by Pastor John Lin
Big Idea:
Gifts can be accepted and reshaped
Luke 1:5-9
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,[a] of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
During King herod reign, he was evil, stop to kill even his own family members.... worst is for that 400 years God was silent, no prophets etc....ppl praying for the promised king.
In those days zechariah and Elizabeth have no children, kids are like security in the culture. If you're childless or barren, it was like to curse from God, or heritage sin etc...
They were old...thinking God forgotten them asking why they're in this state. They could have taken matters into their own hands.
Luke 1:11-17
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
They were righteous and faithful despite.....and God did not forget them.
Luke 1:18-20
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
Zechariah was not too excited as he chose to look at himself instead, he was stucked in his disappointment. He was disappointed with God
Even when something supernatural or extraordinary happens, we becomes doubtful and cynical over time, because the waiting was soooooo long. We are so used to our pain and disappointment that we find it hard to accept breakthrough when it finally arrives.
Our current state does not have any influence on what God can do in our lives. God did not reject zechariah because of his doubt but He continue to show him a sign....
God was able to deliver His promise even if it means silencing zechariah mouth for 9 months.
Nothing can stand between God's plan and purposes in our lives.
Just because something is not happening doesn't mean God is not working. Continue to seek, pray and wait
Luke 1:57-64
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
"John" represents Yahweh has shown favour or God's greatest gift
Zechariah after 9 months have learn to grow in his faith and trust God. He was no longer doubtful. He understood God's promise and purpose through John's life. It was meant for them to be shared with others, zechariah and elizabeth chose to release this gift to God to prepare the way for the messiah to come.
Luke 1:67-69
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
Luke 1:76
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
Luke 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Zechariah - The Lord Remembers
Elizabeth - God's oath
"The Lord Remembers His oath"
Acts 2:17
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
We have the holy spirit to guide us to do God's work for others. We don't have to wait for our pastors or leaders.
God remembers His promise. He's able to deliver His promise despite our doubts and difficulties.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
The Willing Unknowns
by Pastor Benny Ho
Nehemiah 11:1-2
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten[a] remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
Who are they?
What they do?
Nehemiah 7:1-2
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.
Even though walls were up, people are few becos the city was unsecured for many years due to no walls, and in ruins. So no one live in it. Nehemiah wants to rebuild the city by bringing ppl back to live then can have ppl to rebuild.
90% of Israelites live around suburbs of the city
10% is the ones who help nehemiah to build the city, they are the willing unknowns akin to today's church volunteers
There are 5 specific groups of people.
In Nehemiah 11
1st group
Willing volunteers
Nehemiah 11:2
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
These people Willingness to submitted themselves to the work of God
"Volunteered"
Nadab which implied that it is a willing and unforced act. This word is used for one who is wanting to obey God's will from within, and to do it to benefit others.
To the 1st group - may Your tribes increase
2nd group
The temple workers
Nehemiah 11:10-12
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, 12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah,
These are the priest - pastors, elders church board members
3rd group
People servers
Nehemiah 11:15-16
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the outside work of the house of God;
Get stuff done outside the temples rituals, look after the affair of the wellbeing of the people
Cell leaders, RL, outreach ministry, mission groups
4th group
The worship team
Nehemiah 11:22
The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of God.
Prepares the way into entrance of God's works, media team, light and sound, graphic, creative arts
5th group
Prayer warriors
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise,[a] who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Intercessors, prayer coordinator, power source in the house of God
3 Key Lessons:
1. Our contribution is not by size but by impact
2. Our labour in the Lord may be unknown but not unnoticed
3. Our rewards are determined not by fame but by faithfulness
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Revelation 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
These are the purpose of our crowns receive in heaven
Nehemiah 11:1-2
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten[a] remained in the other towns. 2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
Who are they?
What they do?
Nehemiah 7:1-2
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many.
Even though walls were up, people are few becos the city was unsecured for many years due to no walls, and in ruins. So no one live in it. Nehemiah wants to rebuild the city by bringing ppl back to live then can have ppl to rebuild.
90% of Israelites live around suburbs of the city
10% is the ones who help nehemiah to build the city, they are the willing unknowns akin to today's church volunteers
There are 5 specific groups of people.
In Nehemiah 11
1st group
Willing volunteers
Nehemiah 11:2
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
These people Willingness to submitted themselves to the work of God
"Volunteered"
Nadab which implied that it is a willing and unforced act. This word is used for one who is wanting to obey God's will from within, and to do it to benefit others.
To the 1st group - may Your tribes increase
2nd group
The temple workers
Nehemiah 11:10-12
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, ruler of the house of God, 12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah,
These are the priest - pastors, elders church board members
3rd group
People servers
Nehemiah 11:15-16
And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni; 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who were over the outside work of the house of God;
Get stuff done outside the temples rituals, look after the affair of the wellbeing of the people
Cell leaders, RL, outreach ministry, mission groups
4th group
The worship team
Nehemiah 11:22
The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, son of Hashabiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the work of the house of God.
Prepares the way into entrance of God's works, media team, light and sound, graphic, creative arts
5th group
Prayer warriors
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, who was the leader of the praise,[a] who gave thanks, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun.
Intercessors, prayer coordinator, power source in the house of God
3 Key Lessons:
1. Our contribution is not by size but by impact
2. Our labour in the Lord may be unknown but not unnoticed
3. Our rewards are determined not by fame but by faithfulness
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Revelation 4:10-11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
These are the purpose of our crowns receive in heaven
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Gifted : Mine or Yours?
by Pastor Wilson Teo
Big Idea:
God has given a variety of gifts to bless the family
The problem with the Corinthian church is the believers overemphasized the gift of speaking in tongues versus other spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Anyone speaking on God's behalf would always declare the Lordship of Christ and never curse Him.
Not all supernatural healing are of the lord. Occult and witchcraft can conjer powers also. Not all signs are from lord Jesus. The way to check is the person who tap into the power source. Does this person confess that power is from Jesus christ
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
List of Spiritual Gifts:
1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of KNowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of Healing
5. The Working of Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing Between Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues
Paul listed these out for the Corinthians but the list are not exhaustive. There are 2 more gifts found in Romans and Ephesians. But suffice to say that these 9 listed were for the common good for the faith community.
What is common good?
Common good = build and edify God's people
"Continuationists"
= Christians who believe that spiritual gifts are available for them through the Holy Spirit.
"Cessationists"
= Christians who do not believe that spiritual gifts exist today.
Be the available human vessel for the Holy Spirit to use.
Can I have more than one spiritual gift?
Yes.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
1 Corinthians 12:15-17
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
1 Corinthians 12:18-21
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
1 Corinthians 12:22-26
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:29-31
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
The term "Higher gifts" refers to spiritual gifts that meet the needs of the Body at the moment of need.
1. No one will curse the Lord Jesus when operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. There are diverse spiritual gifts available through the Holy Spirit.
3. Every spiritual gift is to serve the Body.
Big Idea:
God has given a variety of gifts to bless the family
The problem with the Corinthian church is the believers overemphasized the gift of speaking in tongues versus other spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Anyone speaking on God's behalf would always declare the Lordship of Christ and never curse Him.
Not all supernatural healing are of the lord. Occult and witchcraft can conjer powers also. Not all signs are from lord Jesus. The way to check is the person who tap into the power source. Does this person confess that power is from Jesus christ
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
List of Spiritual Gifts:
1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of KNowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of Healing
5. The Working of Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing Between Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues
Paul listed these out for the Corinthians but the list are not exhaustive. There are 2 more gifts found in Romans and Ephesians. But suffice to say that these 9 listed were for the common good for the faith community.
What is common good?
Common good = build and edify God's people
"Continuationists"
= Christians who believe that spiritual gifts are available for them through the Holy Spirit.
"Cessationists"
= Christians who do not believe that spiritual gifts exist today.
Be the available human vessel for the Holy Spirit to use.
Can I have more than one spiritual gift?
Yes.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
1 Corinthians 12:15-17
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
1 Corinthians 12:18-21
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
1 Corinthians 12:22-26
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:29-31
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
The term "Higher gifts" refers to spiritual gifts that meet the needs of the Body at the moment of need.
1. No one will curse the Lord Jesus when operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. There are diverse spiritual gifts available through the Holy Spirit.
3. Every spiritual gift is to serve the Body.
Family matters - Free to do or Not to do
Pastor Meng Chiam
1 Corinthians 8:1
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
What is the true freedom does a Christian really have?
Your liberty ends where my nose begins
IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS CHARITY
- RUPERTUS MELDENIUS -
Big idea:
God desire us to express our Christian freedom conscientiously
Do you need your meat to meet your needs?
Problem #1:
Eating meat offered to idols
Principle #1:
Act from a clear conscience, not just knowledge
1 Corinthians 8:2
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
How many of us want to go back to non mobile Era. Paul says knowledge can be good, but knowledge can be puffed up. It can breed Arrogant, feeling of superiority...
1 Corinthians 8:7
But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Knowledge is to know true, falsehood etc. Conscience is conviction tell us good, bad etc. When conscience is defiled, muddy, you do something that's wrong, u think its right and vice versa
1 Corinthians 8:8-12
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Paul said when you stumble someone who is a believer against their weakness in conscience, you are sinning against christ.
Are u sure idols are nothing?
They represent the demonic, fallen elohim
The Stumbling Block:
(Romans 14:23) But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]
I should not do it if my brother's conscience is weak
1 Corinthians 8:13
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
Act from clear conscience, not knowledge
Problem #2:
Insisting on one's rights as ministers of the gospel
Principle #2:
Exercise true freedom, not just rights
When are "rights" wrong?
1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 corinthians 9:9-12
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[a] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Cor 9:16-19
For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:23-25
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Athelete vs believers right
Exercise true freedom, not just rights?
True freedom is when one can give up one's right although it's one's right.
The worst kind of enslavement is an enslavement to one's own sense of freedom
- Gordon Fee -
Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
True freedom is the ability to say yes and No
Problem #3:
Destroying the unity of God's family
Principle #3:
Build on what is helpful, not just lawful
1 Corinthians 10:23
I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
The right standing with God is not for us to do everything we want to do.
How can it be helpful for partakers of the table to be partakers of the demon?
Paul told the Corinthians they have made awful what is lawful
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
What's the result of your choice?
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
Christ save us not to build our own kingdom. He saved us to build His kingdom
Exercise our freedom with responsibility
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 8:1
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
What is the true freedom does a Christian really have?
Your liberty ends where my nose begins
IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS CHARITY
- RUPERTUS MELDENIUS -
Big idea:
God desire us to express our Christian freedom conscientiously
Do you need your meat to meet your needs?
Problem #1:
Eating meat offered to idols
Principle #1:
Act from a clear conscience, not just knowledge
1 Corinthians 8:2
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.
How many of us want to go back to non mobile Era. Paul says knowledge can be good, but knowledge can be puffed up. It can breed Arrogant, feeling of superiority...
1 Corinthians 8:7
But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Knowledge is to know true, falsehood etc. Conscience is conviction tell us good, bad etc. When conscience is defiled, muddy, you do something that's wrong, u think its right and vice versa
1 Corinthians 8:8-12
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Paul said when you stumble someone who is a believer against their weakness in conscience, you are sinning against christ.
Are u sure idols are nothing?
They represent the demonic, fallen elohim
The Stumbling Block:
(Romans 14:23) But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]
I should not do it if my brother's conscience is weak
1 Corinthians 8:13
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
Act from clear conscience, not knowledge
Problem #2:
Insisting on one's rights as ministers of the gospel
Principle #2:
Exercise true freedom, not just rights
When are "rights" wrong?
1 Corinthians 9:1-2
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 corinthians 9:9-12
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[a] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Cor 9:16-19
For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:23-25
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Athelete vs believers right
Exercise true freedom, not just rights?
True freedom is when one can give up one's right although it's one's right.
The worst kind of enslavement is an enslavement to one's own sense of freedom
- Gordon Fee -
Philippians 2:5-8
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
True freedom is the ability to say yes and No
Problem #3:
Destroying the unity of God's family
Principle #3:
Build on what is helpful, not just lawful
1 Corinthians 10:23
I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
The right standing with God is not for us to do everything we want to do.
How can it be helpful for partakers of the table to be partakers of the demon?
Paul told the Corinthians they have made awful what is lawful
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
What's the result of your choice?
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
Christ save us not to build our own kingdom. He saved us to build His kingdom
Exercise our freedom with responsibility
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Beyond 377A
by Rev Dr Wilson Teo
Big idea:
Preserving Godly values begins with God's people and families
What is Section 377A?
"Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."
377A existed since year 1938
This petition to repeal became more intense when western countries start to accept LGBT relationships, while Singapore criminalise it.
The Government retained Section 377A for its "symbolic" value without "proactive enforcement" in 2007.
The judicial court may become the battleground for more legal challenges against Section 377A, resulting in other polarizing issues.
1st Learning Point:
Be aware of our society's cultural shift towards liberal western values.
There is a shift within the last decade in Singapore accepting LGBT
Our kids are desensitizing to behaviours, liberal worldview, through social media etc.
What does the Bible says to what's happening around us?
This is not new even in Paul's days
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The Jews are looking for outward signs, Greeks seeking for world wisdom. Christ gospel could not be understood by the world, yet Paul continue to preach.
Only the gospel can counter the cultural shift toward ungodliness.
2nd Learning Point:
Strengthen family discipleship
The law of the land cannot be the only safeguard against ungodly.
Your choice:
Embrace Godliness or Liberal society?
The society we want in 10 years time begins with us now
The more Scriptural way is to entrench the belief of traditional family in our homes by teaching and living it out.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
A biblical example of young people who persist in the belief:
Daniel 1:8-16
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Above is a generational who lives in a babylonians cultural and yet honor God through Godly convictions, who loves and fear God in all of their hearts.
3rd Learning Point:
Live courageously as Christ's imagers in society.
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Everyone is created in God's image even though we may not share the same values with every group.
All human beings are created in God's image. The status of representing the creator by having dominion over all creation. The different is that believers have Christ to model after and live like Christ. We live like kingdom values, at same time, we know many don't share the same kingdom values like us. These people who oppose are also created in God's image. We must learn to disagree respectfully and yet stand firm in our Godly values. We must allow differing groups to speak, until it reaches against our convictions. Be courageous to speak out our convictions and live out christlikeness, do so without demeaning fellow imagers of God. We are to influence them to become like Christ.
The enemy is already in our home through social media and wifi. Our children must still be in the world yet to disciple them not to live like the world. Not to rely solely on the "moat" (picture above) of the law to deal with issues, but it must be entrenched through discipleship of God's values in our family.
Big idea:
Preserving Godly values begins with God's people and families
What is Section 377A?
"Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."
377A existed since year 1938
This petition to repeal became more intense when western countries start to accept LGBT relationships, while Singapore criminalise it.
The Government retained Section 377A for its "symbolic" value without "proactive enforcement" in 2007.
The judicial court may become the battleground for more legal challenges against Section 377A, resulting in other polarizing issues.
1st Learning Point:
Be aware of our society's cultural shift towards liberal western values.
There is a shift within the last decade in Singapore accepting LGBT
Our kids are desensitizing to behaviours, liberal worldview, through social media etc.
What does the Bible says to what's happening around us?
This is not new even in Paul's days
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The Jews are looking for outward signs, Greeks seeking for world wisdom. Christ gospel could not be understood by the world, yet Paul continue to preach.
Only the gospel can counter the cultural shift toward ungodliness.
2nd Learning Point:
Strengthen family discipleship
The law of the land cannot be the only safeguard against ungodly.
Your choice:
Embrace Godliness or Liberal society?
The society we want in 10 years time begins with us now
The more Scriptural way is to entrench the belief of traditional family in our homes by teaching and living it out.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
A biblical example of young people who persist in the belief:
Daniel 1:8-16
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Above is a generational who lives in a babylonians cultural and yet honor God through Godly convictions, who loves and fear God in all of their hearts.
3rd Learning Point:
Live courageously as Christ's imagers in society.
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Everyone is created in God's image even though we may not share the same values with every group.
All human beings are created in God's image. The status of representing the creator by having dominion over all creation. The different is that believers have Christ to model after and live like Christ. We live like kingdom values, at same time, we know many don't share the same kingdom values like us. These people who oppose are also created in God's image. We must learn to disagree respectfully and yet stand firm in our Godly values. We must allow differing groups to speak, until it reaches against our convictions. Be courageous to speak out our convictions and live out christlikeness, do so without demeaning fellow imagers of God. We are to influence them to become like Christ.
The enemy is already in our home through social media and wifi. Our children must still be in the world yet to disciple them not to live like the world. Not to rely solely on the "moat" (picture above) of the law to deal with issues, but it must be entrenched through discipleship of God's values in our family.
INVESTigate - Series 3
by Chew Thiam Keng
Exodus 14:14
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
2 Kings 18
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. 4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. 8 He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. 10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is in the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. 11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: 12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them. 13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house. 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field. 18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. 19 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? 23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 25 Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. 26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. 27 But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? 28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: 29 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: 30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: 32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. 33 Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? 35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? 36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
2 Chronicles 32
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? 16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. 18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man. 20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Isaiah 31
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! 2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. 4 For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5 As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. 6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. 7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. 8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. 9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 32
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. 2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. 4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. 5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. 6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. 8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. 9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. 10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. 11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins. 12 They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: 14 Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; 15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; 19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. 20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
Isaiah 33
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. 2 O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. 4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. 5 The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. 7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. 8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man. 9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits. 10 Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. 11 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. 13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. 18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21 But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. 23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. 24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Knowing the Bible and Theology alone is not enough.
A. Reading the bible and listening to Sermon
B. Understand
C. Remember the teachings
D. Do it and trust Him
E. Persist in doing it and trusting Him
Start with knowing and need to end with persisting in doing
Job 1:21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
1. In whatever you are doing, let your hearts be fully His. Be faithful to Him and He will be faithful to you.
2. In all situations, trust Him and not men nor the things of this world.
3. True security can only be found in God.
Exodus 14:14
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
2 Kings 18
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. 4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. 8 He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. 10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is in the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. 11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: 12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them. 13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house. 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria. 17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field. 18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. 19 And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? 20 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? 21 Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem? 23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 25 Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. 26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. 27 But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you? 28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: 29 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: 30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: 32 Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. 33 Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? 35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? 36 But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
2 Chronicles 32
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem, 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. 4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water? 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance. 6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it? 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand? 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? 16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. 18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. 19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man. 20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. 22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Isaiah 31
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! 2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. 4 For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5 As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. 6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. 7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. 8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. 9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 32
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. 2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. 4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. 5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. 6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. 8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. 9 Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech. 10 Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. 11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins. 12 They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: 14 Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; 15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; 19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. 20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
Isaiah 33
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. 2 O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. 4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. 5 The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. 7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. 8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man. 9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits. 10 Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. 11 Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12 And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. 13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. 18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? 19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. 21 But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. 23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. 24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Knowing the Bible and Theology alone is not enough.
A. Reading the bible and listening to Sermon
B. Understand
C. Remember the teachings
D. Do it and trust Him
E. Persist in doing it and trusting Him
Start with knowing and need to end with persisting in doing
Job 1:21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
1. In whatever you are doing, let your hearts be fully His. Be faithful to Him and He will be faithful to you.
2. In all situations, trust Him and not men nor the things of this world.
3. True security can only be found in God.
Sunday, September 11, 2022
INVESTigate - Series 2
by Sis Ho Wan Leng
Part 1
The 3 bucket budget plan
Part 2
A balancing act if 3 sets of principles
Part 3
A story and a song
10 Key Drivers:
1. Recognition
2. Social status
3. Life enjoyment
4. Peer pressure
5. Contribution to society
6. Social norm
7. Security and stability
8. Luxuries
9. Technologies
10.Financial gains/wealth
Whichever is your top choice, check also is that your heart rest
Biblical financial
Maximizing our earnings for God's glory
The 3 bucket personal budget plan
Necessities (50%+)
Desires (10%+)
Treasure box (10%+)
1. Create a personal financial budget plan
- Personal financial well being starts with personal budget plan (Necessities 50%+, Desires 10%+, Treasure box 10%+)
- this is biblical
LIVE SIMPLY THAT OTHERS MIGHT SIMPLY LIVE!
Luke 14:28
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Create a budget plan,
MAJOR on necessities (needs)
MINOR on desires (wants) and
be GENEROUS in sharing our treasure box to honor God and advance His kingdom.
2. A balancing act of three sets of principles
set 1 : Earn honestly, spend wisely and save fervently
set 2 : Contentment and Godliness
set 3 : Borrow less and be debt-free
Exodus 20:15
“You shall not steal.
- This is clear cut wrong
But there are others that are wrong and we argue the rights.
James 5:4
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 28:6
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Our struggles in finances do not justifies dishonest gains
We shouldn't be anxious about money problems
Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
The formula to avoid : Great wealth-Contentment=Stress
1 Timothy 6:6-7
But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we cannot take anything out of the world.
Philippians 4:12
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Contentment with godliness brings great wealth
Great wealth without contentment brings stress
Great wealth without godliness leads to our fall
Contentment without godliness is unsustainable
Godliness without contentment is fake news
Coveteousness
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
Comparison to be Competitive
1 Timothy 6:9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Let's do a balancing act daily
- Earn money optimally but honestly and justly
- Save money fervently but not hoard it
- Spend money wisely with discretion and control
- Give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially but with discernment and the guidance of God's Spirit
- Be wealthy but don't love money and be content
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;
John 6:5-7
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii[a] worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”
Philip has seen Jesus performed miracles but where was the faith now? Perhaps Philip had knowledge of Jesus but not knowing Him
John 6:8-9
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
Give like the little boy although it's little
John 6:11
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
This is what God can do when we seek to honor Him with our finances. Little can be made much in His hands
John 6:14
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
Jesus transformed the hearts of the multitudes to proclaim
My treasures for God's glory!
Part 1
The 3 bucket budget plan
Part 2
A balancing act if 3 sets of principles
Part 3
A story and a song
10 Key Drivers:
1. Recognition
2. Social status
3. Life enjoyment
4. Peer pressure
5. Contribution to society
6. Social norm
7. Security and stability
8. Luxuries
9. Technologies
10.Financial gains/wealth
Whichever is your top choice, check also is that your heart rest
Biblical financial
Maximizing our earnings for God's glory
The 3 bucket personal budget plan
Necessities (50%+)
Desires (10%+)
Treasure box (10%+)
1. Create a personal financial budget plan
- Personal financial well being starts with personal budget plan (Necessities 50%+, Desires 10%+, Treasure box 10%+)
- this is biblical
LIVE SIMPLY THAT OTHERS MIGHT SIMPLY LIVE!
Luke 14:28
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Create a budget plan,
MAJOR on necessities (needs)
MINOR on desires (wants) and
be GENEROUS in sharing our treasure box to honor God and advance His kingdom.
2. A balancing act of three sets of principles
set 1 : Earn honestly, spend wisely and save fervently
set 2 : Contentment and Godliness
set 3 : Borrow less and be debt-free
Exodus 20:15
“You shall not steal.
- This is clear cut wrong
But there are others that are wrong and we argue the rights.
James 5:4
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 28:6
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Our struggles in finances do not justifies dishonest gains
We shouldn't be anxious about money problems
Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
The formula to avoid : Great wealth-Contentment=Stress
1 Timothy 6:6-7
But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we cannot take anything out of the world.
Philippians 4:12
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Contentment with godliness brings great wealth
Great wealth without contentment brings stress
Great wealth without godliness leads to our fall
Contentment without godliness is unsustainable
Godliness without contentment is fake news
Coveteousness
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
Comparison to be Competitive
1 Timothy 6:9
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
Let's do a balancing act daily
- Earn money optimally but honestly and justly
- Save money fervently but not hoard it
- Spend money wisely with discretion and control
- Give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially but with discernment and the guidance of God's Spirit
- Be wealthy but don't love money and be content
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;
John 6:5-7
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii[a] worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”
Philip has seen Jesus performed miracles but where was the faith now? Perhaps Philip had knowledge of Jesus but not knowing Him
John 6:8-9
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
Give like the little boy although it's little
John 6:11
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
This is what God can do when we seek to honor Him with our finances. Little can be made much in His hands
John 6:14
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
Jesus transformed the hearts of the multitudes to proclaim
My treasures for God's glory!
INVESTigate - Series 1
by Pastor Wilson
INVESTigate
This series deals with our Talent, time, treasure
is tithing for today?
Big idea:
God wants us to worship Him with our financial giving
1st type of tithe
Levitical tithe
Numbers 18:19-24
“You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness. 20 And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor's wife and so make yourself unclean with her. 21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them[a] to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion. 24 “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean,
Levitical tithe ensure provision for levites and priest. is for levites and priest
2nd type
Festival tithe
Deut 14:22
“You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year.
This tithe is a tithe that was brought to Jerusalem during the festival, celebration. Is like a national potluck, also to be given to the levites
3rd type
The welfare tithe or tithe for the poor
Deut 14:28-29
“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. 29 And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
Took place every 3 years where a tenth give to needy, foreigners, levites, widows etc
Malachi 3:8-12
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer[a] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
During Nehemiah where ppl return from Exile to Jerusalem. Ppl more concern about themselves than levites and priest. There was no honor for His God so God very upset. Don't test the lord as and when we want base on malachi
This verse It was for the Israelites then.
Paul did not mention tithing as well. Gentiles believers need not obey mosaic laws.
There was no need for levites and priest to run house churches
Are we required to tithe today?
Since gentile Believers in christ are no longer under mosaic laws
Matt 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Christ has fulfilled the law which mean...the law was a set of instruction to help Israelites then, to guide them. However the law also point to reality that no one can be righteous b4 God only christ is the only way to God
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1st theory
Through this act of christ, our sins are forgiven without need to sacrifices anymore, therefore we now do not need the mosaic law
2nd theory
Romans destroy the 2nd temple in jerusalem. Christ came and there is no need for a temple because Believers in christ are the temple of the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 3:16-17
Do you not know that you[a] are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Our giving to the Lord is for the livelihood of the full time staff leading and equipping the faith community
1 Corinthians 9:9-11
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Our giving to the Lord is for the Great Commission and the celebration of God's people
Our giving to the Lord is for the poor and needy in our community
We don't tithe to the temple but give to the local church to fulfill Christ's commission
Our giving today is not under religious law, but our love and worship to God.
GIVE TO BE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF LACK
INVESTigate
This series deals with our Talent, time, treasure
is tithing for today?
Big idea:
God wants us to worship Him with our financial giving
1st type of tithe
Levitical tithe
Numbers 18:19-24
“You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness. 20 And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor's wife and so make yourself unclean with her. 21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them[a] to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. 23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion. 24 “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean,
Levitical tithe ensure provision for levites and priest. is for levites and priest
2nd type
Festival tithe
Deut 14:22
“You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year.
This tithe is a tithe that was brought to Jerusalem during the festival, celebration. Is like a national potluck, also to be given to the levites
3rd type
The welfare tithe or tithe for the poor
Deut 14:28-29
“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. 29 And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
Took place every 3 years where a tenth give to needy, foreigners, levites, widows etc
Malachi 3:8-12
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer[a] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
During Nehemiah where ppl return from Exile to Jerusalem. Ppl more concern about themselves than levites and priest. There was no honor for His God so God very upset. Don't test the lord as and when we want base on malachi
This verse It was for the Israelites then.
Paul did not mention tithing as well. Gentiles believers need not obey mosaic laws.
There was no need for levites and priest to run house churches
Are we required to tithe today?
Since gentile Believers in christ are no longer under mosaic laws
Matt 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Christ has fulfilled the law which mean...the law was a set of instruction to help Israelites then, to guide them. However the law also point to reality that no one can be righteous b4 God only christ is the only way to God
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1st theory
Through this act of christ, our sins are forgiven without need to sacrifices anymore, therefore we now do not need the mosaic law
2nd theory
Romans destroy the 2nd temple in jerusalem. Christ came and there is no need for a temple because Believers in christ are the temple of the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 3:16-17
Do you not know that you[a] are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Our giving to the Lord is for the livelihood of the full time staff leading and equipping the faith community
1 Corinthians 9:9-11
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Our giving to the Lord is for the Great Commission and the celebration of God's people
Our giving to the Lord is for the poor and needy in our community
We don't tithe to the temple but give to the local church to fulfill Christ's commission
Our giving today is not under religious law, but our love and worship to God.
GIVE TO BE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF LACK
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Matched: Singles or Doubles
by Pastor John Lin
Big idea:
God desires us to fulfill our calling whether we're singles or married
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
A. Divorce
1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
Matthew 19:4-6
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Marriage goes beyond just a certificate, it is a covenant with God between man and woman. Divorce case must be taken with much care and consideration. Healing and reconciliation must be considered first.
B. About Singleness
1 Corinthians 7:28-29
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
In light of eternity, all believers will be with the lord, whether singles or married
C. Mixed Marriages
1 Corinthians 7:13-16
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Corinthians placed singleness above everything, thinking that's on right track to pursue spiritual maturity. However, Paul does not elevate singleness over marriage
1 Corinthians 7:7
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Gift = Gift of Grace or Gift that empowers you
Focus should be on how we're receiving this gift from God, with contentment and gratitude
What is gospel solution?
# Stay as one was when called.
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Above passage denotes Paul repeated emphasis of being called, remaining or stay as one's called
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 7:29
What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;
What counts is not the status but a person must keep the commandments of God.
How well do I keep the commandments of God, not outside change
Our spirituality is seen through our submission and obedience to God's word
Accept our status as gift from God and serve God wholeheartedly.
Big idea:
God desires us to fulfill our calling whether we're singles or married
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
A. Divorce
1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
Matthew 19:4-6
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Marriage goes beyond just a certificate, it is a covenant with God between man and woman. Divorce case must be taken with much care and consideration. Healing and reconciliation must be considered first.
B. About Singleness
1 Corinthians 7:28-29
But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
In light of eternity, all believers will be with the lord, whether singles or married
C. Mixed Marriages
1 Corinthians 7:13-16
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Corinthians placed singleness above everything, thinking that's on right track to pursue spiritual maturity. However, Paul does not elevate singleness over marriage
1 Corinthians 7:7
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Gift = Gift of Grace or Gift that empowers you
Focus should be on how we're receiving this gift from God, with contentment and gratitude
What is gospel solution?
# Stay as one was when called.
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Above passage denotes Paul repeated emphasis of being called, remaining or stay as one's called
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 7:29
What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;
What counts is not the status but a person must keep the commandments of God.
How well do I keep the commandments of God, not outside change
Our spirituality is seen through our submission and obedience to God's word
Accept our status as gift from God and serve God wholeheartedly.
Abused: Who owns your body?
by Pastor Joey Asher
Big idea:
God desires His family to dedicate their body to Him
Since we as the temple are now that sacred space where the Spirit dwells in, how much more must we keep this body set apart and sacred?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
What we are discipled by determined how we make decisions and live. Is it media, social, people etc?
The main issue the corinthians faced is a distorted view of who truly owned their body. Therefore, they had sexual intercourse with prostitue, with their slaves etc.
1 Corinthians 6:12-13
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
In this above passage, Paul was referring to a specific roman law.
Sometimes doing what is permissible in the eyes of the law isn't always pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
Paul warned us that our physical body is dedicated to God and His holy purposes which includes sexual purity
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
A. Pursuing chastity in Singleness
First question:
What is christian freedom if our body belongs to God?
1 Corinthians 6:12
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Above passage states that we must be subjected to God's standard, not the world nor our own standard
# Christ freedom isn't freedom to what pleases your flesh but to do what pleases God
# Do your action pleased yourself or God?
Second question:
What is the purpose for our body?
1 Corinthians 6:13-14
You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
Christ resurrection is proofed our body will be raised. Our purpose is to rule and reign on His behalf, that's our function on earth. We will have another glorified body when we rule and reign with God.
Third question:
Who are we joining our body with when we commit fleshly desires?
1 Corinthians 6:15-17
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[a] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Above passage denotes sexual union between 2 individuals results in one flesh with each other. We are already joined with God with one integral unit, still do the unthinkable by doing the immorality with a prostitute?
Fourth question:
How can we flee from sin in the body?
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Above passage exorts us to glorify God in our body, for God redeemed us at a very high price. Our body is for the lord with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, living in us.
What does it mean to pursue chastity?
# Flee from sexual immorality
First step in fleeing:
# Identify the trigger points
- Eliminate the trigger points, wiser to flee then to resist it, ie. put phone our of the bedroom, tv etc.
Second step in fleeing:
# Change your thought pattern
# Trying not to think of it
# Pray in tongues
# Play a worship song
# Get a prayer partner
B. Pursuing faithfulness as Married couples
1 Corinthians 7:2-5
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Above passage means it is not "you owe me" but it is "I owe you". A spouse should not deprive and should not demand
What does pursuing faithfulness look like?
Married christian must flee as much as those who are singles
Proverbs 5:18-20
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. 20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
Confession is the first step to healing
Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Big idea:
God desires His family to dedicate their body to Him
Since we as the temple are now that sacred space where the Spirit dwells in, how much more must we keep this body set apart and sacred?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
What we are discipled by determined how we make decisions and live. Is it media, social, people etc?
The main issue the corinthians faced is a distorted view of who truly owned their body. Therefore, they had sexual intercourse with prostitue, with their slaves etc.
1 Corinthians 6:12-13
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
In this above passage, Paul was referring to a specific roman law.
Sometimes doing what is permissible in the eyes of the law isn't always pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
Paul warned us that our physical body is dedicated to God and His holy purposes which includes sexual purity
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
A. Pursuing chastity in Singleness
First question:
What is christian freedom if our body belongs to God?
1 Corinthians 6:12
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Above passage states that we must be subjected to God's standard, not the world nor our own standard
# Christ freedom isn't freedom to what pleases your flesh but to do what pleases God
# Do your action pleased yourself or God?
Second question:
What is the purpose for our body?
1 Corinthians 6:13-14
You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
Christ resurrection is proofed our body will be raised. Our purpose is to rule and reign on His behalf, that's our function on earth. We will have another glorified body when we rule and reign with God.
Third question:
Who are we joining our body with when we commit fleshly desires?
1 Corinthians 6:15-17
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[a] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Above passage denotes sexual union between 2 individuals results in one flesh with each other. We are already joined with God with one integral unit, still do the unthinkable by doing the immorality with a prostitute?
Fourth question:
How can we flee from sin in the body?
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Above passage exorts us to glorify God in our body, for God redeemed us at a very high price. Our body is for the lord with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, living in us.
What does it mean to pursue chastity?
# Flee from sexual immorality
First step in fleeing:
# Identify the trigger points
- Eliminate the trigger points, wiser to flee then to resist it, ie. put phone our of the bedroom, tv etc.
Second step in fleeing:
# Change your thought pattern
# Trying not to think of it
# Pray in tongues
# Play a worship song
# Get a prayer partner
B. Pursuing faithfulness as Married couples
1 Corinthians 7:2-5
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Above passage means it is not "you owe me" but it is "I owe you". A spouse should not deprive and should not demand
What does pursuing faithfulness look like?
Married christian must flee as much as those who are singles
Proverbs 5:18-20
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. 20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
Confession is the first step to healing
Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[a] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Taboo! What are we avoiding?
by Pastor Wilson
Big idea:
God gives us authority to judge conflict and sin within a house
1 Corinthians 5:1-6
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?
Paul was informed of a sexual immorality that is to cohibit with one's stepmother. Instead of feeling sad or concern, the church was proud and was boasting. Paul ask to enforce discipline on this man from faith community and hand him to satan for the destruction of the flesh.
Why would Paul partner with satan to have this sinful man's flesh destroy?
It is not true. We must understand Paul's Jewish background and his concept of sacred space. Symbolically sending Israel sins into Wilderness.
Sacred space is a space where God and His people would occupy
Leviticus 16:7-10
Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat.[a] 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Above passage talks about 2 goats to be presented to Aaron. He then slaughter the goat chosen by God to clean the holy place. The other to release into the wilderness, Aaron release the sins and send it away. Wilderness symbolise the realm of fallen evil.
1 Corinthians 5:5
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Paul was very redemptive in 1 Corinthians 5:5 in his instruction, hoping the man will realise his sinfulness and eventually to return back to God's sacred space.
1 Corinthians 5:7-11
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
Above passage must be understood in the context of a believer who wilfully sin against the lord and is proud to live in sin. It does not refer to someone who occasionaly sin, is about someone who have chosen to live in wilful sin and no desire to repent in the lifestyle, which will negatively affect the faith of the faith community.
A. Early church treated sin very seriously
# Christ grace is not the licence to live in persistent sin where there is no true repentance in our hearts before the lord
# The malice of sin and evil will negatively affect the faith community
Can we judge a fellow believer in Christ?
Matthew 7:1-3
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Judge carries different meanings when use in different context
1. First meaning of judging
# Analyse or evaluate people and situation
2. Second meaning of judging
# Condemn or to avenge
# Solely reserved for the lord when He comes back
# For this meaning, we are equally in need of God's grace and redemption
B. We must have the courage to enact church discipline and bring redemptive action to those affected
# Although the person can still go to other churches, but it should not stop us from enforcing God's word
# The faith community must have both discipline and restoration process for the person to come back into God's presence
1 Corinthians 6:1-10
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Above passage narrate dispute among believers.
To the victim:
Why not rather suffer wrong?
Why not rather be defrauded?
To the culprit:
Will not inherit the kingdom of God, believers included
Paul theology determines his bahaviour and conviction. Paul believes believers will judge angels and the world, ungodly will be judged in condemnation. He encourage all belivers to live with an end in mind, what we truly believe and embrace must come out through the way we live.
C. Be ready to be wronged and cheated by a fellow believer
# Not every believer is perfect when they display ungodly behaviour
3 Let God judge the culprit for me, when I am wronged and cheated
D. There are eternal consequences when one lives in sin
E. Trust the church community to mediate and make the right judgement for you
Does your theology shapes your conviction and behaviour?
Can you believe that God sees your pain and will give you back more than you have lost?
Big idea:
God gives us authority to judge conflict and sin within a house
1 Corinthians 5:1-6
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?
Paul was informed of a sexual immorality that is to cohibit with one's stepmother. Instead of feeling sad or concern, the church was proud and was boasting. Paul ask to enforce discipline on this man from faith community and hand him to satan for the destruction of the flesh.
Why would Paul partner with satan to have this sinful man's flesh destroy?
It is not true. We must understand Paul's Jewish background and his concept of sacred space. Symbolically sending Israel sins into Wilderness.
Sacred space is a space where God and His people would occupy
Leviticus 16:7-10
Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat.[a] 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
Above passage talks about 2 goats to be presented to Aaron. He then slaughter the goat chosen by God to clean the holy place. The other to release into the wilderness, Aaron release the sins and send it away. Wilderness symbolise the realm of fallen evil.
1 Corinthians 5:5
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Paul was very redemptive in 1 Corinthians 5:5 in his instruction, hoping the man will realise his sinfulness and eventually to return back to God's sacred space.
1 Corinthians 5:7-11
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
Above passage must be understood in the context of a believer who wilfully sin against the lord and is proud to live in sin. It does not refer to someone who occasionaly sin, is about someone who have chosen to live in wilful sin and no desire to repent in the lifestyle, which will negatively affect the faith of the faith community.
A. Early church treated sin very seriously
# Christ grace is not the licence to live in persistent sin where there is no true repentance in our hearts before the lord
# The malice of sin and evil will negatively affect the faith community
Can we judge a fellow believer in Christ?
Matthew 7:1-3
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Judge carries different meanings when use in different context
1. First meaning of judging
# Analyse or evaluate people and situation
2. Second meaning of judging
# Condemn or to avenge
# Solely reserved for the lord when He comes back
# For this meaning, we are equally in need of God's grace and redemption
B. We must have the courage to enact church discipline and bring redemptive action to those affected
# Although the person can still go to other churches, but it should not stop us from enforcing God's word
# The faith community must have both discipline and restoration process for the person to come back into God's presence
1 Corinthians 6:1-10
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Above passage narrate dispute among believers.
To the victim:
Why not rather suffer wrong?
Why not rather be defrauded?
To the culprit:
Will not inherit the kingdom of God, believers included
Paul theology determines his bahaviour and conviction. Paul believes believers will judge angels and the world, ungodly will be judged in condemnation. He encourage all belivers to live with an end in mind, what we truly believe and embrace must come out through the way we live.
C. Be ready to be wronged and cheated by a fellow believer
# Not every believer is perfect when they display ungodly behaviour
3 Let God judge the culprit for me, when I am wronged and cheated
D. There are eternal consequences when one lives in sin
E. Trust the church community to mediate and make the right judgement for you
Does your theology shapes your conviction and behaviour?
Can you believe that God sees your pain and will give you back more than you have lost?
God! I just don't understand
by Pastor Meng Chiam
Why would God allow....?
Faith is:
Believing when I don't see it.
Obeying when I don't understand it.
Giving when I don't have all of it.
Persisting when I don't feel like it.
Trusting when I don't get it.
When we find ourselves in a situation we don't understand, what matters?
1. Faith matters!
# Expectant faith (believe in God at all times no matter what)
# Enduring faith (Faith remain strong despite....)
Faith doesn't take you out of the problem, but it gives you ability to handle the problem....
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Hebrews 11
shows us men and women demonstration of enduring faith
God is God, Job is not and I am not. God don't owe me an explanation even though I could not understand.
John 20:27-29
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We believe in Him, it is not blind faith but it is called bold faith in God
2. Foundation matters!
# Our understanding
# Our insight
# Our perspective
# Our perception
MUST BE ALL BASED ON GOD'S WORD
Proverbs 7:1-3
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
A. See life through the lens of Scripture
B. Saturate our heart and mind with Scripture
C. Sort out current situation according to Scripture
It will be good
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
3. Fundamental matters!
# Prime importance is your relationship with God
# Your walk with God
# Know God personally not just know Him
# He's my Saviour
# He's my Shepherd
# He's my Strength
Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
When we are close to God, we see:
all His Glory
all His Majesty
all His Greatness
through all our situations and problems.
Why would God allow....?
Faith is:
Believing when I don't see it.
Obeying when I don't understand it.
Giving when I don't have all of it.
Persisting when I don't feel like it.
Trusting when I don't get it.
When we find ourselves in a situation we don't understand, what matters?
1. Faith matters!
# Expectant faith (believe in God at all times no matter what)
# Enduring faith (Faith remain strong despite....)
Faith doesn't take you out of the problem, but it gives you ability to handle the problem....
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Hebrews 11
shows us men and women demonstration of enduring faith
God is God, Job is not and I am not. God don't owe me an explanation even though I could not understand.
John 20:27-29
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We believe in Him, it is not blind faith but it is called bold faith in God
2. Foundation matters!
# Our understanding
# Our insight
# Our perspective
# Our perception
MUST BE ALL BASED ON GOD'S WORD
Proverbs 7:1-3
My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
A. See life through the lens of Scripture
B. Saturate our heart and mind with Scripture
C. Sort out current situation according to Scripture
It will be good
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
3. Fundamental matters!
# Prime importance is your relationship with God
# Your walk with God
# Know God personally not just know Him
# He's my Saviour
# He's my Shepherd
# He's my Strength
Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
When we are close to God, we see:
all His Glory
all His Majesty
all His Greatness
through all our situations and problems.
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Imaging God through our sexual identity
by Pastor Joey
Imaging God through our sexual identity
Big idea:
We're created male and female to image God through our distinct gender identity
Sex is referred to as birth sex or male/female gender
Gender is derived from our sex
1. Our gender identity is derived from our biological sex
In creation order that is how God create for male and female to image Him
But in today's society, people are choosing the gender they most identify with in their later life.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image (line 1)
In the image of God he created him (line 2)
Male and female he created them (line 3)
The author is saying,
The image of God is in God's male and female creation from their debut on earth
We image God right from the beginning right in our mothers womb
Psalm 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
When God made you, He did not make a mistake
Your feelings and experience may be different in as later life. But it is in this confusion that we must grab on God even more so.
God has already determined and assigned your gender to you right from the beginning in your mother's womb
It is not constructed from society
Transgender is a person whose gender identity or gender expression differs from their birth sex
(they think their gender is in a Wrong body)
Non binary (NB)
One who identified as neither male nor female and sees themselves outside the gender binary of male and female
Gender Dysphoria (gender identity disorder)
The feeling of discomfort in identifying with the gender associated with their biological sex
Gender non conforming (GNC)
One who expresses his or her gender outside the traditional norms associated with Masculine or femininity
Putting labels on any individual is unloving and unchristian. We as human beings shouldn't be doing.
2. Our distinct gender identity as male or female must be preserved
What is christian masculinity or femininity?
Genesis 2:18
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
E.zer
- rescuer
- strength
- might
God never intended for female to be subordinate or subservient with men. Although God created woman later than man but not lesser than man.
Why create woman later?
Because God wanted male and female to image Him by combining their biological differences
1 Timothy 4:4
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
Good
- Proper
- beautiful
- valuable
- Morally Virtuous
2 Corinthians 3:18
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Let us embrace our birth sex
Let's image God through our sexual identity
God makes no mistakes!
You're not God's mistake
It is possible for sin to mess up the reality of the truth in you!
We ought to be renewing our minds through God's word
Romans 12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Let us not fight the wrong battle. We're up against sin!
Imaging God through our sexual identity
Big idea:
We're created male and female to image God through our distinct gender identity
Sex is referred to as birth sex or male/female gender
Gender is derived from our sex
1. Our gender identity is derived from our biological sex
In creation order that is how God create for male and female to image Him
But in today's society, people are choosing the gender they most identify with in their later life.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image (line 1)
In the image of God he created him (line 2)
Male and female he created them (line 3)
The author is saying,
The image of God is in God's male and female creation from their debut on earth
We image God right from the beginning right in our mothers womb
Psalm 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
When God made you, He did not make a mistake
Your feelings and experience may be different in as later life. But it is in this confusion that we must grab on God even more so.
God has already determined and assigned your gender to you right from the beginning in your mother's womb
It is not constructed from society
Transgender is a person whose gender identity or gender expression differs from their birth sex
(they think their gender is in a Wrong body)
Non binary (NB)
One who identified as neither male nor female and sees themselves outside the gender binary of male and female
Gender Dysphoria (gender identity disorder)
The feeling of discomfort in identifying with the gender associated with their biological sex
Gender non conforming (GNC)
One who expresses his or her gender outside the traditional norms associated with Masculine or femininity
Putting labels on any individual is unloving and unchristian. We as human beings shouldn't be doing.
2. Our distinct gender identity as male or female must be preserved
What is christian masculinity or femininity?
Genesis 2:18
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
E.zer
- rescuer
- strength
- might
God never intended for female to be subordinate or subservient with men. Although God created woman later than man but not lesser than man.
Why create woman later?
Because God wanted male and female to image Him by combining their biological differences
1 Timothy 4:4
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
Good
- Proper
- beautiful
- valuable
- Morally Virtuous
2 Corinthians 3:18
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Let us embrace our birth sex
Let's image God through our sexual identity
God makes no mistakes!
You're not God's mistake
It is possible for sin to mess up the reality of the truth in you!
We ought to be renewing our minds through God's word
Romans 12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Let us not fight the wrong battle. We're up against sin!
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Inter-Generational Living
by Pastor Dinah Lee
Psalm 33:11-12
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
To those who are younger, your attitude towards the older ones :
Psalm 71:17-18
O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. 18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your [a]strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
Leviticus 19:32
‘You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the [a]aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
To those who are older, your attitude towards the younger ones:
Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the [a]fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
Malachi 4:6
He will [a]restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a [b]curse.”
Psalm 33:11-12
The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
To those who are younger, your attitude towards the older ones :
Psalm 71:17-18
O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. 18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your [a]strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
Leviticus 19:32
‘You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the [a]aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
To those who are older, your attitude towards the younger ones:
Proverbs 22:4
The reward of humility and the [a]fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
Malachi 4:6
He will [a]restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a [b]curse.”
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