by Pastor Eelyn Poh
Luke 2:25-32
3 P's that ends the wait :
1. A place of divine Appointment
Luke 2:27
# There were 4 groups of people during the 400 silent years between the book of Malachi and Matthew. These people are Pharisees, Saducees, Zealots, Essenes
# But Simeon didn't join any of these groups
Chronos
Time in general or time in which anything is done
Kairos
Strategic or right time, the opportune point of time which something should be done
John 4:3-4
2. Power of the Holy Spirit
v25
The Holy Spirit was upon him
v26
It had been revealed by the Holy Spirit
v27
So he came by the Spirit into the temple....
John 4:13-16
Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman
v13-15
Living waters
v16
Husband
v20 - religion
Samaritan woman argue about Religion
v23 - heart
God is not looking at just your worship but God is looking at your heart
John 4:39-42
Psalm 16:8-11
Isaiah 55:8
3. Passion for people
v25
Simeon was waiting for the comfort of Israel
v26
He will not see death before he sees the lord Christ
v32
A light to lighten the gentiles and a glory of the people, Israel
John 4:6
Jesus having traveled such great distance was wearied from his journey ....
John 4:27
The unspoken prejudice in the disciples heart
One act of kindness is worth a lifetime of sermons preached
by Pastor Richard Wee
What is being spiritual?
- being involved in church activities doesn't mean spiritual.
- read the bible over & over again doesn't mean spiritual
- pray to God everyday doesn't mean spiritual
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
"The person without the spirit does not accept the things that come from the spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the spirit. The person with the spirit makes judgements about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgements, for, "who has known the mind of the lord so as to instruct him?" but we have the mind of Christ."
There are 2 types of food offered in the bible :
- Milk
- Solid Food
John 3:16 (Milk)
"For God so loved the world that He have his only begotten son that shosoever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life"
God's word instructions and commandments, everyday living principles (Solid Food)
When God speaks and when God works, sometimes it is not logical. It is very easy for us to accept absurd ways of God about other's story when we already know how the story ends. But when God speak to you, or send you to somewhere.... the story is still continuing in your life.
Being spiritual is to accept the lordship of God. Sometimes even your loved one do not understand you. Hang on, pray through and continue to believe.
Being Spiritual :
1. is to accept the Will of God
2. is to discern all things
3. is to having the mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-8
"As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did. In his very nature he was God. Jesus was equal with God. But Jesus didn’t take advantage of that fact. Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings. He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross!"
Self sacrifice
Service
Obedience to death
Why be spiritual? Because :
- We are spiritual beings
- We have the Spirit of God
- We get revelation from God's Spirit
- We overcome warfare between spirit and flesh
Once saved is not always saved. We have the freedom of choice to choose 24/7
4. is to live in His Will with gladness
How can we be spiritual?
1 Corinthians 14:2
"Anyone who speaks in a language they had not known before doesn’t speak to people. They speak only to God. In fact, no one understands them. What they say by the Spirit remains a mystery"
- Connect with God
- Accept
- Obey
- Act
The Day of the Lord is coming
1 Thessalonians 5
"Brothers and sisters, we don’t have to write to you about times and dates. You know very well how the day of the Lord will come. It will come like a thief in the night. People will be saying that everything is peaceful and safe. Then suddenly they will be destroyed. It will happen like birth pains coming on a pregnant woman. None of the people will escape. Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you as a thief would. All of you are children of the light. You are children of the day. We don’t belong to the night. We don’t belong to the darkness. So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves. Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put on our chest the armor of faith and love. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet. God didn’t choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to receive salvation because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Jesus died for us. Some will be alive when he comes. Others will be dead. Either way, we will live together with him. So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.
Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you. Have a lot of respect for them. Love them because of what they do. Live in peace with one another. Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to warn certain people. These people don’t want to work. Instead, they make trouble.
We are also asking you to encourage those who have lost hope.
Help those who are weak.
Be patient with everyone.
Make sure that no one pays back one wrong act with another.
Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Give thanks no matter what happens.
God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.
Don’t try to stop what the Holy Spirit is doing.
Don’t treat prophecies as if they weren’t important. But test all prophecies.
Hold on to what is good.
Say no to every kind of evil.
God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. While the Lord is watching, here is what I command you. Have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
by Pastor Calvin Lee
Esther 8:16
Esther 10:1-3
Mordecai had Victory over Haman's household including his 10 sons were killed
Mordecai had victory where the Jews were able to kill and defeat the enemies which was an edit issued by the King
1. STRUGGLES
- When we talk about victory it doesn't mean we don't have struggles
- Life is a 3 way struggle (our own personal struggles, we struggle with people, we struggle with God)
- Remember even Queen Esther struggled for not knowing how the king will respond to her appearing before him without being summoned
- Queen Esther struggled whether she should pluck up the courage to approach the king or not
# fear to go approach the king or not
# there was a moment of fortified where Esther said "If I perish, I perish"
# there was also a moment of faith in God when she asked the people to fast & pray for courage to approach the king
# there is no victory without a battle
4 important principles :
A. Struggle is normal, in fact it can be a good thing
B. Our response to our struggles largely determines our spiritual growth
C. There is no growth without struggle
D. We encounter God's grace through our struggles in ways that would not have happened if the trials were not there
2. SOVEREIGNTY
- God is in charge over affiars of this world, our lives and families
3 important truths :
A. God is in control
- when we understand this truth, we become more rested
B. Things don't just happened by chance
- we believe God is in our lives and situations
C. No matter what we face, God is at work for His glory
- when we pray for the glory of God's name in our situation, we become more God-centred and not self-centred
3. SAVIOUR
- it's about God bringing about a complete victory
Deuteronomy 20:4
"For the lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory"
4 important points moving forward :
1. We must acknowledge that God rules and reigns over every area of our lives
2. We must recognize that through Jesus Christ our victory has already been secured
3. We must press on in the strength of the Lord
4. We must give Him all the glory
eg. Purin Feast
Esther 9:27-28
"So they established it as a regular practice. They decided they would always observe these two days of the year. They would celebrate in the required way. And they would celebrate at the appointed time. They and their children after them would always observe these days. And so would all who join them. The days should be remembered and celebrated. They should be remembered by every family for all time to come. They should be celebrated in every territory and in every city. The Jews should never stop celebrating the days of Purim. Their children after them should always remember these days."
- Learn to share your faith and victories with your children
1 day-5 years, We experience many spills
6 years-16 years, We pick up many skills
17 years-20 years, We undergo many drills
21 years-25 years, We discover many thrills
26 years-40 years, We have to pay many bills
41 years-60 years, We suffer many ills
61 years-75 years, We have to take many pills
75 years onwards, We worry about our wills
by Pastor Ronald Yow
In times of crisis and difficulties, we wait on God
- What does it mean by waiting upon the Lord?
- Is it just to sit down and wait?
Esther demonstrated what it means to wait upon the Lord :
1. Posture (of we must depend on God)
- Esther recognise God's Sovereignty
- Esther surrendered to God's Sovereignty
* The Director of the situation is God Himself
* As Esther plays out the plan in the banquet, she is letting God moves in His direction
* Nothing is for sure or certain when Esther presents her statement to the King
* Esther was never in control of anything but she trusted God who is in control of everything
Proverbs 21:31
"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord"
2. Position
- God's Plan ...... God Does
- God's Plan ...... We Do
- Our Plan ...... God Does
- Our Plan ...... We Do
* Esther prayed
* Esther sought God for wisdom and guidance
* Esther counted the cost
3. Plan
- Attract Attention
- Approach with Tact
- Organise 2 banquets
Is Esther's plan God's plan or Man's plan?
or perhaps......
The crux of the matter is that it's Esther who exercise God's will through her plan even when her plan may not be foolproofed. God can work through even with our plans.
God is silent doesn't mean He is absent. Whether God spoke to us or we act on our own plan, we still need to exercise faith.
Learning to wait on God :
A. God can work out His will through decisions we have made, even if they are the worst
B. It is easier to steer a moving vehicle than a stationary vehicle
Acts 16:6-10
Paul and his companions traveled all through the area of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit had kept them from preaching the word in Asia Minor. They came to the border of Mysia. From there they tried to enter Bithynia. But the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. So they passed by Mysia. Then they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia standing and begging him. "Come over to Macedonia!" the man said. "Help us!" After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. We decided that God had called us to preach the good news there.
# Seek God for guidance
# If silence, make informed decisions :
- By being cerebral (ie. use your brain)
Romans 12:2
"Don't live any longer the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what He wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect."
- By counting the cost
Luke 14:25-34
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"
- By consulting mature believers
Proverbs 24:6
"Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers"
# Step out by faith
- Trust in God's Sovereignty
- Trust in God's Faithfulness
"A miracle is not the absence of man's plan. A miracle is clearly the intersection of God and man's plan"
Pastor Bee Ngor
King Asa "started" his race well in 2 Chronicles 14
Asa sought the Lord when the Ethiopians came against him. Therefore, 2 Chronicles 15:19 said "there was no more war"
- Asa "continued" his race well
2 Chronicles 16:9
Prophet Hananiah said to King Asa "For the eyes of the lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully devoted to him"
But King Asa did not listen
- King Asa did not "finish" well
3 P's to help us finish our race well :
1. Run your race with PASSION
The strong word of God spoken to people of Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16
- It's not about the action, it's about the heart.
1 Corinthians 10:12
So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.
What is purpose?
it is thinking right about what God commands us to do.
What is your purpose of serving God?
(love for the lord / love for the work / love for the lost)
2. Run your race with PURITY
Hebrews 12:1
"... So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. Let us keep on running the race marked out for us."
i. Get rid of the idols
An idol is anything that stands between us and God
Psalm 24:3-4
Who can go up to the temple on the hill of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? Anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart. He does not worship the statue of a god. He doesn't use the name of that god when he makes a promise.
ii. Get rid of the sins
Psalm 38:4-6
My guilt has become too much for me. It is a load too heavy to carry. My wounds are ugly. They stink. I've been foolish. I have sinned. I am bent over. I've been brought very low. All day long I go around sobbing.
It could be sinful acts that keeps the spiritual breakthrough from happening in our lives. Sins can also hinders our spiritual growth.
1 John 1:9
But God is faithful and fair. If we admit that we have sinned, he will forgive us our sins. He will forgive every wrong thing we have done. He will make us pure.
3. Run with Perseverance
We can take God for granted and lose our zeal and focus for God. There are tests and difficulties that God allows in our lives that God use to shape us. We are not competing with anyone, the most important thing is to finish the race......Our spiritual live is a marathon. We must keep the pace and in tandem with Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2
A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. Let us keep on running the race marked out for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 10:35, 36
So don't throw away your bold faith. It will bring you rich rewards. You need to be faithful. Then you will do what God wants. You will receive what he has promised.
3 questions to ask yourself to keep your spiritual fervour :
1. Am I satisfied with my passion for God as it stands right now?
2. What needs to change in my life so that God becomes my greatest passion?
3. How can I keep my spiritual temperature high all the time?
by Pastor Scott Tey
Esther 4
Providence
God not only knew this was going to happen, He had already provided a way out!
Proverbs 21:1
The kings heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord. He directs it like a stream of water anywhere he pleases.
Big Idea :
Seek and embrace God's purpose, mission, plans and direction for our lives.
Esther 4:1-17
When Mordecai learned all that had happened......
The battle is not between you and the situation, just like the battle is not between Mordecai and Haman, even seemingly it seems so in the physical realm.
Esther care enough to find out why. Do you know the things that are affecting the people of God today?
Hebrews 13:3
Remember those in prison, as though in prison with them.
The issue is not what's happening to the people of God but it's what happening "IN" the people of God!
Esther first response was she can do nothing
1. Esther Dilemma :
We need to respond in prayer and faith for God's deliverance. In His fullness of time, God brings about His full purpose and fulfill it. So that no human can take any credit for it.
If we waste the opportunity that God has given us to do something, God will still do it but we have wasted a given opportunity by God to do so. It is not by chance where we are today! God is never in a hurry, but He is never too late either!
There is a providence of God in all areas of our lives (blessings, experiences, testimonials etc....) let's not waste it but use those areas to bless others.
Remember!
You are not an accident nor an incident!
Esther 5:1-2
by Pastor Lee Meng Chiam
Esther 3:5-6
3 points to note :
1. No Way! (v1-5)
Mordecai : "No way I will bow and pay homage to Haman!"
- Religious ground
- Historical Ground
Haman : "No way I will let Mordecai get away with it!"
# Pride was his core motivation (pride is endless ego calculation)
- The Symptoms
Proverbs 16:8
1 Peter 5:5b
# Evil latches in pride
- The Results
2. No Prisoners! (v6)
Proverbs 6:16-19
Haman is not just prideful, he has became evil
- All or Nothing
- Destroy, Kill, Annihilate (v13)
# Evil advances on extremism
We don't have to respond with fear or anger, we can overcome
3. No Dice! (v7-15)
Micah 2:1
- Supernatural Divination
- Shrewd Manipulation
- Surprise Intervention
Proverbs 16:33
"The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord"
God's Providence
- Divine Foresight
Providence has the element of divine foresight
- Human Freedom
# Evil exploits laxity
We have to pray that we do not become lax
What is the difference between ignorance and apathy?
I don't know, I don't care, it doesn't bother me, doesn't affect me, whatever ...... When you are lax, evil exploits
Trivial things in life, God is always working for us
Evil is real :
but we don't have to fear
1. We must be Alert
2. We must Stand Up
- when we see evil, if it's in our power to resist, we should resist
3. We hold Steady
4. When the going gets tough, we Look Ahead
- because one day righteousness will have its rewards and the unrighteousness will have its just dessert
"Evil is real and cannot be ignored; whenever it is expressed it must be addressed, resisted and overcome by the Gospel"
Pastor Calvin Lee
About Esther
God is right where He has always been. No matter what, God is still on His throne. God knows best
God is NO WHERE or NOW HERE. A difference in one letter shift
The complete absence of God from the text is the genius of the book
- Karen Jobes -
The first 2 chapters main casts are :
King Xerxes & Queen Vashti
# much focus on superficial values and outward beauty
# possessions and power do not bring real fulfillment
# great display of prestige and pride, but disharmony at home
Esther & Mordecai
# Esther's selection as queen was not just based on her beauty
- In the plan of God, God look beyond her beauty and preparing Esther for a specific task ahead.
# the replacement seems ordinary but it is more than ordinary
- it is not by chance but God divine providence that Esther has been chosen.
# Mordecai's discovery of the plot to assassinate the king was not a coincidence
- seems to be an ordinary event happened by chance but it is not by chance. God placed Mordecai there.
The book of Esther helps us to see events through the lenses of God eyes
Few things we can learned from this story :
# God is ever present though He seems to be silent or absent
# God is working behind the scenes long before His purpose is fulfilled
# God often works out His purposes, not through miraculous intervention, but through completely ordinary events.
Perspective view of life :
1. Chaotic view of life
2. Fatalistic view of life
3. Tstick view of life (God's view)
If I cannot trace his hand, I can always trust his heart
- Charles Spurgeon -
1. Turn to God and not away from God when life doesn't make sense.
- from time to time, we will wonder and question why. When we are not careful we will allow these events to cause us to lose heart. We need to learn to clung on, hold on to God. The truth is that God still with us. He is always the God who goes ahead of us. No matter how we feel, always believe that God will deliver us in His time
2. Learn to put on our spiritual antenna as we see different events unfolding our lives
- we need to see things from God's perspective. Pray to God to open our spiritual eyes, to see things from heavenly perspective. God is weaving His divine purposes in our lives. What we are focusing is important. We always see the messy and rough side of our lives. But often times we don't see that God is carefully designing our lives.
3. Always affirm the faithfulness of God and that all things work together for good
Romans 8:28
4. Adopt a posture to trust in His sovereign wisdom.
- when times are good or bad, God is sovereign.He is good and He is working His divine purposes in us.
The replacement of queen Vashti did not happened by chance because ultimately the replacement became a redemption in God plan for His people.
by Pastor Calvin Lee
The Lord is good. The lord is always good. We can't live long in this world without being hurt, wrong and wounded.
Excess emotional baggage due to unresolved issues of the past can affect us, crippled us, paralyze us. Such emotions can caused us something. There is a price to pay mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Just like when we travel with excess baggage, we have to pay an excess baggage fee at the airport.
Hebrew 12:14-15
"bitter"
- a sharp pungent smell or taste. It also means negative feelings wounded by piercing
"root"
- a basic source or origin. Roots are hidden underground. It serves to provide water or refreshment to the plant. In the same way, bitterness is hidden inside us. A bitter root will produce bitter fruit such as anger, hatred, resentment, unforgiveness etc.
- it troubles us
- it troubles others
1. Hurt people often transfer or project their anger from within, on others.
2. They interpret every spoken word or action through the prism of their pain.
3. They portray themselves as victim and possess a "victim spirit"
4. They often alienate others and wonder why no one is there for them.
5. Hurt people often get frustrated and depressed because past pain is ever present in their consciousness.
6. They are often self absorbed with their own pain, and are unaware they are hurting others.
Lessons for us to learn :
A. Emotions are powerful. They either drive us or drain us.
B. Holding on to the memory of the past hurts destroys the power of your present. The more we hold on and the more we keep, the heavier we are.
C. Woundedness becomes a tool for satan's attack.
D. God does not intend for us to live a life that is loaded with excess emotional baggage.
Proverbs 15:13
A cheerful heart makes the face cheerful. But a heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drier the bones.
How can we move from being wounded to whole?
1. Let God remove it
Hebrews 12:14
Psalm 147:3
You and I cannot remove that sting with our power. Only God can do. Let God bring about that divine exchange with the fruit of the Spirit.
2. Let grace restores it
Hebrews 12:15
All of us are the recipient of the grace of God. We must learn to allow the same grace to be released to touch others, the one who hurt us.
3. Let good replace it
Hebrews 12:14
We must make the right decision. We can choose to react or respond. We can choose to hold on or let go.
Stop focusing on your pasts, hurts, pains and focus on Jesus Christ, our repairer, our restorer. Pursue peace. Make every effort. God wants us to walk in the path of freedom. Learn to walk away from things that will affect you mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Trust God, even while it hurts
Trust God, even when it seems unfair
Trust God, even through the tears
He knows, He is working on it.
Walk away from arguments that leads you to nowhere but anger.
Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.
Walk away from any thought that reduces your worth.
Walk away from failures and fears that stifle your dreams.
The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the happier your life will be.
Walk towards the presence of God and let Him embrace you with His love.
by Pastor Alvin
Deuteronomy 10:12-19
1. Justice begins with a right relationship with God
Deuteronomy 10:12
Most unjust thing a person could do is to disown parents or say to God "you didn't create me. Let me live the life I want to"
What is Justice?
1. Mishat - 200 times in the OT
2. Basic meaning : Treating people equitably (in a fair and impartial manner)
3. Commutative Justice : dealings between persons and is concerned with remedying wrongs committed by one party against another
4. Distributive Justice : It is concerned with ensuring that there is a fair distribution of social goods and services
2 words closely linked together :
"Righteousness and Justice"
Righteousness (tzadeqah) is primary justice and Justice (Mishat) is rectifying justice.
They are closely related
Righteousness means being right with God and therefore, committed to putting right all other relationships in life
- Alec Motyer, Bible Scholar -
Psalm 33:5
The Lord loves righteousness and justice, the earth is full of his unfailing love
Social Justice
Based upon his love and grace (Deuteronomy 10:14)
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To represent the just God (Deuteronomy 10:16-18)
Why does God wants us to observe just laws and decrees?
Deuteronomy 4:6
Is there a need to examine your heart today?
James 2:14
Represent God to do what?
- to exercise right judgement
- who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes (commutative justice)
Leviticus 19:15
Liviticus 24:22
and special care for the marginalised
Deuteronomy 10:18
Doing charity is not a ....... it's a command if God has blessed you in any way
Psalm 31:8
Deuteronomy 27:19
Luke 11:39
A litmus test would be to test whether you are generous to the physically poor, spiritually poor or the needy poor.
How do we help the needy?
3 levels of doing justice :
1. Relief/Refuge (hand-out-fish)
2. Development (teaching them to fish)
3. Social reform (building a port eg. concept of the jubilee in Israel, or petition against LGBT, casino, moral decay of society etc)
As the redeemed ones of Christ
- for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt
To conclude :
# Justice begins with a right relationship with God based upon His love and grace, to represent the just God, to exercise right judgement and special care for the marginalised as the redeemed ones of Christ.
"I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?"
- John Stott -
by Pastor Lee Meng Cham
Psalm 139:7-10
The fact and the favour of God's presence makes all the difference
God is Here!
3 aspects :
1. God is Omnipresence
2. His Indwelling Presence
3. His Manifest Presence
3 examples of manifest presence of God :
- The burning bush (Moses had to turn aside)
- Adam hid from God's presence
- Jonah flee from God's presence
- the road to Damascus (Saul had to stop because he was blinded)
- the gathering of the church (God's presence is here)
God is Here?
Isaiah 6:5
2 kinds of fear :
- His Absence
- His Presence (Luke 5:8)
Jesus' name is Emmanuel
Whatever I see, He sees
Whatever I say, He hear
Whatever I think, He knows
Isaiah 57:15
God is Here.
If God is here, where are you?
by an unknown Methodist Group
When God answers your prayers, He is increasing your Faith.
When God delays in answering your prayers, He is increasing your Patience.
When God does not answer your prayers, He has something better for you!
by Natasha Crain
1. What Evidence Is There For God's Existence?
3 Major Arguments that provide compelling, objective evidence for God's existence :
1. Cosmological Argument
2. Design Argument
3. Moral Argument
1. Cosmological Argument
- The Universe had a beginning
- Anything that had a beginning must have been caused by something else
- Therefore, the universe was caused by something else, which we call God
2. Design Argument
- The Universe and life at least have the appearance of design rather than having the appearance of formation by chance (if you were to find a watch in an empty field, you would instinctively conclude that it was designed and not just an accidental formation in nature)
- Imagine you just discover upon a cabin in the woods, you discover your favourite music is playing, your favourite video game is on television, your favourite drink is in the refrigerator. Would you think this existed by chance or assume someone prepared it for you? It would be hard to imagine that a place so perfectly tailored to your personal needs would have formed that way by chance!
3. Moral Argument
- Objective moral standards exist outside of personal opinion
- The best explanation for the existence of objective moral standards is the existence of a moral lawgiver (Romans 1:18-23)
2. How Could A Good God Allow Evil And Suffering?
God create everything good. God did not create evil because evil is not a thing. Instead, evil is the corruption of a good thing (eg. rotting of a good tree or wound on your body)
"Corruption"
- Human Corruption or moral evil
- Natural Evil (eg. Tornadoes, Hurricanes)
Where does corruption come from?
Freewill. God wanted us to freely love Him, just like a forced love is no love at all.
Why doesn't God just stop moral evil?
God can't force us to freely make good choices. Therefore, the only way God could destroy evil would be to destroy our freedom. However, a world of automata - of creatures that worked like machines would hardly be worth creating.
What about natural evil?
Natural evil is the byproduct of good processes and/or result of moral evil. Earthquakes are the consequence of plate tectonics, or the movement of giant plates under the ocean floor. Without these plates we would have no continents. They are necessary prerequisites to human survival on the only planet known to have life. Our planet requires oxygen and a warming sun and water in order for us to live here, even though we recognize that people can get sunstroke and drown in the ocean. So too, it seems that plate tectonics are a central requirement for life.
Millions of Africans die of starvation because their corrupt governments don't allow the necessary food to reach them - not because earth doesn't produce enough food. This problem circles right back to individual free will. This example of seemingly natural evil is actually the result of moral evil.
3. Why Would God Command The Genocide Of The Canaanites?
Deutoronomy 9:5
"not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is driving them out from before you, and that He may confirm the word that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
God said His command was indeed an act of Judgement in guilty people - something in a completely moral category than an unmerited massacre of innocent lives, as is always the case when humans command genocide.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Leviticus 18:20-30
The land itself threw out the people who lived there ......
- so what more for God who is the most holy?
- only God knows the depth of people's depravity and whether or not they will repent in any given circumstance (Genesis 15:16)
God wasn't willing to execute judgement until their sinfulness had reached a very specific limit. It's simply not reasonable to think that humans are in a position to evaluate how fair a divine judgement was based on the limited perspective we have.
4. How Can A Loving God Send People To Hell?
God is perfectly good, and that He has written His moral laws on the human heart
Psalm 18:30
1 John 1:5
Romans 2:14-15
Sin is a transgression against those laws
Justness is the quality of fairly conferring deserved rewards and punishments against a standard of right and wrong. If sin is real and God is just, there must be a penalty for that sin. Though there's disagreement on what exactly hell is and how long it will last, we know that it's a very serious (and just) punishment of eternal separation from God.
5. How Can God Judge People Who Have Never Even Heard About Jesus?
# General Revelation :
What God reveals by natural means. God's general revelation is what He has revealed of himself through the natural world and our moral conscience. The Bible says that every human is accountable for acknowledging this level of revelation.
* What God has revealed Himself through the Natural world (Romans 1:19-20)
* What God has revealed Himself through our Moral conscience (Romans 2:14-15)
The Bible says there are no people who are ignorant of God's existence and moral requirements.
# Special Revelation :
It's not possible to simply look at the splendor of creation and our moral conscience to deduce the specific truths that an-all powerful creator had a son who lived on earth, was fully human and fully God, died for the forgiveness of our sins, and was resurrected. For us to learn about these truths, God had to reveal Himself in supernatural ways, such as through the Bible and Jesus. This is called His "Special Revelation".
What happens to those in the OT who have access to God's General Revelation but not His Special Revelation of Jesus?
There are many questions about God, our lives and eternity that we simply don't have clear answers to in the Bible and that's okay. The fact that there are questions we can't answer with certainty doesn't detract from the truth of what we do know : God is perfectly just, so we can be confident He'll do what is fair on Judgement Day.
6. Why Would God Need People To Worship Him?
Define worship : Worship is responding to all that God is with all that we are
- all that God is
- responding with all that we are
Does God need our worship?
Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it, being lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
Just because the Bible says we should worship God doesn't mean God needs us to worship Him. God doesn't actually need anything at all to complete His character or existence. In other words, God is perfectly self-sufficient. Any idea that God needs our worship is unbiblical and mistaken.
Does God want our worship?
YES!
1 Chronicles 16:29
John 4:23
Romans 12:1
Worshiping is responding to God with all that we are and that helps us to realize our very purpose. Worship is natural response to an appropriate understanding of who God is, not an act of reluctant humility before an attention-seeking creator.
Is it arrogant of God to want this kind of worship?
Not at all.
Arrogance involves having an inflated sense of self. God has an accurate understanding of His immeasurable worth. Rather than wanting us to worship because He's arrogant, God wants us to worship because He knows we'll be fulfilled by it.
Wo worship means to respond to God's glory with the humble devotion of our whole lives. It is a lifestyle, not a weekly event. God doesn't need our worship but He seeks it because He knows our complete devotion is the fulfilment of our very purpose.
7. Why Is God So Hidden?
Pastor Calvin Lee
Luke 10:38-42
In this passage Martha misses the point. Jesus comes to fellowship with her but she misses the one important thing.
v40
Distracted in Greek means pulled or dragged in different directions. A continual action in the past.
The distraction in our lives can cause us to lose sight of the important things in our lives. If we keep allowing things to pull us apart, we will fall apart. The antidote to our busyness is to come apart and be still before God. The challenge to our serving is to keep our focus on the Lord (not ministry or service). Our careers, families and ministries require our attention but not to the extend of neglecting our time with God.
So how do we not get distracted moving forward?
Stay healthy physically and spiritually!
1. It is about choices!
v33
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said
How do you know you have been distracted?
- look at your calender (is it filled with overwhelmed activities that there is no gap for God?)
- look at your heart (is it filled with frustration, anger, fear, anxieties etc?)
Acronym of B.U.S.Y :
Be
Under
Satan's
Yoke
We must be intentional and disciplined to make the right choices. We need that sacred moment and time with the Lord.
2. It is about Centredness!
v40
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
Martha has a heart that's divided and distracted (career, children, cash), but Christ has to be in the centre!
What is a God centred Life?
A. A life that is directed towards the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ
B. A life that is oriented around God
Some of us need to "Start" spending that devotion, reading time with God
Some of us need to "Stop" certain of the activities or things that displeases God
Some of us need to "Slow Down" in the daily things we are doing and getting distracted
Some of us need to be "Still" before the Lord and seek Him
Some of us need to be "Selah (pause)" before the Lord and hear His still small voice
3. It is about Christ!
v42
But few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Psalm 145:18
Psalm 73:28
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
When you have peace with God, then you will have peace with people. When you have peace with people, then you can have peace with the rest of your surrounding.
At my Lowest, God is my Hope
At my Darkest, God is my Light
At my Weakest, God is my Strength
At my Saddest, God is my Comforter
What if....
Life isn't about finishing on top, but knowing when to stop?
Life isn't about learning to live with stress, but learning to live with less?
Life isn't about pushing yourself to the limit, but embracing every minute?
Life isn't about constant action, but eliminating distraction?
Life isn't what you chase, but resting in God's grace?
- Terry Hershey -
Pastor Scott Tey
The church is a family for single just as it is a family for married people
God created a family in the garden of Eden in Genesis and it ended with God seated with His family in Revelation
Genesis 1
Genesis 2:18
The church is a place where you can be contented whether you are single or married
1 John 4:18-19
1. To build an extraordinary family, we need God's love
- Every family/marriage will be tested. Because we are not spared from the onslaught of deveil's attack. However, because we are in Jesus love, we can cast out all fear at the door and slam it shut
Genesis 2:25
Perfect love has no confusion, no shame, no sin
Jesus not only come to redeem our sins, He also came to restore marriages to its original intent
2. To build an extraordinary family, we need God's forgiveness
Genesis 3:12
Towards our spouse :
- we need to communicate
- Don't judge too quickly
- We need to accept each others differences
- We need to look at the positive attributes of our spouse instead of the negative part
- Pray for spouse heart to be softened and transformed, release the right seeds (the word of God)
- Every seed you sow, you will reap whether it is positive or negative seeds
Ephesians 4:26-27
Proverbs 18:21
3. To build an extraordinary family, we need God's connection
How do we connect even in diversity?
The answer is the church of Jesus Christ is the only eternal connection
Pastor Lee Meng Cham
1 Smauel 16:1-13
Anointing is what enables us to work, serve without having to use special efforts..... even challenges, difficulties doesn't seem to be an issue
In this passage, it's the first time the Lord's anointed is appointed (David son of Jesse)
4 types of fragrance :
(1) Myrrh
(2) Cinnamon
(3) Cassia
(4) Calamus
Isaiah 45:1
A. David, the Lord's anointed
Psalm 89:20-21
# God, the one who appoints (1 Smauel 13:14)
# God sometimes seems to be choosing the most unlikely
# God choose to fulfill His purposes through people's weakness
God knows those who are His because He sees our motives and desires
Because for God the heart is where good and evil begins (James 1)
B. Samuel, the one sent to anoint
# Samuel see the favour of God over human failure
# Samuel has to choose the fear of God over fear of men
# Samuel has to choose the approval of God over the approval of men
# Samuel has to choose faith in God over human prejudices
C. David, the one appointed and anointed
# David is an unknown boy
# David was despised and rejected
# David was faithful over small things just like he killed the bear & lion while he was tending the flock
# David was zealous for God's name
# When the oil of anointing came upon David, he was empowered by the Spirit from that day onwards
# David was patient in waiting on God's timing to be fulfilled in his life as a king
The point of waiting is for us to be prepared. The danger here is to succeed before the person is ready
- Saul presented himself unknowingly to David but David did not kill Saul
- Saul was sleeping right before David but David did not kill Saul
D. Jesus, the Anointed One
Isaiah 61:1
# Jesus is the promised son of David
# Jesus has the fullness of the Spirit
# the "Christ" means the anointed one therefore Jesus Christ means "Jesus, the Anointed One"
The church is the anointed church
Acts 26
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
E. The anointed church
# Delegated...
# Divine abilities to advance the kingdom
# We are a co-priest with Christ
# Declaration of freedom to the captives as Christ spokesperson
# We are already anointed but sometimes we need a fresh anointing due to bitterness etc.
The anointing of God sets apart and enables His appointed to fulfil their call and mission
Pastor Calvin Lee
Matthew 26:6-13
3 important points to learn from this story :
(1) Her extraordinary sacrifice flows from her extravagance heart
- she gave from her heart to Jesus
(2) her sacrifice was condemned by the disciples but condoned by Jesus
- Jesus looked at her sacrifice as worship, not waste
(3) her sacrifice although a great one, cannot be compared with the great sacrifice made by Jesus Christ
What are some lessons we can learn and draw from this story?
A. Whatever sacrifice we made, what matters is the heart
- men tends to look at the outward but God look at the inward
- it is not the size of the sacrifice but the size of the heart
- we do it because we are grateful and thankful
B. Whatever sacrifice we made especially a significant one can be misconstrued by others
- don't be surprised when people around you misconstrued you by saying you are rash, unreasonable, stupid, "are you sure?" etc
C. Whatever sacrifice we made, let it be now, not later
- make "today" matters because "tomorrow" may never come
- you always have the poor with you, you do not always have me (Jesus). Cease that moment, not wait or procrastinate. Tomorrow may not come
"Time flies as the day goes by. But what goes around must surely come back around. There's always yesterday, today and tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes.
Our debtors plead for tomorrow. Our parents hope for tomorrow. Our dreams rely on tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes.
Children are the leaders of tomorrow. A slogan that seem endless. A day we always await. But tomorrow never comes.
If today becomes yesterday, and the future is tomorrow. Where is the future? If tomorrow never comes."
D. Whatever sacrifice we made must be done with a mission purpose
- we must be convicted that whatever we do is to have lasting impact :
# the word of God
# the souls of men
E. Whatever sacrifice we make cannot be compared with what the Lord has sacrificed
- we gave out of our heart of devotion, not transactional
- we can never repay our Lord
F. Whatever it is, it's important that we break the alabaster jar of our lives
@ God somehow loves broken things
Leviticus 6:21
Psalm 51:17
@ We all want breakthrough in our lives but we do not want to be broken
- our will, agenda, lives have to be crushed
- often times to experience a breakthrough, something in us needs to be broken
@ He takes what's broken for Him and uses it for His glory
1 Corinthians 11:24
What is that alabaster jar in our lives today that needs to be broken?
by Pastor Victor Gee
Jesus Christ messianic prophecies
Relationship with God is not moderation, we go "All The Way!"
Let's look at Jesus Christ from the Old covenant
The New Testament is the Old Testament "Revealed". The Old Testament is the New Testament "Concealed"
The Messiah in the Old testament is call Anointed One
- Prophecy is not a prediction
- Prophecy is not a forecast
- Prophecy is a foretelling
- Prophecy happens before the incidents or events take place
Matthew 3 (Jesus was baptized)
Matthew 4 (Jesus was tempted)
Matthew 5 (Jesus announced His authority)
Jewish community took 39 books and collate them into old testament :
# Pentateuch (Genesis - Deuteronomy)
# Historical Books (12 books from Joshua - Esther)
# Wisdom Literature (Job - Solomon)
# Prophetic Books (5 Major Prophets from Isaiah - Daniel)
# Prophetic Books (12 Minor Prophets from Hosea - Malachi)
First Messianic Prophecy :
Psalm 22:16-18
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment
There are still many Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament to announce the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament
Pastor Calvin Lee
1 Corinthians 4:1-18
"Lose Heart" was mentioned twice in this passage
Lose Heart means becoming discourage, give up, to stop believing that you can succeed, dispondant, stop believing that you can succeed
What kept Paul steadfast in the ministry and in the lord?
(1) He recognised he has a priceless possession
a. We have a ministry (v1)
What is this ministry?
- ministry of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6)
- new covenant is Jesus Christ died on the cross for us
- we have been made alive
- we have experienced this ministry of giving life to others through Jesus Christ is priceless possession
b. We have this treasure (v7)
- we have received the gospel
- this treasure is in you and me
- we are the jars of clay, easily bruised, easily broken, we are weak yet the treasure of God is in us
5 very important points that we need to understand about this jars of clay :
I. that we have received this gospel, this treasure from the Gracious God
II. identify with the source of our strength. Look to the Lord. Learn to draw strength from the holy spirit
III. distinguishing the content from container
IV. remembering the fragility and fraility of clay jars, we are earthern vessels, cracked pots
V. recognizing that clay pots like us can be powerfully used by God
The devil wants to bring discord and division
Dis - Courage
(devil) (God)
(2) A Proper Posture (v13-15)
- Paul has a trustful heart, a restful heart and a faithful heart
(3) A Powerful Perspective (v16-18)
- Whenever you see a "therefore" in the bible, ask yourself what it is "there for"?
Everyone see Goliath as so big, how can we kill him? David see Goliath as so big, how can I miss him?
A. Inward Renewal
B. Upward Revelation
Jeremiah 31:25
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint
Tomorrow Never Comes
Time flies as the day goes by.
But what goes around must surely comes back around.
There's always yesterday, today and tomorrow.
But tomorrow never comes.
Our debtors plead for tomorrow.
Our parents hope for tomorrow.
Our dreams rely on tomorrow.
But tomorrow never comes.
Children are the leaders of tomorrow.
A slogan that seem endless.
A day we always await.
But tomorrow never comes.
If today becomes yesterday,
and the future is tomorrow.
Where is the future?
If tomorrow never comes.
Pastor Benjamin
Serving the kingdom of God is by being the distinctive influence to the world
Matthew 5:13-16
From Being to Doing
From Character to Influence
Our Identity
- As the salt of the earth
- Salt is use as preserving agent
Our Purpose :
- To preserve the moral standard of our society
- To add flavor to our relationship with others
- To penetrate and influence our culture
- To influence others
- To replace evil with good
- To offer solution
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit
The salt that Jesus talked about is the stinging, biting, cleansing, preserving, is anything but dull, tame. To be the kind of salt Christ spoke about is to be on the cutting edge, in the fray, at the forefront of the battle....."
- Bob Briner -
What's the number one problem in the church?
"IRRELEVANCE" - E Stanley Jones -
- Having problems
- Evangelising
- Criticising
In-Carnational Ministry
- Word became flesh
- Spiritual became physical
Because God is incarnational towards us, he calls us to be incarnational to the world
How can we do that?
- BE IN TOUCH with our culture
Micah 6:8
He has shown you O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
- BE A VOICE in the public arena
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act
- BE DIFFERENT
bring God into our relationships
Although our identity is fixed, the salt can be diluted, corrupted...
- don't be good for nothing christians
Our Identity
- As the light of the world
John 8:12
- We are a reflector of His light
- We are the testimony of what God has done in our lives
Our Purpose
- Be a testimony by living morally pure lives
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen : not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
- CS Lewis -
If you are not able to see, how can you lead the lost out?
Our Purpose
- Is to make it shine and not hidden
Our Condition
We are the light but are hidden?
- We can hide the light but we cannot hide our identity
You are on display, like it or not!
- Believers are often the subject of scrutiny
You do not have to be good enough to share your testimony. You are not the source, you are basically the reflector of Jesus light
Shame & Fear
- Hide the light
- Fear of Persecution
Philippians 2:15
So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation, then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
- Hold on to the word of God, hold on to our belief
Our Identity
- As a city set on a hill
God has called us to be in a church, we are a community
- God, Son and Holy Spirit is a community
John 13:34-34
- Missions communities, not lone christian
Our Purpose
- To do good works for God's glory
- Be involved in the community
by Tommy Coomes
Worship works together with evangelism
- God inhibits the praises of His people
If you are not purposeful to reach out to those who don't know about Jesus, then you tend to just get isolated among yourselves. Just like churches tends to get isolated among themselves only because they are not reaching out to the community.
Matthew 11:28-30
Philippians 2:3-5
John 17:20-25
That people may believe "our" words not Jesus words...
- we should continue to reach out
Be the "host" for the holy spirit to do the works of God for His glory!
by Dr Steve Lim
Genesis 37:2-8
Genesis 50:20
Acts 2:17-18
Do you have a dream for your life?
Does your dream give you lasting satisfaction?
Does your dream face roadblocks and you gave up halfway?
Regardless, God has a dream for your life. It gives you purposes and challenges.
When parents show one child a favouritism, makes the other unhappy.
Genesis 47:25
"you have saved our lives!"
God does not give selfish dreams. He gives us dreams that will enable us to fulfill the purposes of God in our lives. Even a humble dream can produce great fruits!
II. God gives us a dream
Acts 2:17
"Young men will see vision...."
III. God shapes out lives through opportunities & trials
# Shaped Practically
- development of administrative & leadership abilities
Genesis 39:4-6
# Shaped Personally
- sensitive & empathy
Genesis 40:6-7
Asian culture emphasize academic and professional success. Therefore, emotional and moral values are less emphasized
# Shaped Spiritually
- dependence on God
Genesis 41:16
Joseph waited 20 years to see his dreams come to pass. God will accomplish purposes through the dreams He gives us if we allow Him to.
Righteousness does not only mean pursue virtuous but also pursue justice
IV. God accomplishes His purposes through us
Genesis 50:20
2 Peter 3:9
Meaningful relationship is the key to reaching out people for Christ.
by Pastor Calvin Lee
Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
LORD, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
Parable of the bags of gold = Parable of the talent
Matthew 25:14-30
We must understand the importance and value of investing our lives into the kingdom of God :
1. Perspective (Matthew 25:14)
# We need to understand the principle of ownership
- I am not my own, I was bought at a price
- God is the rightful owner of all that I have
- Job said "the Lord gave and the Lord took it away."
# Understand stewardship (Matthew 25:15, 16)
a. Allocation
b. Assignment
c. Accountability
- God will ask you what did you do with what you have. He will not ask you what did you do with what you don't have
2. Power (Matthew 25:16-18)
- God has given us power to give to Him or not, power to serve Him or not, power to live for Him or not etc.
# The choice is yours
# Consequences (Colossians 3:23-24)
1st lesson
Individual Responsiblity
2nd lesson
God deals Righteously
3rd lesson
Ability grows if Used
4th lesson
Blessings bring Responsibility
Let us finish well and strong for the Lord
3. Purpose (Matthew 25:23)
- While waiting for our Master to return, we are to serve out our purposes
# Be mindful of Earthly Kingdom
# Be mindful of Eternal Kingdom
by Lisa Laizure
If the REQUEST is Wrong, God says "No"
If the TIMING is Wrong, God says "Slow"
If YOU ARE Wrong, God says "Grow"
But if the REQUEST is Right, the TIMING is Right, and YOU are Right, God says "Go"!
If you do not want satan to fill your heart, take care that God fills it first.
Satan filled Ananias' heart because it was empty.
When the devil finds an empty brain he fills it with false ideas, wicked plans;
When he finds empty hands, he fills them with mischief;
When he finds an empty heart, he fills it with vanities, burning passions, vicious sympathies and delights.
If you wish to be saved from temptation's power, keep your heart full of the love of God,
your hands full of noble works, your mind full of high thought and desire.
by Pastor Lee Meng Cham
1 Corinthians 12:1-31
"As the Church is birthed of the Spirit, we must allow Him to work alongside us by using our God-given gifts in building up the Body to fulfil His purpose"
3 things we must know and be mindful of spiritual gifts :
(1) Acknowledge their purpose (v2,3)
To Exalt Jesus as Lord!
A. Through the gifts of the Spirit (v4)
- We are saved by grace through faith
B. Through the ministries in Christ (v5)
- Ordinary tools have extraordinary result
C. For the effects of God
- Power that emphasizes the final result (v6)
(2) Appreciate their diversity (v7,11)
Everyone has a Gift!
A. Different gifts are for different functions, purpose :
i. The Proclamation of the gospel (v8)
ii. The Power of the Resurrection (v9)
iii. The Presence of the Kingdom (v10)
B. We are not one but many, not many but one (v12,13)
# The value of Diversity (v14-16)
- There shouldn't be an attitude of inferiority
# The need for Unity (v20,21)
- Each gift complements the other
(3) Actualize their Potential
Excel in your Gifts! (v27)
A. Open your gift in faithfulness (v28,30)
- Embrace the person
- Enable the potential by exercising your gift faithfully
B. Operate your gift in love (v31)
Gift + Activated Love = Ministry
Unopened Gifts :
1. Every Gracian Has Been Entrusted With A Gift
2. Every Gift Is Unique (it is irreplacable but not indispensable)
3. Every Unopened Gift Is A Missed Opportunity
Pastor David Lim
4 Paradigms that will set you free for your potential :
Romans 8:28
(1) Jesus is our soon coming King : We are the bride of Christ
Revelation 22:20
- Give Him all the glory
(2) Jesus is the great physician : We are the patients
Mark 2:17
- Trust Him
(3) Jesus is the head of the church : We are members of His body
Colossians 1:18
(4) Jesus is the Lord of the harvest : We are the servants
Luke 10:2
- We don't get to choose our struggles
- Even the best of intention sometimes leads to undesirable results
- God is the Lord of harvest, He's in charge of the result
"I am not responsible for the final results, I am only responsible to move forward"
"If you don't release it to God, you become part of the problem"
by Lisa Laizure
The World : To be great, you need to climb to the top of the ladder where others will serve you.
The Bible : The greatest among you must be a servant (Matthew 23:11)
The World : You should never have to suffer.
The Bible : For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29)
The World : You should aim to get rich and have lots of stuff.
The Bible : What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26)
The World : Look out for me!
The Bible : Carry each others burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2)
The World : You're in charge of your own fate!
The Bible : Father if you are willing take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done oh Lord (Luke 22:42)
The World : Hold on to life as long as you can.
The Bible : Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and the Gospel will save it (Mark 8:35)
The World : Don't get made, get glad by getting even!
The Bible : Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to 7 times? Jesus answered, "I tell you not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)
The World : Don't let others take advantage of you!
The Bible : If someone wants to sue you to take your tunic, give him your coat as well (Matthew 5:40)
The World : Don't let others disrespect you!
The Bible : If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matthew 5:39)
Questions.org :
Does this mean that we should never resist when somebody attacks us? Should we let everyone take advantage of us?
No - Jesus denounced the Pharisees who attacked Him in Matthew 23, and objected when He was struck by one of the officers of the high priest in John 18:22-23. Further, He advised His disciples to take measures to defend themselves in Matthew 10:16; Luke 22:36-38
Similarly, the apostle Paul aggressively defended himself against his enemies, asserting his rights as a Roman citizen, and making it clear to his attackers that there could be consequences if he were unlawfully harmed in Acts 23:1-3; 25:14-27
What Jesus asks of His followers is not passivity, but SURRENDER OF THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL REVENGE.
As illustrated above by both Jesus and Paul, there is a difference between confronting evil and seeking personal revenge. It is possible to confront evil with a desire for the redemption of its perpetrator.
If Matthew 5:38-48 were taken literally at all times, we would have to let everyone take advantage of us. Turning the other cheek would become an encouragement for evil. This isn't what Jesus had in mind. His vivid examples illustrate His disciples' need to give up any sense of entitlement to personal revenge, to be purged of the motivation of personal vengeance. By asking them to turn the other cheek, Jesus meant that His disciples should be motivated by love and a desire for the redemption and forgiveness of offenders - even when opposing their actions.
by Pastor Lim Bee Ngor
2 Chronicles 20:1-30
This paragraph tells how King Jehoshaphat handle crisis
2 Chronicles 20:1-4
Christians are not spared from crisis
John 16:33
In this life you will have troubles....
How King Jehoshaphat responded to the crisis :
1. He sought the Lord
- seeking God's face
- it's a deliberate act from the King to turn his eyes away from the crisis and focus his eyes on God instead
- when we come into the presence, we receive something
- how you respond during a crisis reveal how often you seek God
Jeremiah 29:13
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart"
Psalm 20:7
"Some trust in chariots and ...."
2. He called for a fast
- fasting is abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. It must accompany with prayer otherwise it becomes dieting. Fasting has a way of breaking satan's grip in our lives
Isaiah 58:6
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen :
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Matthew 6:16-18
- v16 "when you fast"
- v17 "when you fast"
Fasting push away the power of darkness out from our nation, our lives, others lives, a situation, a crisis
Isaiah 59:19
"From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along."
3. He prayed to the lord
2 Chronicles 20:5-12
focusing on v12
"O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
3 things we observe about King Jehoshaphat prayer :
1. God-centered prayer
2. It's a desperate prayer
3. It's a humble prayer
Psalm 51:17
"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
2 Chronicles 20:14-19
A. God's victory was assured
"do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's"
v20-v30
B. God's battle was fought
"As they began to sing and praise, the lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
"And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."
Andrew (son of Jonas, brother of Simon Peter, a fisherman)
Simon Peter (son of Jonas, a fisherman)
Philip
James (son of Zebedee, brother of John, a fisherman)
John (son of Zebedee, brother of James, called "Beloved Disciple", a fisherman)
Bartholomew (aka Nathanael)
Matthew Levi (son of Alpheus, a tax collector)
Thomas (known as "Doubting Thomas")
James (son of Alpheus, brother of Judas)
Judas, Thaddeus, or Lebbeus (son of Alpheus, brother of James)
Simon the zealot
Matthias (replace Judas Iscariot the traitor)
Pastor Calvin Lee
Isaiah 6:1-8
King Uzziah had a long reign over Judah for 53 yearsd (2 Chronicles 26)
4 words to describe King Uzziah :
(1) Piety
(2) Prosperity
He rebuilt towns, make machines etc
(3) Popularity
He won many military battles and his fame spread far and wide. His fame spread over Judah
(4) Pride
He died tragically. Pride led to his downfall. It all happened one day he walked into the house of God. It was not his job to burn incense on the altar of the Lord, it was the responsibility of the priest. Not 1 but 80 priests said to him that it was not right for him to burn incense. However, King Uzziah did not listen to them. As a result, he was strickened with leprosy and he died. His death matter a great deal to the nation because it meant the end of stability and prosperity era to Judah.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
- Winston Churchill -
Isaiah Vision :
(1) An Upward encounter (Isaiah 6:1-4)
"I saw the lord"
- In a given area, you cannot have 2 strong personalities, leaders, masters at the same time
- Oftentimes, something has to die in our lives then will we begin to see God in our lives
"high and exalted, seated on a throne"
- Although King Uzziah died, our king of kings is alive!
- Although the throne of Judah is empty, the throne in heaven was occupied!
- Ask God to open your eyes in every situation of your life; good and bad
"train of his robe filled the temple"
"holy, holy, holy"
- Beyond the ultimate, set apart from creation, set apart from his people. God is without equal, no one else like Him. (Revelation 4:8)
(2) An Inward experience (Isaiah 6:5-7)
"Woe confession"
"Woe to me"
- Isaiah see his sinfulness, unclean lips (reflect the heart)
"Wow cleansing"
"a live coal touched my mouth"
"Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for"
Psalm 139:23-24
(3) An Outward expression (Isaiah 6:8)
"Whom shall I send"
"Here am I, send me"
- Because Isaiah saw the lost world, he cannot do nothing. That's why we need to have a personal encounter...
by Pastor Dewitt Jones
Luke 18:1-8
Isaiah 1:17
Scriptures reminding the community to remember the widows. Even in Jeremiah it reminded the people about taking care of the widows.
Jesus said even though it seems you have no power, but because you are a believer, you got to keep talking to God persistently in prayer. Look at the widow's PERSISTENCE!!!
Just because you didn't get an answer, it doesn't mean it's a no. Just hold on, keep praying, don't get discouraged. You got the power.
by Pastor Ronald Yow
Towel in hand
John 13:1-2
When we begin to serve, we will be more like Jesus. If you want to be great, be great in serving, just like Jesus washed his disciples' feet.
3 areas :
(1) Serve in Love
John 13:3-4
1 John 4:7-8
Love is a verb, it finds its expression in an action
(2) Serve out of humility
- Jesus removed his garments
- Jesus took up the towel
# No task is too menial for christians to do
# See a need, meet the need
# Any need is a need to be met by anyone
(3) Serve one another
- Jesus instructs the disciples to practice the example he has set for them
- It's easy for us to serve one, but not another because you don't want to serve that person. However, Jesus also died for those who don't deserve it. Jesus embraces all.
by Pastor Dr Philip Lyn
John 2:1-11
* Space-time is a paradox
* Light is a paradox
- Apathy to Awe
- Cynicism to Conviction
Miracle
It's an extraordinary & positive event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and attributed to God. (Divine Paradox)
Was this truly Jesus first miracle?
- Mark and Luke tell us the first miracle was in Capernaum where a demonized boy was healed in the synagogue. John tells us Capernaum happened only AFTER Cana
John 2:12
After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples ...."
Who then were His disciples that were present?
Mark and Luke tell us the 12 disciples were only chosen AFTER He had gone down to Capernaum.
John Chapter 1 mentions only :
Andrew, Simon Peter and Philip & Nathaniel. There were only FOUR followers or "disciples"
Why do we say that?
When they ran out of wine Mary was the first to know. The servants knew who she was, she had authority over the servants.
RECEIVING YOUR MIRACLE :
Key Posture
* Look with your Heart
Look with your heart, and not with your eyes. The heart understands, the heart never lies. Believe what it feels and trust what it shows. Look with your heart, the heart always knows...
- Andrew Lloyd Webber -
When you look with your heart, it's always cannot. Jesus is the source of supply, he's the source of miracle.
God doesn't condemn, He doesn't punish. Conviction is from God
Four Keys to Receiving your miracle:
(1) Look to Jesus first (Tell Him your problem)
(2) Look beyond God's non-response (He will never turn you away)
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.
(3) Look to do whatever He tells you
(4) Look to step out in faith and receive
What do miracles look like when they happens?
- They are spectacular but SILENT
- They are public but PERSONAL
John 2:11
This was first of the miracles Jesus did in Cana of Galilee ... and His disciples believed in Him
John 4:46-47
So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he want to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
by Lisa Laizure
Ezekiel 36:26–27 (NASB95)
26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Matthew 3:11 (NASB95)
“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
2 John 1:33 (NASB95)
“I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’
The reason why no one has the spirit yet is this,
John 7:39 (NASB95)
But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Jesus was on the earth for 40 days, he hasn't ascended to heaven. And so we are still in the "Jesus Era". So the Holy Spirit dosn't dwell on people at this particularly time. That is where we are picking up Acts because we are getting ready to move into a completely era.
Acts 1:4-5
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Holy Spirit is something that people received, and that it's giving you power.
Luke 24:49
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Acts 2:38 (NASB95)
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:4 (NASB95)
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95)
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.”
— Charles Spurgeon -
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB95)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV84)
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
John 8:37
I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no place (to grow) in you (and it makes no change in your heart).
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (AMP)
Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
Ephesians 4:30 (NIV84)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
When we become a christian, we become a follower of Jesus. When we baptize with water, that just means we're just proofing to other people that we belive in Jesus, we're identifying with him. When we come to Christ, we're also baptized in the Holy Spirit where he gives us all the power we need but we're just not giving up that much to him. And then when we take the bible as a whole we can see we can quench the Holy Spirit whenever we wants to. And so the question is "Am I giving up what I need to give up to him so that I can live the life that he wants me to live?"
Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
I constantly need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, because I continually leaked.
- DL Moody -
Walking in the spirit continually day by day by day, spirit-filled people. And when we know we do something wrong, the Holy Spirit leaks out. We confess it, we say "God we want to be that way", plug that little hole up and let's go on. That is what it means to walk by the spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives you :
love TO LOVE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY UNLOVABLE
boldness TO SHARE YOUR FAITH
joy IN THE MIDST OF HORRIBLE TRAGEDY
peace WHEN YOU SHOULD FEEL COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ANXIOUS
patient TO DEAL WITH YOUR HUSBAND OR CHILDREN OR FRIENDS
kindness TO THE PERSON THAT ISN’T THAT NICE TO YOU
gentleness WHEN YOU WANT TO ANGRY
self-control OVER WHAT YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
I. If Christ if not risen, then PREACHING IS POINTLESS
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14 -
II. If Christ is not risen, then FAITH IS FOOLISH
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Romans 10:9 -
and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 1:4 -
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14 -
III. If Christ is not risen, then our believe is fruitless, we live in fear
IV. If Christ is not risen, then SIN IS SUPREME
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
- Romans 4:25 -
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
- 1 Corinthians 15:17 -
V. If Christ is not risen, then DEATH IS DOMINANT
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
- 1 Corinthians 15:18 -
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people must to be pitied.
- 1 Corinthians 15:19 -
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 -
Pastor Calvin Lee
Mark 16:1-8
Do not be afraid of your mountain
4 questions asked in above verse :
(1) Why no men only 3 women came to the tomb in v1?
Answer : Mark 14:50
Then everyone deserted him and fled
(2) Why was Peter's name specifically singled out here in v7?
Answer : Peter was very much in the mind of Jesus Christ. No matter what, God loves him despite his failures
(3) Why Galilee in v7?
Answer : Galilee was where the first disciple was being called, Galilee was where the kingdom of God's message first being preached. Galilee is a place of new beginning
(4) Why were the women so afraid in v8?
Answer : They were in a state of shock even though Jesus mentioned a few times He would die and rise again. They could not connect the dots that's why when it happened, they trembled and fled. We must listen and believe.
4 words to highlight :
(1) Saviour
Mark 16:9
Christianity is about the risen saviour. We serve a risen Saviour, thank God
"If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said; if He didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about what He said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like His teaching but whether or not He rose from the dead."
- Timothy Keller -
"Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless."
- Billy Graham -
(2) Souls
Mark 16:15-16
Here is the great commission given to all.
a. These were last words of Jesus Christ before ascended to heavens
b. Here God basically laid down the plan as to how He wants the world to be saved
c. This commission is for everyone of us, Jesus Christ last command must become our first priority
(3) Supernatural
Mark 16:17-18
a. Drive out demons when you are doing God's work
b. Speak new tongues
c. Pick serpents with hands when you are doing God's work
d. Drink poison not hurt when you are doing God's work
e. Place hands on sick and got well
When we do the work of the kingdom, God will provide protection. He will demonstrate supernatural power as we do the work in and through Him!
(4) Surrender
Mark 16:20
Surrender to God and to the mission of the servant King. The church of God will not move forward if there is no surrender to the risen Savour.
# When you grow weary in the battle and think that what you do doesn't count, that you are a failure, remember God is in control.
# He has a purpose for everythink He allows in our lives.
# We never know what our impact has been in someone's life.
# In God's economy, nothing goes to waste.
John 14:1
Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
Move from fear to peace with God.
5 points to note :
(1) Jesus gave us a better future than anything on this earth. Don't lose that.
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
(2) Jesus gave us an identity
John 14:7
If you really know me, you will know my father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.
(3) Jesus gave us the permission to use his name
John 14:12-14
(4) Jesus promised us the holy spirit. The great helper. What's with you can be taken away from you but what's in you will never be taken away from you and that's the holy spirit.
John 14:16-18
(5) Jesus gave the relationship to us
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I gave to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Pastor Calvin Lee
Be Fruitful (Mark 11:12-25)
First, the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14)
Observation : This fig tree gave the appearance of being fruitful from a distance but had no fruit.
The fig tree is a symbol of the spiritual state of Israel. They were observing the feast and sacrifices. Observing religious in every way. But spiritually Israel is dead. The cursing us a prophetic act if the impending judgement of Israel.
Second, the cleansing of the temple courts (Mark 11:15-21)
Observation : The religious leaders made a show of piety but underneath there was no fruit
Fruitlessness instead of fruitfulness. God desires Israel to bear fruit but Israel was fruitless.
3 important areas for us to note :
1. God wants us to be fruit bearers (John 15:8)
- we must bear fruits to show the evidence of a transformed life out from receiving the grace of God.
2. We must be faith possessors (Mark 11:22-24)
3. We must be forgiveness Givers (Mark 11:25)
- unforgiveness can be a prayer stopper. We got to deal with it else it will affect our prayer life. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and the prisoner is yourself.
A. We are to be fruitful (Colossians 1:10)
B. We can't bear fruit without God (John 15:4)
9 fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance
3 important principles :
1. That you can command a mountain to be removed into the sea and it will be so.
2. That whatever you pray believing you will receive it, that you will have your prayer answered.
3. That you must forgives others if you want your prayers answered.
Pastor Lee Meng Chiam
1. Suffering (Mark 8:34)
2. Service (Mark 10:13-15; Mark 10:41-44; Mark 9:35)
In God's sight there is no little people, there is no little place, Be servant and slave of all.
3. Sacrifice (Mark 8:35-36; Mark 10:45)
How difficult it is for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. When God calls you, holding on is not the answer but letting go is the answer. Are we able to sacrifice when He calls?
The Pathway to True Greatness
Why does Jesus Christ have to die a gruesome and violent death?
- Because we don't realise how far each of us is from the kingdom of God that nothing else can pay the ransom.
- Through this we also realised how much God loves each one of us, although He was rich He gave up that so we can live.
- So that we won't follow someone today their principles or example
1 John 3:16
The Pitfalls to True Greatness
Satan knows human today need :
- Identity
- Security
- Significance
1. To be well known : Our Identity
- the need to be prominent
Temptation :
Mark 10:35
2. To be well loved : Our Security
- the need to be shown preference
Temptation : Be Self Preserving
Mark 10:37
3. To be well praised : Our Significance
- the need to be powerful
Temptation : Be Self Promoting
Mark 10:42
The Pre-requisite to True Greatness
- You are my beloved : Security (Mark 1:11)
- Son : Identity
- With you am well pleased : Significance
Many people today :
- take the easy way
- take care of yourself
- take the fast track
But the easiest way is "Simply To Submit"!
