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 -
Thursday, July 28, 2016
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.
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