope and harmony, homes have become lack of love and filled with hatred.
We have to tear down every sins, habits, patterns that are breaking into the family. Breakdown every strongholds with the weapons that God given us. We all have great roles to play.
By God, I Will
Pastor Ronald
Exodus 6:6-8
Romans 10:17
God wants us to know Him cognitively and personally. Faith comes by hearing but faith need to be fortified with experience.
The Lord is :
Omnipotent
Omniscient
Omnipresent
Isaiah 41:13
Exodus 6:9
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labour. The Israelites were jaded (tired, lack of enthusiasm)
The Israelites were jaded possibly due to 2 reasons :
(1) Expectation
- expect God will answer my prayer now
- expect God will not let me suffer
Christians are not granted immunity from sufferings (sins, sins of man, satan)
John 16:33
Please take this cup away from me. Not my will but yours be done. In this moment may you be glorified in my situation. There is a new heaven and earth waiting for me.
Hebrews 11:1
When we come to God, approach Him with the following attitude;
(1) The mind of faith
- what God has done
- what God can do
- what God chooses to do
(2) The heart of faith
- as small as a mustard seed
Exodus 6:6-8
Romans 10:17
God wants us to know Him cognitively and personally. Faith comes by hearing but faith need to be fortified with experience.
The Lord is :
Omnipotent
Omniscient
Omnipresent
Isaiah 41:13
Exodus 6:9
Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labour. The Israelites were jaded (tired, lack of enthusiasm)
The Israelites were jaded possibly due to 2 reasons :
(1) Expectation
- expect God will answer my prayer now
- expect God will not let me suffer
Christians are not granted immunity from sufferings (sins, sins of man, satan)
John 16:33
Please take this cup away from me. Not my will but yours be done. In this moment may you be glorified in my situation. There is a new heaven and earth waiting for me.
Hebrews 11:1
When we come to God, approach Him with the following attitude;
(1) The mind of faith
- what God has done
- what God can do
- what God chooses to do
(2) The heart of faith
- as small as a mustard seed
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Love : The Big Cover-Up?
Rev Robert Lum
LOVE : The Big Cover-Up?
Love that will cover over all multitude of sins
1 Peter 4:8
Fervent Love : Earnest, deeply, intense
We live in a broken world, senseless killing, bitterness, sin-sick world etc. God wants to showcase His love through us in this world. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. Because of the imperfection, somehow we will hurt each other, not that we want to purposely.
Story of Porcupine in winter trying to keep warm with each other.
3 ways we can show God's love :
(1) Accept one another (Romans 14:1; 13)
- We overlook the differences & faults
- We do not judge or try to change the person
- We accept the person, warts & all!
- When you accept doesn't mean you approve
- Who we are to judge by appearance? Let's accept people as they are
Acceptance and Approval are two different things. Approval is based on what we do. Acceptance is based on who we are.
- Ps Brian Atwood -
In essentials, unity;
In non essentials, liberty;
In all things, charity
- Rupertus Meldinius -
(2) Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
- We are patient with people
- We tolerate irritations
- We "tahan" each other (singlish)
Bear with one another in love. It can be done when we love because love is patient.
(3) Forgive one another (Colossians 3:13)
- To forgive is to pardon
- To let go of the grievances and offences
- To release the hurt and the debt owed to us
- Forgive as the Lord forgave you
- God forgave us of all our sins
Psalm 103:2-3
Matthew 18:22
Jeremiah 31:34
Matthew 6:14-15
Romans 5:8
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you
- Lewis Smedes -
One forgives to the degree that one loves
- Francois De La Rochefoucauld -
When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future
- Bernard Meltzer -
LOVE : The Big Cover-Up?
Love that will cover over all multitude of sins
1 Peter 4:8
Fervent Love : Earnest, deeply, intense
We live in a broken world, senseless killing, bitterness, sin-sick world etc. God wants to showcase His love through us in this world. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. Because of the imperfection, somehow we will hurt each other, not that we want to purposely.
Story of Porcupine in winter trying to keep warm with each other.
3 ways we can show God's love :
(1) Accept one another (Romans 14:1; 13)
- We overlook the differences & faults
- We do not judge or try to change the person
- We accept the person, warts & all!
- When you accept doesn't mean you approve
- Who we are to judge by appearance? Let's accept people as they are
Acceptance and Approval are two different things. Approval is based on what we do. Acceptance is based on who we are.
- Ps Brian Atwood -
In essentials, unity;
In non essentials, liberty;
In all things, charity
- Rupertus Meldinius -
(2) Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
- We are patient with people
- We tolerate irritations
- We "tahan" each other (singlish)
Bear with one another in love. It can be done when we love because love is patient.
(3) Forgive one another (Colossians 3:13)
- To forgive is to pardon
- To let go of the grievances and offences
- To release the hurt and the debt owed to us
- Forgive as the Lord forgave you
- God forgave us of all our sins
Psalm 103:2-3
Matthew 18:22
Jeremiah 31:34
Matthew 6:14-15
Romans 5:8
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you
- Lewis Smedes -
One forgives to the degree that one loves
- Francois De La Rochefoucauld -
When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future
- Bernard Meltzer -
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
How to pray?
When you pray, remember the name of the One who hears. Jesus.
Jesus “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Col. 2:15 NLT). He was not kidding when he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18 NIV). Jesus is the command center of the galaxies. “Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it” (Matt. 10:29 NCV). He occupies the Oval Office. He called a coin out of the mouth of a fish. He stopped the waves with a word. He spoke, and a tree withered. He spoke again, and a basket became a banquet. Economy. Meteorology. Botany. Food supply. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matt. 11:27 NRSV).
So pray! Since God works, prayer works. Since God is good, prayer is good. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. You’re never without hope, because you’re never without prayer. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, pull these out of your pocket:
Father,
you are good.
I need help.
Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Jesus “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Col. 2:15 NLT). He was not kidding when he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18 NIV). Jesus is the command center of the galaxies. “Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it” (Matt. 10:29 NCV). He occupies the Oval Office. He called a coin out of the mouth of a fish. He stopped the waves with a word. He spoke, and a tree withered. He spoke again, and a basket became a banquet. Economy. Meteorology. Botany. Food supply. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matt. 11:27 NRSV).
So pray! Since God works, prayer works. Since God is good, prayer is good. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. You’re never without hope, because you’re never without prayer. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, pull these out of your pocket:
Father,
you are good.
I need help.
Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Love Others : Passion in Marriage
Pastor Lee Meng Chiam
Why should I get married?
Ephesians 5:31-33
Marriage is the gospel personified. The greatest earthly representation of the spiritual unity of Christ and His church.
There are 3 pairs of relationship in this passage :
(1) Head and Body
- Submit to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24)
- It comes out of reverence (respect) for Christ
- Christ as the head (Ephesians 5:21)
- Christ is our example (Ephesians 5:25-30)
Love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people."
- C.S. Lewis -
(2) Husband and Wife
- A husband and A wife (Ephesians 5:31)
- Celebrate the differences
- Marriage is God's idea (Genesis 2:24)
Opposites Attract : "Desire"
Opposites Annoy : "Duty"
Opposites Affirmed : "Delight"
(3) Christ and Church
- Showcase the gospel's power
- Filled with the Holy Spirit (The Spirit Power)
Ephesians 5:18
Ephesians 5:32-33
Matthew 22
- The Sacred Promised
Covenant is based on promise, not performance
Husbands love their wives.
Wives respect their husbands.
Agape : Servant love
Philia : Friendship love
Storge : Sibling
Eros : Lover's love
When we see our marriage as contend rather than contest, we are in the new place of being passionate for God.
For richer, for poorer.
For better, for worse.
For sickness, for health.
Till death do us part.
"Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn't a house that protected them; and it wasn't our love that protected them - it was that promise."
- Thornton Wilder -
I didn't marry you because you were perfect. I didn't even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine.
"If you understand what holiness is, you come to see that real happiness is on the far side of holiness, not the near side."
- Timothy Keller -
"The first purpose in marriage - beyond happiness, sexual expression, the bearing of children, companionship, mutual care and provision, or anything else - is to please God. The challenge, of course, is that it is utterly selfless living; rather than asking, "What will make me happy?" we are told that we must ask, "What will make God happy?""
- Gary Thomas -
"Marriage is a laboratory for developing God's love in you. He'll use your spouse to build His values, attitudes, morals and character within you... Marriage is a life-long process designed to teach you to see the needs of another person as more important than your own."
- Rick Warren -
Why should I get married?
Ephesians 5:31-33
Marriage is the gospel personified. The greatest earthly representation of the spiritual unity of Christ and His church.
There are 3 pairs of relationship in this passage :
(1) Head and Body
- Submit to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24)
- It comes out of reverence (respect) for Christ
- Christ as the head (Ephesians 5:21)
- Christ is our example (Ephesians 5:25-30)
Love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people."
- C.S. Lewis -
(2) Husband and Wife
- A husband and A wife (Ephesians 5:31)
- Celebrate the differences
- Marriage is God's idea (Genesis 2:24)
Opposites Attract : "Desire"
Opposites Annoy : "Duty"
Opposites Affirmed : "Delight"
(3) Christ and Church
- Showcase the gospel's power
- Filled with the Holy Spirit (The Spirit Power)
Ephesians 5:18
Ephesians 5:32-33
Matthew 22
- The Sacred Promised
Covenant is based on promise, not performance
Husbands love their wives.
Wives respect their husbands.
Agape : Servant love
Philia : Friendship love
Storge : Sibling
Eros : Lover's love
When we see our marriage as contend rather than contest, we are in the new place of being passionate for God.
For richer, for poorer.
For better, for worse.
For sickness, for health.
Till death do us part.
"Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn't a house that protected them; and it wasn't our love that protected them - it was that promise."
- Thornton Wilder -
I didn't marry you because you were perfect. I didn't even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine.
"If you understand what holiness is, you come to see that real happiness is on the far side of holiness, not the near side."
- Timothy Keller -
"The first purpose in marriage - beyond happiness, sexual expression, the bearing of children, companionship, mutual care and provision, or anything else - is to please God. The challenge, of course, is that it is utterly selfless living; rather than asking, "What will make me happy?" we are told that we must ask, "What will make God happy?""
- Gary Thomas -
"Marriage is a laboratory for developing God's love in you. He'll use your spouse to build His values, attitudes, morals and character within you... Marriage is a life-long process designed to teach you to see the needs of another person as more important than your own."
- Rick Warren -
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Freedom From Idols
Pastor Calvin Lee
Everyday is a gift from God when we wake up alive and as we live by each day. What are some things that take the place of God in our lives each day?
Idols in our lives
Exodus 20:3-5
(1) God is passionately jealous that we worship Him alone
(2) God prohibits the worship of carved image or anything other than Him
(3) God makes it clear that the worship of anything or anyone other than Himself is wrong. Not only wrong but it is sinful.
An idol is anything that we give higher priority other than God Himself. Anything or anyone more important God in our lives is wrong.
Exodus 32:2-8
(1) It is a clear violation of the commandment
- they knew and here they violated
(2) The absence of leadership is a contributing factor to Israel idolatry
(3) The people of Israel failed in their calling as a holy nation that God has called them to be
(4) Divine indignity fell upon them
(5) The people paid a price for their idolatry
1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols
How do you refrain from idols in your life?
(1) Remember the Truth Of God.
- He is God.
a. a divine REQUIREMENT
- No one or nothing that is allowed to be competitor with God. No God substitute
Isaiah 45:18
b. a divine RIGHT
Titus 2:14
c. a divine REALITY
Matthew 6:33
When you honour God He will honour you in your life. When you chase after God, things will chase after you.
(2) Remember the Truth About Ourselves
a. we are God's people
1 Peter 2:9
b. we have a tendency to have idols in our hearts
The heart of man is a perpetual factory of idols
- John Calvin -
What is important to you?
What do you worry about the most?
What occupies your mind?
What do you love the most?
Where is the basis of your trust?
Some examples of idols :
Approval
Achievement
Control
Career
Children
Finance
Family
Possession
Power
Position
Prestige
People
Security
Self
How do you know that something in your heart has become an idol?
- When your can becomes cannot
- When your small 'm' becomes your big 'M' (money, marriage, mobile phone etc)
- When your small 'g' becomes your big 'G' (goals, games, grades, girlfriend, grandchildren, golf)
Don't allow the blessings in your lives to become a burden. The shape of idols may have change but there must still be the basic principle allegiance to God above all else.
(3) Remember the Truths About Idols
a. idols are usually not bad things but good things that have become ultimate things
b. idols will always make you sacrifice for them
c. idols will have you play now bu pay later
d. idols that controls our hearts control our lives
The Christian life is a process of God breaking our idols one by one
- Elisabeth Elliott -
(1) We need to recognise the idols in our lives and hearts
(2) We need to remove that idol by the power of the Holy Spirit
(3) We need to replace that idol with the Love of God
Whatever controls us is our lord.
The person who seeks power is controlled by power.
The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by acceptance.
We do not control ourselves.
We are controlled by the lord of our lives.
- Rebecca Pippert -
Idolatry is a worship in which the honour due to God in Trinity and to Him only is given to some of His creatures or to some invention of His creatures.
- J.C. Ryle -
An idol is anything in our lives that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone. Anything that ... is central in my life, anything that seems to me ... essential ... An idol is anything by which I live and on which I depend, anything that ... holds such a controlling position in my life that ... it moves and rouses and attracts so much of my time and attention, my energy and money.
- D.M. Lloyd-Jones, "Idolatry" in Life in God -
Everyday is a gift from God when we wake up alive and as we live by each day. What are some things that take the place of God in our lives each day?
Idols in our lives
Exodus 20:3-5
(1) God is passionately jealous that we worship Him alone
(2) God prohibits the worship of carved image or anything other than Him
(3) God makes it clear that the worship of anything or anyone other than Himself is wrong. Not only wrong but it is sinful.
An idol is anything that we give higher priority other than God Himself. Anything or anyone more important God in our lives is wrong.
Exodus 32:2-8
(1) It is a clear violation of the commandment
- they knew and here they violated
(2) The absence of leadership is a contributing factor to Israel idolatry
(3) The people of Israel failed in their calling as a holy nation that God has called them to be
(4) Divine indignity fell upon them
(5) The people paid a price for their idolatry
1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols
How do you refrain from idols in your life?
(1) Remember the Truth Of God.
- He is God.
a. a divine REQUIREMENT
- No one or nothing that is allowed to be competitor with God. No God substitute
Isaiah 45:18
b. a divine RIGHT
Titus 2:14
c. a divine REALITY
Matthew 6:33
When you honour God He will honour you in your life. When you chase after God, things will chase after you.
(2) Remember the Truth About Ourselves
a. we are God's people
1 Peter 2:9
b. we have a tendency to have idols in our hearts
The heart of man is a perpetual factory of idols
- John Calvin -
What is important to you?
What do you worry about the most?
What occupies your mind?
What do you love the most?
Where is the basis of your trust?
Some examples of idols :
Approval
Achievement
Control
Career
Children
Finance
Family
Possession
Power
Position
Prestige
People
Security
Self
How do you know that something in your heart has become an idol?
- When your can becomes cannot
- When your small 'm' becomes your big 'M' (money, marriage, mobile phone etc)
- When your small 'g' becomes your big 'G' (goals, games, grades, girlfriend, grandchildren, golf)
Don't allow the blessings in your lives to become a burden. The shape of idols may have change but there must still be the basic principle allegiance to God above all else.
(3) Remember the Truths About Idols
a. idols are usually not bad things but good things that have become ultimate things
b. idols will always make you sacrifice for them
c. idols will have you play now bu pay later
d. idols that controls our hearts control our lives
The Christian life is a process of God breaking our idols one by one
- Elisabeth Elliott -
(1) We need to recognise the idols in our lives and hearts
(2) We need to remove that idol by the power of the Holy Spirit
(3) We need to replace that idol with the Love of God
Whatever controls us is our lord.
The person who seeks power is controlled by power.
The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by acceptance.
We do not control ourselves.
We are controlled by the lord of our lives.
- Rebecca Pippert -
Idolatry is a worship in which the honour due to God in Trinity and to Him only is given to some of His creatures or to some invention of His creatures.
- J.C. Ryle -
An idol is anything in our lives that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone. Anything that ... is central in my life, anything that seems to me ... essential ... An idol is anything by which I live and on which I depend, anything that ... holds such a controlling position in my life that ... it moves and rouses and attracts so much of my time and attention, my energy and money.
- D.M. Lloyd-Jones, "Idolatry" in Life in God -
What Happens When God Says NO?
Pastor David Lim
Acts 16:6-10
- Injustice
- Detour
3 key lessons you need to learn when God says no :
(1) Your dreams must die for HIS Vision to rise
- God closes doors to open other doors
- Upon this detour, Paul met Luke the beloved physician. Paul had faced many beatings and physical sufferings during his missionary journeys. Luke helped him by treating him. Luke also was the one who wrote 20% of the gospel (Luke and Acts). It was also through this detour to Macedonia that Paul found Philippi, the first city to be evangelized by him in Europe.
(2) Know God as Father
- 107 times the word Father was written in the Gospel of John. Greek word of son is Huios
- Ministry is not built on how much you do, but ministry is built on your relationship with God
John 3:16
John 5:19-20
John 20:21
(3) Claim your sonship!
- Reject the orphan spirit
John 14:18
Zephaniah 3:17
This is God's destiny. Don't accept "No" as personal. Let go or becomes bondage. Even if you only have a year to live, you could touch somebody for Jesus and that somebody could do big for Jesus. Don't give up on your dreams and vision for Jesus Christ. Don't lose out on that vision. God has a destiny for everyone of our lives.
Acts 16:6-10
- Injustice
- Detour
3 key lessons you need to learn when God says no :
(1) Your dreams must die for HIS Vision to rise
- God closes doors to open other doors
- Upon this detour, Paul met Luke the beloved physician. Paul had faced many beatings and physical sufferings during his missionary journeys. Luke helped him by treating him. Luke also was the one who wrote 20% of the gospel (Luke and Acts). It was also through this detour to Macedonia that Paul found Philippi, the first city to be evangelized by him in Europe.
(2) Know God as Father
- 107 times the word Father was written in the Gospel of John. Greek word of son is Huios
- Ministry is not built on how much you do, but ministry is built on your relationship with God
John 3:16
John 5:19-20
John 20:21
(3) Claim your sonship!
- Reject the orphan spirit
John 14:18
Zephaniah 3:17
This is God's destiny. Don't accept "No" as personal. Let go or becomes bondage. Even if you only have a year to live, you could touch somebody for Jesus and that somebody could do big for Jesus. Don't give up on your dreams and vision for Jesus Christ. Don't lose out on that vision. God has a destiny for everyone of our lives.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Hero of Faith
by Pastor Ronald
Accomplishment Award Ceremony
Noah and his family's faith
Genesis 6:8-9
(1) Noah walked with God.
- He has an active relationship with God
- (Righteousness) Noah was a righteous man, blameless in the sight of God and man
- (Regularity) Noah relationship with God is passionate, consistent devotion and daily living with God
(2) Noah witness to others
- Pointed out sins in others and directed them to God
- Practiced righteousness in public
- Persevered in righteousness
- Faith is more action than talk
(3) Noah won his family
Hebrews 11:7
James 2:14-17
The father that walked with God will have divine impact not just himself but his family, his blessings through his family, meaning his offsprings
Psalm 1:1-6
Noah not only live right, but he also taught his family to live right. In today's context, it is not just building the needs of the family but also crucial in building the foundation of faith in God
Exodus 20:3-6
2 Peter 2:5
A father PROVIDE physically and spiritually. A father also PROTECT physically and spiritually.
What can we do to keep our family close to God?
- We inspire our family to keep walking with God (lifestyle)
- We instruct our family to keep walking with God
- We inspect if our family is walking with God
Ephesians 6:4
Setting example is not the same as BEING the example. God believe in me to raise my children and family
Accomplishment Award Ceremony
Noah and his family's faith
Genesis 6:8-9
(1) Noah walked with God.
- He has an active relationship with God
- (Righteousness) Noah was a righteous man, blameless in the sight of God and man
- (Regularity) Noah relationship with God is passionate, consistent devotion and daily living with God
(2) Noah witness to others
- Pointed out sins in others and directed them to God
- Practiced righteousness in public
- Persevered in righteousness
- Faith is more action than talk
(3) Noah won his family
Hebrews 11:7
James 2:14-17
The father that walked with God will have divine impact not just himself but his family, his blessings through his family, meaning his offsprings
Psalm 1:1-6
Noah not only live right, but he also taught his family to live right. In today's context, it is not just building the needs of the family but also crucial in building the foundation of faith in God
Exodus 20:3-6
2 Peter 2:5
A father PROVIDE physically and spiritually. A father also PROTECT physically and spiritually.
What can we do to keep our family close to God?
- We inspire our family to keep walking with God (lifestyle)
- We instruct our family to keep walking with God
- We inspect if our family is walking with God
Ephesians 6:4
Setting example is not the same as BEING the example. God believe in me to raise my children and family
Sunday, June 12, 2016
The Ten Plagues
1. Water to Blood
Exodus 7:19
And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
2. Frogs
Exodus 8:2-4
And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading troughs: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
3. Gnats or Lice
Exodus 8:16
And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
4. Flies
Exodus 8:21
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
5. Livestock Diseased
Exodus 9:3
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
6. Boils
Exodus 9:8-9
And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
7. Thunder and Hail
Exodus 9:18
Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
8. Locusts
Exodus 10:4-5
Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field.
9. Darkness
Exodus 10:21-22
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days
10. Death of the Firstborn
Exodus 11:4-5
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Exodus 7:19
And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
2. Frogs
Exodus 8:2-4
And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading troughs: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.
3. Gnats or Lice
Exodus 8:16
And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
4. Flies
Exodus 8:21
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
5. Livestock Diseased
Exodus 9:3
Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
6. Boils
Exodus 9:8-9
And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
7. Thunder and Hail
Exodus 9:18
Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
8. Locusts
Exodus 10:4-5
Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field.
9. Darkness
Exodus 10:21-22
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days
10. Death of the Firstborn
Exodus 11:4-5
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:2-17
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
The big "WHY"? as believers
Why should we love our enemies?
Because our merciful Father causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good.
Why store up treasures in heaven?
Because the Father lives there and will lavishly reward us.
Why live without fear and worry?
Because the same God who clothes the lilies and the grass of the field has promised to take care of us.
Why pray?
If an earthly father gives his son bread or fish, how much more will the Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask?
Because our merciful Father causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good.
Why store up treasures in heaven?
Because the Father lives there and will lavishly reward us.
Why live without fear and worry?
Because the same God who clothes the lilies and the grass of the field has promised to take care of us.
Why pray?
If an earthly father gives his son bread or fish, how much more will the Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask?
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Love self : our thoughts
Love self : our thoughts
Hurtful or helpful
By pastor Calvin lee
How's your mind?
Huge truth about computer (GIGO : garbage in garbage out)
Ralph Waldo Emerson
beware of what you set your heart upon for it shall surely be yours
If you think ...
you will .....
Philippians 4:8-9
Paul is not talking about positive thinking in this verse because positive thinking will not leads you to heaven.
V8 :
is it true
Is it noble
Is it right
Is it pure
Is it lovely
Is it admirable
Is it praiseworthy
Is it excellent
How can we strengthen our thoughts?
. Ponder on v8
. Practice (v9)
. Pray (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
An attitude of worthlessness
. I stink
. No peace with self
An attitude of lovelessness
. You stink
. No peace with others
An attitude of bitterness
. Life stink
. No peace with God
Practice how we think daily. The way we are thinking is important because what we think, say and do has great great impact in our lives. We need to not only adjust but we need to align our thinking with the word of God and meditate on the word.
Joshua 1
The way we think affect interpersonal relationship. The devil wants our mind to be like rubbish dump. Do you want him to succeed?
We need the :
▪ discipline of the mind
▪ discipleship of the mind
John 16:33
Peace is not found in meditation, relationship, security of jobs, bank account etc. Peace is only found in the Person of Jesus Christ.
If you accept a belief, you reap a thought
If you sow a thought, you reap an attitude
If you sow an attitude, you reap an action
If you sow an action, you reap a habit
If you sow a habit, you reap a character
If you sow a character, you reap a destiny
Hurtful or helpful
By pastor Calvin lee
How's your mind?
Huge truth about computer (GIGO : garbage in garbage out)
Ralph Waldo Emerson
beware of what you set your heart upon for it shall surely be yours
If you think ...
you will .....
Philippians 4:8-9
Paul is not talking about positive thinking in this verse because positive thinking will not leads you to heaven.
V8 :
is it true
Is it noble
Is it right
Is it pure
Is it lovely
Is it admirable
Is it praiseworthy
Is it excellent
How can we strengthen our thoughts?
. Ponder on v8
. Practice (v9)
. Pray (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
An attitude of worthlessness
. I stink
. No peace with self
An attitude of lovelessness
. You stink
. No peace with others
An attitude of bitterness
. Life stink
. No peace with God
Practice how we think daily. The way we are thinking is important because what we think, say and do has great great impact in our lives. We need to not only adjust but we need to align our thinking with the word of God and meditate on the word.
Joshua 1
The way we think affect interpersonal relationship. The devil wants our mind to be like rubbish dump. Do you want him to succeed?
We need the :
▪ discipline of the mind
▪ discipleship of the mind
John 16:33
Peace is not found in meditation, relationship, security of jobs, bank account etc. Peace is only found in the Person of Jesus Christ.
If you accept a belief, you reap a thought
If you sow a thought, you reap an attitude
If you sow an attitude, you reap an action
If you sow an action, you reap a habit
If you sow a habit, you reap a character
If you sow a character, you reap a destiny
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Love Self : Our Emotion
by Pastor Scott Tey
Matthew 22:37-39
Matthew 4:18-22
Luke 9:49-56
Mark 10:35-37
John 22:1-5
1 John 4:16
Ephesians 3:16-19
Can any individual be spiritually matured but emotionally immature?
NO!
Emotional health cannot be separated from spiritual maturity
You can't give away what you don't have
Romans 5:5
You can't love unless you have been loved. The BEST YOU is the greatest gift for your neighbour
Jesus is not looking for perfect people but He is looking for imperfect people who are willing to change for him
Matthew 22:37-39
Matthew 4:18-22
Luke 9:49-56
Mark 10:35-37
John 22:1-5
1 John 4:16
Ephesians 3:16-19
Can any individual be spiritually matured but emotionally immature?
NO!
Emotional health cannot be separated from spiritual maturity
You can't give away what you don't have
Romans 5:5
You can't love unless you have been loved. The BEST YOU is the greatest gift for your neighbour
Jesus is not looking for perfect people but He is looking for imperfect people who are willing to change for him
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Love Self Holistically
by Pastor Ronald Yow
Matthew 22:37, 39
The best gift that you can give to others and God is ...... YOU!
To love self is a means to an end (God and others)
To love self is to help us love God and others well
To love self is continues by nurturing a healthy "self"
A healthy self is the harmony of Body, Emotion and Mind + God's intent for all creation
A healthy "self" eventually leads to a life of love
Our self worth and ability to love others is determined by the unconditional death of Jesus on the cross because I am God's child
1 John 3:1
An unhealthy self is someone who experience disintegration which is caused by sins (thoughts, actions that are not kingdom-minded)
The life that Jesus offers is the life that He has and the life that He has is the life that He lives that is being expressed in the trinity which is love and sacrifice
John 10:10
1 John 4:7-8
You will do simply because you have become, through the enablement of the Holy Spirit.
The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it's who you become. That's what you will take into eternity.
- Dallas Willard -
"We arrange our days so that we are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in our everyday life with God."
Matthew 22:37, 39
The best gift that you can give to others and God is ...... YOU!
To love self is a means to an end (God and others)
To love self is to help us love God and others well
To love self is continues by nurturing a healthy "self"
A healthy self is the harmony of Body, Emotion and Mind + God's intent for all creation
A healthy "self" eventually leads to a life of love
Our self worth and ability to love others is determined by the unconditional death of Jesus on the cross because I am God's child
1 John 3:1
An unhealthy self is someone who experience disintegration which is caused by sins (thoughts, actions that are not kingdom-minded)
The life that Jesus offers is the life that He has and the life that He has is the life that He lives that is being expressed in the trinity which is love and sacrifice
John 10:10
1 John 4:7-8
You will do simply because you have become, through the enablement of the Holy Spirit.
The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it's who you become. That's what you will take into eternity.
- Dallas Willard -
"We arrange our days so that we are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in our everyday life with God."
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Wait
by Pastor Bee Ngor
Psalm 130:5-6
Proverbs 3:5
HOPE is the firm expectation of future that is based/anchor on the word of God and in the Person of Jesus Christ, Our ability to wait on the Lord truly stands on our believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
While waiting, we can
(1) Seek the Lord and Pray (Lamentation 3:25)
(2) Rest in the Lord and cease to strive. Know that He's never too late or too early (2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 37:7, 46:10)
(3) Serve the Lord because waiting upon the Lord doesn't mean doing nothing
- God's call is always to people who are actively serving, not dreaming nor do nothing
- there is no such thing as small ministry to God
Why doesn't God just answer us straitway?
- So that we can learn to trust Him
- So that He can mold/conform us into the image of Christ (when people meet us, they get to meet His Son)(Romans 8:29)
- So He can prepare us for His blessings
God is more interested in preparing us for the blessings than prepare the blessings for us.
2 Corinthians 6:14
God wants to bring warning to us, not to kill our job but to prevent us from sorrow.
Delays : God allow is to prepare us for greater blessings.
Psalm 130:5-6
Proverbs 3:5
HOPE is the firm expectation of future that is based/anchor on the word of God and in the Person of Jesus Christ, Our ability to wait on the Lord truly stands on our believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
While waiting, we can
(1) Seek the Lord and Pray (Lamentation 3:25)
(2) Rest in the Lord and cease to strive. Know that He's never too late or too early (2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 37:7, 46:10)
(3) Serve the Lord because waiting upon the Lord doesn't mean doing nothing
- God's call is always to people who are actively serving, not dreaming nor do nothing
- there is no such thing as small ministry to God
Why doesn't God just answer us straitway?
- So that we can learn to trust Him
- So that He can mold/conform us into the image of Christ (when people meet us, they get to meet His Son)(Romans 8:29)
- So He can prepare us for His blessings
God is more interested in preparing us for the blessings than prepare the blessings for us.
2 Corinthians 6:14
God wants to bring warning to us, not to kill our job but to prevent us from sorrow.
Delays : God allow is to prepare us for greater blessings.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
What is Missional?
by Pastor Alvin
Being the gospel wherever you are.
Missional word derives from Mission of God. Being Missional is a mission that is bigger than ourselves. When we choose to be in the room seemingly safe but living in fear, seemingly alive but slowly dying. If we are willing to step out of the house, although our lives are endangered, we get God's peace, experience excitement in doing God's works.
John 20:19-23
Being Missional means;
To Participate in God's Redemptive Mission,
That started with the Father, Modelled through the Son,
Empowered by the Spirit,
To represent the Gospel of God's reign in the world,
By the Consecrated Church
The end goal of the church is the soul of men. Today we have to do the works of God's word incarnated.
Why God chose to use us?
As we partner with God in this mission, we ourselves can be transformed.
If we do not live our lives with goal bigger than ourselves, we will fall into sin Acedia. We will die a slow death. God wanted us to experience His love. He wanted us to spread His love. God is the one who first love. At eden, God sacrificed an animal to sew a covering for Adam and Eve.
God the Father is the first missionary,
God the Son Jesus is the second missionary,
God the Holy Spirit is the third missionary in the Godhead
The Spirit of God needs to be given the space to work supernatural works. We live in the privilege era of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:17-20
As a consecrated church :
(1) We have the authority to correct
(2) We are here to support one another, prayer for one another
(3) We have to be a contrasting community
"Life isn't worth living for, unless you have something worth dying for."
- Martin Luther King JR -
I want to be Missional,
I want to participate in God's redemptive Mission,
That started with the Father,
Modelled through the Son,
Empowered by the Spirit,
to represent the gospel of God's reign in the world,
by the consecrated church
Being the gospel wherever you are.
Missional word derives from Mission of God. Being Missional is a mission that is bigger than ourselves. When we choose to be in the room seemingly safe but living in fear, seemingly alive but slowly dying. If we are willing to step out of the house, although our lives are endangered, we get God's peace, experience excitement in doing God's works.
John 20:19-23
Being Missional means;
To Participate in God's Redemptive Mission,
That started with the Father, Modelled through the Son,
Empowered by the Spirit,
To represent the Gospel of God's reign in the world,
By the Consecrated Church
The end goal of the church is the soul of men. Today we have to do the works of God's word incarnated.
Why God chose to use us?
As we partner with God in this mission, we ourselves can be transformed.
If we do not live our lives with goal bigger than ourselves, we will fall into sin Acedia. We will die a slow death. God wanted us to experience His love. He wanted us to spread His love. God is the one who first love. At eden, God sacrificed an animal to sew a covering for Adam and Eve.
God the Father is the first missionary,
God the Son Jesus is the second missionary,
God the Holy Spirit is the third missionary in the Godhead
The Spirit of God needs to be given the space to work supernatural works. We live in the privilege era of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:17-20
As a consecrated church :
(1) We have the authority to correct
(2) We are here to support one another, prayer for one another
(3) We have to be a contrasting community
"Life isn't worth living for, unless you have something worth dying for."
- Martin Luther King JR -
I want to be Missional,
I want to participate in God's redemptive Mission,
That started with the Father,
Modelled through the Son,
Empowered by the Spirit,
to represent the gospel of God's reign in the world,
by the consecrated church
Friday, April 22, 2016
Faith
by Reverend Jerald Robinson
What Faith Is
How Faith Comes
How to Exercise Faith
Mark 11:12-14
Mark 11:24
Therefore, I say to you. whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
We don't see Him but He lives in us
Psalm 139
Hebrews 11:1
Romans 10:17 (What faith is)
Hope says I hope I get it
Faith says it's mine, I have it now even before the evidence can be seen, be thankful
Faith is firmly persuaded that God can perform
We start with hope and step into faith
Faith begins where the will of God is known
Hearing the word of God
Luke 5:15
Luke 6:17-19
Does asking increase our faith?
Luke 17:5-6
Jesus told his disciples to exercise the faith they already have by speaking
How to exercise Faith?
Romans 10:6-8
Romans 10:9-10
Connection between my heart and my mouth
2 Corinthians 4:13
- Believing and Speaking
- My heart and my mouth
God is a life-speaking spirit and so we are too. We are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body
Mark 11:23-24
James 5:14-15
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the sick...
I believe I receive when I pray
The prayer of faith does not include :
Lord if it be thy will......
The power of the tongue
Proverbs 18:21
It is my choice to speak death or to speak life into everything that concerns me
When I put God's word in my mouth, He watches over me too
POWER OF THE TONGUE
Proverbs 18:21
Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
It is my choice to speak death or to speak life into everything that concerns me. Stop saying,
I cannot sleep
I'm having headache
My hair is...
I do not have...
I cannot get pregnant
I am so afraid
I always fall sick
I am having flu
Christ has redeemed us.....
James 3:2-4
My tongue is a steering wheel of my life
Proverbs 18:20
- hunger pangs
- stomach aches
Jesus told me in Mark 11:23 to speak to the mountain (symptoms)
What Faith Is
How Faith Comes
How to Exercise Faith
Mark 11:12-14
Mark 11:24
Therefore, I say to you. whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
We don't see Him but He lives in us
Psalm 139
Hebrews 11:1
Romans 10:17 (What faith is)
Hope says I hope I get it
Faith says it's mine, I have it now even before the evidence can be seen, be thankful
Faith is firmly persuaded that God can perform
We start with hope and step into faith
Faith begins where the will of God is known
Hearing the word of God
Luke 5:15
Luke 6:17-19
Does asking increase our faith?
Luke 17:5-6
Jesus told his disciples to exercise the faith they already have by speaking
How to exercise Faith?
Romans 10:6-8
Romans 10:9-10
Connection between my heart and my mouth
2 Corinthians 4:13
- Believing and Speaking
- My heart and my mouth
God is a life-speaking spirit and so we are too. We are a spirit, we have a soul and we live in a body
Mark 11:23-24
James 5:14-15
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the sick...
I believe I receive when I pray
The prayer of faith does not include :
Lord if it be thy will......
The power of the tongue
Proverbs 18:21
It is my choice to speak death or to speak life into everything that concerns me
When I put God's word in my mouth, He watches over me too
POWER OF THE TONGUE
Proverbs 18:21
Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
It is my choice to speak death or to speak life into everything that concerns me. Stop saying,
I cannot sleep
I'm having headache
My hair is...
I do not have...
I cannot get pregnant
I am so afraid
I always fall sick
I am having flu
Christ has redeemed us.....
James 3:2-4
My tongue is a steering wheel of my life
Proverbs 18:20
- hunger pangs
- stomach aches
Jesus told me in Mark 11:23 to speak to the mountain (symptoms)
Sunday, April 10, 2016
The Ultimate Wedding
by Pastor Calvin Lee
Wedding is a time of great celebration
Revelation 19:9
Revelation 20
Revelation 21:1-7
Isaiah 62:5
Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb! And he added, these are the true words of God
3 things on heaven :
Heaven will be a place to rest. It will be our marital home, it is a place of restoration and heaven will be our perfect place.
(1) A Place of Rest
(2) A Place of Restoration
(3) A Place of rejoicing
"Write this" denotes ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY
"Blessed are those who are invited" denotes ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
"Wedding Supper" denotes AWESOME CELEBRATION
"Lamb" denotes ATONING SACRIFICE
"These are the true words of God" denotes AUTHORITATIVE WORD
How should we respond to God knowing that the wedding will surely take place?
(1) Love Him and others more (obey and surrender)
(2) Look forward and look up (happy ending, great anticipation of Christ marriage supper)
(3) Live today in the light of that day!
(4) Let others know about this grand wedding (be missional, blow the trumpet)
Everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright, it is not the end
Sometimes we are so earthbound and we're no longer excited about the future great day of Christ coming
When we die, there will be a transformation in our body, there will be an examination that we must give an account to Him, there will be a celebration
Have you accepted the invitation?
Are you ready to meet our maker
Wedding is a time of great celebration
Revelation 19:9
Revelation 20
Revelation 21:1-7
Isaiah 62:5
Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb! And he added, these are the true words of God
3 things on heaven :
Heaven will be a place to rest. It will be our marital home, it is a place of restoration and heaven will be our perfect place.
(1) A Place of Rest
(2) A Place of Restoration
(3) A Place of rejoicing
"Write this" denotes ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY
"Blessed are those who are invited" denotes ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
"Wedding Supper" denotes AWESOME CELEBRATION
"Lamb" denotes ATONING SACRIFICE
"These are the true words of God" denotes AUTHORITATIVE WORD
How should we respond to God knowing that the wedding will surely take place?
(1) Love Him and others more (obey and surrender)
(2) Look forward and look up (happy ending, great anticipation of Christ marriage supper)
(3) Live today in the light of that day!
(4) Let others know about this grand wedding (be missional, blow the trumpet)
Everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright, it is not the end
Sometimes we are so earthbound and we're no longer excited about the future great day of Christ coming
When we die, there will be a transformation in our body, there will be an examination that we must give an account to Him, there will be a celebration
Have you accepted the invitation?
Are you ready to meet our maker
Sunday, April 3, 2016
The Kingdom of God
by Pastor Peter Tsukahira
What does it mean to be in the kingdom of God?
What is Israel relation to the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God on earth of Israel
- People who lived their lives on earth to rule this place as kings
- Abraham
Exodus 19:5
- God became King and the people who became the kingdom
- It was the sovereign choice of God to choose Israel as the priestly kingdom and holy nation
Israel is the older brother in kingdom of Christianity
- Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:3)
- Prophet Samuel
- King David
- Apostle Paul
- Lord Jesus
Human being are the crown of God's creation
If you want to get something from God, you go to His house, not empty-handed. You bring a gift. Your gift is the "YES decision" before you take that to the House of God. Your gift will be burnt as a sweet aroma, it will put on the altar and it's not yours anymore.
God created every human to be gifted. Everyone is gifted. Every gift was made cast down, design before that person was born.
What does it mean to be in the kingdom of God?
What is Israel relation to the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God on earth of Israel
- People who lived their lives on earth to rule this place as kings
- Abraham
Exodus 19:5
- God became King and the people who became the kingdom
- It was the sovereign choice of God to choose Israel as the priestly kingdom and holy nation
Israel is the older brother in kingdom of Christianity
- Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:3)
- Prophet Samuel
- King David
- Apostle Paul
- Lord Jesus
Human being are the crown of God's creation
If you want to get something from God, you go to His house, not empty-handed. You bring a gift. Your gift is the "YES decision" before you take that to the House of God. Your gift will be burnt as a sweet aroma, it will put on the altar and it's not yours anymore.
God created every human to be gifted. Everyone is gifted. Every gift was made cast down, design before that person was born.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
The Engagement
by Pastor Ronald
It was Jesus' love for the Father that he stayed on the cross. It was the Father's will to keep Jesus on the cross. The greatest love story is being demonstrated on the cross. As Christians, our hearts are to be filled with gratitude. The church is the bride. Jesus is the groom.
Accept Christ --> Engagement -->Return of Christ
(Divine Love Relationship)
God's Engagement Ring
- Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
Acts 1:9-11
Our Engagement Ring
- Obey God's command
- Live a way of life that will reflects Jesus love
- Jesus chose to born humbly and as human
Can an Engagement be cancelled/called off? YES YES YES
Engagement Period
- Tests our Commitment
- it is our commitment that is being tested, not God's because He is faithful ALWAYS & FOREVER
- Transform us
- We mirrors Jesus in His inner attributes, not external image Romans 8:38-39
John 10:27-30
2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 2:13
Once Saved Is NOT Always Saved. We are referring to Eternal Security
1 Corinthians 9:27
Romans 8:37-39
Philippians 2:12-13
- There is still the "Self" factor involve
Salvation has always been by grace and grace alone
Your bad things need not keep you from heaven
Your good things will not leads you to heaven
Don't think that you have arrived!
- We were saved because God saved us
- We are saved now because of the grace of God
- Salvation is in the future. It is a matter of completion. We make sure that we live our lives in Christ and we do not walk out of our own salvation on earth
The process of Salvation is Develop - Nurture - Produce Fruits
How do we grow in love?
- Recognise our lack of love
- Reach for the power of the Holy Spirit
- Response with love
It was Jesus' love for the Father that he stayed on the cross. It was the Father's will to keep Jesus on the cross. The greatest love story is being demonstrated on the cross. As Christians, our hearts are to be filled with gratitude. The church is the bride. Jesus is the groom.
Accept Christ --> Engagement -->Return of Christ
(Divine Love Relationship)
God's Engagement Ring
- Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
Acts 1:9-11
Our Engagement Ring
- Obey God's command
- Live a way of life that will reflects Jesus love
- Jesus chose to born humbly and as human
Can an Engagement be cancelled/called off? YES YES YES
Engagement Period
- Tests our Commitment
- it is our commitment that is being tested, not God's because He is faithful ALWAYS & FOREVER
- Transform us
- We mirrors Jesus in His inner attributes, not external image Romans 8:38-39
John 10:27-30
2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 2:13
Once Saved Is NOT Always Saved. We are referring to Eternal Security
1 Corinthians 9:27
Romans 8:37-39
Philippians 2:12-13
- There is still the "Self" factor involve
Salvation has always been by grace and grace alone
Your bad things need not keep you from heaven
Your good things will not leads you to heaven
Don't think that you have arrived!
- We were saved because God saved us
- We are saved now because of the grace of God
- Salvation is in the future. It is a matter of completion. We make sure that we live our lives in Christ and we do not walk out of our own salvation on earth
The process of Salvation is Develop - Nurture - Produce Fruits
How do we grow in love?
- Recognise our lack of love
- Reach for the power of the Holy Spirit
- Response with love
Sunday, March 20, 2016
The Proposal
by Pastor Benjamin Wong
Matthew 22:1-14
Acts 2:37-38
Romans 4:16
Parable of the Wedding Feast
God's offer
Matthew 22:1-2
John 10:10
John 15:11
- A Life of Joy & Abundance
Who is God the Father to you?
- A Loving Father
- An Invitation to Life
- A Life of Joy & Abundance
Our choices determine the outcome of our lives. We are free to make any choices but we are not free from the consequences of the choices.
Proverbs 14:12
Deuteronomy 30:19
What can stop us from accepting the invitation?
PRIDE
Lost and not knowing it!
- People are blinded with that self sufficiency in life
- Do not allow pride to stand between you and God in the need of time
- Even when God wants to help us, He cannot because we didn't allow Him to
PRE-OCCUPATION
- Leaving God's best to pursue something less
- We forgot to put God into our equation plan
- Do we allow fear to cripple us?
- We are so occupied with the concerns of life
Only then can we experience the redeemed time if we allow Him, if we include Him
All the miserable pains in our lives, it is not God. It is sin & satan
MAN'S OPPORTUNITY
Romans 4:16
- We cannot come to the Lord with our own righteousness. It is with God's righteousness that we can come to Him
Ephesians 4:22-24
- We need to be deliberate to follow the Lord. That is the difference between "Accepting vs Serving", "Joining Church vs Being in church"
"The Greatness of God doesn't lie in exercising power to control our lives but in allowing us to make our own choices and follow our own path"
Matthew 22:1-14
Acts 2:37-38
Romans 4:16
Parable of the Wedding Feast
God's offer
Matthew 22:1-2
John 10:10
John 15:11
- A Life of Joy & Abundance
Who is God the Father to you?
- A Loving Father
- An Invitation to Life
- A Life of Joy & Abundance
Our choices determine the outcome of our lives. We are free to make any choices but we are not free from the consequences of the choices.
Proverbs 14:12
Deuteronomy 30:19
What can stop us from accepting the invitation?
PRIDE
Lost and not knowing it!
- People are blinded with that self sufficiency in life
- Do not allow pride to stand between you and God in the need of time
- Even when God wants to help us, He cannot because we didn't allow Him to
PRE-OCCUPATION
- Leaving God's best to pursue something less
- We forgot to put God into our equation plan
- Do we allow fear to cripple us?
- We are so occupied with the concerns of life
Only then can we experience the redeemed time if we allow Him, if we include Him
All the miserable pains in our lives, it is not God. It is sin & satan
MAN'S OPPORTUNITY
Romans 4:16
- We cannot come to the Lord with our own righteousness. It is with God's righteousness that we can come to Him
Ephesians 4:22-24
- We need to be deliberate to follow the Lord. That is the difference between "Accepting vs Serving", "Joining Church vs Being in church"
"The Greatness of God doesn't lie in exercising power to control our lives but in allowing us to make our own choices and follow our own path"
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The greatest LOVE story - The Ultimate Dowry
by Pastor Calvin Lee
We are the bride of Jesus Christ and He paid the ultimate dowry with His life. It is call Blood Dowry.
1 Peter 1:18-21
# What We are Redeemed from?
Answer : SINS
- We were redeemed from an empty way of life. We were being enslaved by the power and penalty of sin. Because of that, we deserved death
# What were we redeemed with?
Answer : BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
- We are not redeemed with anything perishable except the blood
- Why only the blood of Jesus Christ? Because Sin demands Justice, and Justice demands a Price, Price demands death. Therefore, Jesus Christ came to die for us
Let's take a look at "Why the blood is precious?"
- Because it is personal, it was shed for me
- Because it is perfect, Jesus Christ is without blemish, without defect
- Because it is powerful, there is power in the blood of the lamb and we overcame by the blood of the lamb. Our sins are washed away
- Because it is perpetual meaning it is everlasting. No matter what we have done, no matter how much we have gone from Him, He shed the blood for us
# What were we redeemed to?
Answer : A LIFE OF FAITH & HOPE IN GOD
- We have a heavenly hope
- We have a living hope, we are not hopeless people. We are hopeful people
# What were we redeemed for?
Answer : FOR THE PURPOSE OF GOD
- To have the passion for God
- To have the purpose in life
Therefore, then how should we response to Him?
(1) Completely putting our hope in the return of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:13
"Let us move towards that destination"
(2) Continually transforming into the likeness of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:14-16
(3) Carefully walking in the fear of God
1 Peter 1:17
- We have been delivered from the slave market, don't ever go back or look back again
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom
(4) Confidently thankful of the redemption of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:18-23
- Look at the cross and be reminded always
If the meditation on the cross be meagre, can our lives for the Saviour be great?
- Frederick Leahy -
We are the bride of Jesus Christ and He paid the ultimate dowry with His life. It is call Blood Dowry.
1 Peter 1:18-21
# What We are Redeemed from?
Answer : SINS
- We were redeemed from an empty way of life. We were being enslaved by the power and penalty of sin. Because of that, we deserved death
# What were we redeemed with?
Answer : BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
- We are not redeemed with anything perishable except the blood
- Why only the blood of Jesus Christ? Because Sin demands Justice, and Justice demands a Price, Price demands death. Therefore, Jesus Christ came to die for us
Let's take a look at "Why the blood is precious?"
- Because it is personal, it was shed for me
- Because it is perfect, Jesus Christ is without blemish, without defect
- Because it is powerful, there is power in the blood of the lamb and we overcame by the blood of the lamb. Our sins are washed away
- Because it is perpetual meaning it is everlasting. No matter what we have done, no matter how much we have gone from Him, He shed the blood for us
# What were we redeemed to?
Answer : A LIFE OF FAITH & HOPE IN GOD
- We have a heavenly hope
- We have a living hope, we are not hopeless people. We are hopeful people
# What were we redeemed for?
Answer : FOR THE PURPOSE OF GOD
- To have the passion for God
- To have the purpose in life
Therefore, then how should we response to Him?
(1) Completely putting our hope in the return of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:13
"Let us move towards that destination"
(2) Continually transforming into the likeness of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:14-16
(3) Carefully walking in the fear of God
1 Peter 1:17
- We have been delivered from the slave market, don't ever go back or look back again
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom
(4) Confidently thankful of the redemption of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:18-23
- Look at the cross and be reminded always
If the meditation on the cross be meagre, can our lives for the Saviour be great?
- Frederick Leahy -
Sunday, February 28, 2016
The Pursuit
by Pastor Scott Tey
Hosea 1:2-9
Hosea 3:1-3
This book is about adultery, about promiscuity, about abandonment
Hosea means Salvation
Gomer means Completion
Salvation is important but it is not the pinnacle of Christianity. Restoration is the pinnacle of Christianity.
God pursues me first, not me Him. That's how much He Loves me
Where there is salvation there is completion. Where there is God's love and His hand upon our lives, there is completion.
Children born unto Hosea but not his flesh & blood :
Jezreel = bloody trash
Lo-Ruhamah = no favour
Lo-Ammi = not my people
God's pursue of us is relentless. Although we go deeper & deeper into sin, God's love dive deeper and deeper to find us. Although no one wants us, we are used, old, trash, God will not stop loving us. Nothing is grander than the act of God. Hosea has to give up everything to save his wife who continued to fall into harlotry even after marriage. In those days, 30 shekels is equivalent to about $60,000 in our times! After saving his wife, Hosea said to her to stay with him.
Jesus pursues us to redeem us and to restore us! God will not remember our sins of the past because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Hosea 1:2-9
Hosea 3:1-3
This book is about adultery, about promiscuity, about abandonment
Hosea means Salvation
Gomer means Completion
Salvation is important but it is not the pinnacle of Christianity. Restoration is the pinnacle of Christianity.
God pursues me first, not me Him. That's how much He Loves me
Where there is salvation there is completion. Where there is God's love and His hand upon our lives, there is completion.
Children born unto Hosea but not his flesh & blood :
Jezreel = bloody trash
Lo-Ruhamah = no favour
Lo-Ammi = not my people
God's pursue of us is relentless. Although we go deeper & deeper into sin, God's love dive deeper and deeper to find us. Although no one wants us, we are used, old, trash, God will not stop loving us. Nothing is grander than the act of God. Hosea has to give up everything to save his wife who continued to fall into harlotry even after marriage. In those days, 30 shekels is equivalent to about $60,000 in our times! After saving his wife, Hosea said to her to stay with him.
Jesus pursues us to redeem us and to restore us! God will not remember our sins of the past because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Saturday, February 20, 2016
The Greatest Love Story - The Breakup
by Pastor Calvin Lee
The Father's Desire
Genesis 2:8-10, 15-16
1. The Life that God gives
2. The Living environment that God creates
The Enemy Disception
Genesis 3:1-5
1. Doubt through Misrepresentation
2. Confusion through half-truths
3. Lies through Power of Suggestion
The woman's Disobedience
Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6
1. Good for food (lust of the flesh)
2. Pleasing to the eyes (lust of the eyes)
3. Pride of Life
The man's Deflection
Genesis 3:12
Important Lessons to learn :
- Conflicts are normal in every relationship
- Fight the common enemy (the devil, satan), not among ourselves
- Instead of recognising who the real enemy is, they turned on each other
- Instead of accepting the responsibility, they attempted to shift the blame somewhere else other than themselves
- Instead of admitting their guilt, they tried to cover themselves with aprons of leaves
- Instead of placing God first, they broke the chain of command (God-Adam-Eve-Creature)
- Instead of trusting in God's Word, they doubted and disobeyed God's Word
- Instead of running to God, they ran away from God (it is not Adam and Eve who sought God but it is God who seek after them after they fell)
The Gracians Devotion :
- Appreciate the tremendous heart and love of God for us
- Accept God's guidance even when we don't fully understand it but trust that He has our best interest
- Acknowledge there is an enemy who seeks to separate us from God
- Admit when we're wrong and take responsibility
- Daily ask for God's strength to obey Him
Breakup is very painful not just in physical relation, but also in spiritual relationship. God is painful when we stray away from Him.
God's Plan Is One That Turns RUIN to REDEMPTION !!
The Father's Desire
Genesis 2:8-10, 15-16
1. The Life that God gives
2. The Living environment that God creates
The Enemy Disception
Genesis 3:1-5
1. Doubt through Misrepresentation
2. Confusion through half-truths
3. Lies through Power of Suggestion
The woman's Disobedience
Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6
1. Good for food (lust of the flesh)
2. Pleasing to the eyes (lust of the eyes)
3. Pride of Life
The man's Deflection
Genesis 3:12
Important Lessons to learn :
- Conflicts are normal in every relationship
- Fight the common enemy (the devil, satan), not among ourselves
- Instead of recognising who the real enemy is, they turned on each other
- Instead of accepting the responsibility, they attempted to shift the blame somewhere else other than themselves
- Instead of admitting their guilt, they tried to cover themselves with aprons of leaves
- Instead of placing God first, they broke the chain of command (God-Adam-Eve-Creature)
- Instead of trusting in God's Word, they doubted and disobeyed God's Word
- Instead of running to God, they ran away from God (it is not Adam and Eve who sought God but it is God who seek after them after they fell)
The Gracians Devotion :
- Appreciate the tremendous heart and love of God for us
- Accept God's guidance even when we don't fully understand it but trust that He has our best interest
- Acknowledge there is an enemy who seeks to separate us from God
- Admit when we're wrong and take responsibility
- Daily ask for God's strength to obey Him
Breakup is very painful not just in physical relation, but also in spiritual relationship. God is painful when we stray away from Him.
God's Plan Is One That Turns RUIN to REDEMPTION !!
Friday, February 19, 2016
A Strong Family
- Be GODLY parents
- Members of the family have love and devotion to one another
- PARENTS LOVE ONE ANOTHER
- ATTEND CHURCH TOGETHER
- Be CONSISTENCY in your word and action
- Be GOOD LISTENER to your children
- DISCIPLINE CHILDREN WITHOUT REJECTION (Don't discipline them in your anger, they will feel it). When you slap your child there is some psychological feelings going on
- DON'T PLAY FAVOURITE especially when you have more than 1 child
- ADMIT that we fail
- They will listen to you when you listen to them
- PRAYING together about everything
- LISTEN to your kids pray
- READ the bible together
- EXPLAIN to your children how to handle their MONEY (Save some, Spend some, Give some). The biblical way is tithing
- DISCOURAGE any kind of CRITICISM (if you don't like something or someone, keep it to yourself). Criticism can destroy self esteem
- At the proper age, SHARE YOUR HEARTACHES, YOUR BURDENS, YOUR DIFFICULT TIMES, YOUR TRIALS to your children
- DON'T AVOID HARD QUESTIONS
Anything you can do to get the children into the Word of God will save you a lot of heartaches and pains in future.
- Members of the family have love and devotion to one another
- PARENTS LOVE ONE ANOTHER
- ATTEND CHURCH TOGETHER
- Be CONSISTENCY in your word and action
- Be GOOD LISTENER to your children
- DISCIPLINE CHILDREN WITHOUT REJECTION (Don't discipline them in your anger, they will feel it). When you slap your child there is some psychological feelings going on
- DON'T PLAY FAVOURITE especially when you have more than 1 child
- ADMIT that we fail
- They will listen to you when you listen to them
- PRAYING together about everything
- LISTEN to your kids pray
- READ the bible together
- EXPLAIN to your children how to handle their MONEY (Save some, Spend some, Give some). The biblical way is tithing
- DISCOURAGE any kind of CRITICISM (if you don't like something or someone, keep it to yourself). Criticism can destroy self esteem
- At the proper age, SHARE YOUR HEARTACHES, YOUR BURDENS, YOUR DIFFICULT TIMES, YOUR TRIALS to your children
- DON'T AVOID HARD QUESTIONS
Anything you can do to get the children into the Word of God will save you a lot of heartaches and pains in future.
The Beloved
by Pastor Lee Meng Cham
Genesis 1:27-28
You do know you are dearly loved
- when you are at your worst
- so that you can be better
We are created in love, for love, and to love. We are the object of God's love
(1) We are special, God's love for us is intentional; created in love
- We are one off, not created out of an assembly line
- We are waited on by Creation (created on 6th day, born after 9 months)
- We are personally formed, from dust (handmade), shaped artistically. God did another act to create Adam. That is, breathe into the nostril. God didn't do that to any other creation
- God handpicked Eve
- We are made in the image of God
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere moral.
*CS Lewis*
(2) We are Valued; created for love
- You matter to God
- God's love is relational in the Garden of Eden, in the Granting of Eve
Psalm 8:3-4
God is a relational God. The Trinity is Interdependent.
You are priceless to God - You are His Beloved
(3) We are Trusted; created to love
- God's love is missional
- To be loved is to be chosen
- To be loved is to be commissioned
In the end it will be OK. If it is not OK, it is not the end.
Genesis 1:27-28
You do know you are dearly loved
- when you are at your worst
- so that you can be better
We are created in love, for love, and to love. We are the object of God's love
(1) We are special, God's love for us is intentional; created in love
- We are one off, not created out of an assembly line
- We are waited on by Creation (created on 6th day, born after 9 months)
- We are personally formed, from dust (handmade), shaped artistically. God did another act to create Adam. That is, breathe into the nostril. God didn't do that to any other creation
- God handpicked Eve
- We are made in the image of God
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere moral.
*CS Lewis*
(2) We are Valued; created for love
- You matter to God
- God's love is relational in the Garden of Eden, in the Granting of Eve
Psalm 8:3-4
God is a relational God. The Trinity is Interdependent.
You are priceless to God - You are His Beloved
(3) We are Trusted; created to love
- God's love is missional
- To be loved is to be chosen
- To be loved is to be commissioned
In the end it will be OK. If it is not OK, it is not the end.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Carrying One's Cross
taken from "Remember Jesus - 50 Days of Reading and Reflection"
The disciple is a learner. A disciple of Christ follows the teachings and example of his Lord. Carrying the cross is a distinguishing mark of discipleship.
When Christ carried His cross, He walked the path of humility. This implies that His fervent disciple should display the distinct characteristic of meekness. The true follower of Christ takes pain to abandon selfish desires. He works hard at being selfless.
The man of meekness turns the other cheek when in verbal combat. Having nothing to say may sometimes be a clever thing to do. He may even sense a loss of dignity, but he deliberately chooses to honour God rather than to please man.
The person who insists on personal right and freedom cares not, first of all, for the benefit or comfort of others. Selfish concerns is the antithesis to genuine and ungrudging outreach to friends and foes alike. Despite private pursuits of wisdom, wealth and health, the authentic disciple balances time and activities to meet needs of the less fortunate.
He does not call attention to his achievements, experience or qualifications and is willing to let others be considered before him. He merely presses on with perseverance, fulfilling purpose with an eternal perspective.
The cross symbolises disgrace, degradation and death. The call to discipleship is about promotion in godly ranks but quiet submission to the will of God.
Which specific humble step are you proceeding today?
The disciple is a learner. A disciple of Christ follows the teachings and example of his Lord. Carrying the cross is a distinguishing mark of discipleship.
When Christ carried His cross, He walked the path of humility. This implies that His fervent disciple should display the distinct characteristic of meekness. The true follower of Christ takes pain to abandon selfish desires. He works hard at being selfless.
The man of meekness turns the other cheek when in verbal combat. Having nothing to say may sometimes be a clever thing to do. He may even sense a loss of dignity, but he deliberately chooses to honour God rather than to please man.
The person who insists on personal right and freedom cares not, first of all, for the benefit or comfort of others. Selfish concerns is the antithesis to genuine and ungrudging outreach to friends and foes alike. Despite private pursuits of wisdom, wealth and health, the authentic disciple balances time and activities to meet needs of the less fortunate.
He does not call attention to his achievements, experience or qualifications and is willing to let others be considered before him. He merely presses on with perseverance, fulfilling purpose with an eternal perspective.
The cross symbolises disgrace, degradation and death. The call to discipleship is about promotion in godly ranks but quiet submission to the will of God.
Which specific humble step are you proceeding today?
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
One Generation Away
- Pastor Joey
Judgess 2:6-15
Spiritual education is very important
- What would you have done for the next generation in the next 10 years?
- Losing them in secularism?
- Losing them to faithlessness?
- In the ways of the world?
- If not now then when, if not here then where, if not you then who?
Point 1
We are one generation away from losing the zeal of God
Point 2
We are one generation away from the judgement of God. Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us that our God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God.
Point 3
We are one generation away from making a difference for God
3 tactical steps that we can help the next generation :
- Model for us (in the house, at work, in church)
- Serve with us (be spiritual sign post, be the experience banks, be the knowledge banks)
- Pray with us
Dr. Bruce Principles - 3 Chairs Principles
Chair One: COMMITMENT
The first chair person is a believer in Jesus, but has gone beyond accepting the gift of salvation to willfully being under Christi’s authority and direction. This person knows the Lord as a personal friend and Savior, and is developing a meaningful and growing relationship with Him for himself and those he’s responsible for. They are deeply committed to Jesus Christ in all they do.
Chair Two: COMPROMISE
The second chair represents someone who has received new life in Christ but hasn’t decided how little or much they will follow Him. He claims to believe all the same truths as someone in the first chair, follows the Christian ‘lifestyle’ in many outward ways, and usually has the best intentions. But instability and inconsistency mark his course. Children who grow up in a Christian home tend to sit in Chair Two. Also, it is easy for Christians to slide from Chair One to Chair Two.
Chair Three: CONFLICT
The third chair stands for someone who has not responded personally to God. A third chair person may have always known he wasn’t a Christian, or may be confused about his spiritual state. Especially if he has grown up in a Christian family surrounded by God-talk, he may look, act, feel, and think like Christians – almost. But a gulf of sin and rebellion lies between him and God. Until he repents of his sin and surrenders to Jesus Christ for salvation, he is at odds with his Creator and his purpose in life. A person who grows up in the home of Chair Two parents tends to sit in Chair Three. Having seen Christianity in name only, they reject it as they get older.
Judgess 2:6-15
Spiritual education is very important
- What would you have done for the next generation in the next 10 years?
- Losing them in secularism?
- Losing them to faithlessness?
- In the ways of the world?
- If not now then when, if not here then where, if not you then who?
Point 1
We are one generation away from losing the zeal of God
Point 2
We are one generation away from the judgement of God. Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us that our God is a devouring fire; He is a jealous God.
Point 3
We are one generation away from making a difference for God
3 tactical steps that we can help the next generation :
- Model for us (in the house, at work, in church)
- Serve with us (be spiritual sign post, be the experience banks, be the knowledge banks)
- Pray with us
Dr. Bruce Principles - 3 Chairs Principles
Chair One: COMMITMENT
The first chair person is a believer in Jesus, but has gone beyond accepting the gift of salvation to willfully being under Christi’s authority and direction. This person knows the Lord as a personal friend and Savior, and is developing a meaningful and growing relationship with Him for himself and those he’s responsible for. They are deeply committed to Jesus Christ in all they do.
Chair Two: COMPROMISE
The second chair represents someone who has received new life in Christ but hasn’t decided how little or much they will follow Him. He claims to believe all the same truths as someone in the first chair, follows the Christian ‘lifestyle’ in many outward ways, and usually has the best intentions. But instability and inconsistency mark his course. Children who grow up in a Christian home tend to sit in Chair Two. Also, it is easy for Christians to slide from Chair One to Chair Two.
Chair Three: CONFLICT
The third chair stands for someone who has not responded personally to God. A third chair person may have always known he wasn’t a Christian, or may be confused about his spiritual state. Especially if he has grown up in a Christian family surrounded by God-talk, he may look, act, feel, and think like Christians – almost. But a gulf of sin and rebellion lies between him and God. Until he repents of his sin and surrenders to Jesus Christ for salvation, he is at odds with his Creator and his purpose in life. A person who grows up in the home of Chair Two parents tends to sit in Chair Three. Having seen Christianity in name only, they reject it as they get older.
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