by Pastor Gideon
Big idea:
Making disciples requires sacrifice, commitment, and perseverance
Jesus didn't just talk about it, He examplifies it all the way to the cross for us
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Point one:
Carry our cross to go all in
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Deny:
Meant to disregard one's own interest or to prove false to oneself
It can even means one's rights
Luke 12:25-27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Hate here means Not emotional hospitality, it means loving less or placing second
Christ alone must be given exclusive and total loyalty
Actively and deliberate sacrificing ones own interest in exclusive and total loyalty to Christ alone
World champion opposite of what Christ wants.. follow your heart, be yourself.... Social identity determine by social media ... Self expression celebrated with no need apologies, seek your own pleasure, urge and desires....
Often led by own carnal desires to promote self ....
When we're in between the world and God, we are face with
Constant struggle to fully surrender to God's will, leads to confusion and indecision and we end up no where
The cross represents suffering, painful, tough so most of us avoid taking this decision of choosing under the reign of Jesus Christ
kingdom mission of making disciples requires Kingdom methods
We are called to live by Kingdom's values, not the world's value
Follow self or Christ
Self denial at its own ends leads to dead end. So we must follow Christ so is not dead end. But we will be transform to be more like Christ
Discipleship is both the journey of becoming like Christ and the preparation of making others like Christ
Follow Jesus
Transform by Jesus
Do the mission of Christ
We are transformed and sent by Him into His mission to make disciples
Love for something far greater than our own dreams, our desires. It is following His way asking what would Jesus do
Holy spirit will Expose my ego to claim personal rights...
When the role given to me is insignificant .... Even though I receive confirmation or dreams that God has given me. Will I carry my cross and be the disciple that Jesus is looking for?
Carry our cross, All in
Count the cost, Sure win
Luke 14:28-30
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
Luke 14:31-32
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
Had to yield totally to stronger side
Build tower represent disciple making journey
-Follow Christ
-Be transformed
-Commit to Christ mission
Surely will have self sacrifice in disciple making journey
Evaluate our willingness to go through suffering and hardship as life is always full of surprises. There will be trials and test
Our only hope is to stop fighting our own anatomy, our own rights but to totally yield and surrender to Jesus, a fruitful surrender, a sure win
Luke 9:24-25
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
To gain everything in this world is to Sacrifice our eternal soul
Our faith is not a private matter but a public testimony
Disciole-Making requires us to carry the cross and count the loss
Gospel was never meant to be hidden but to get Invade darkness
Share good news, make disciples
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
You snooze, you lose
by Pastor Steve
Big idea:
True disciples live with readiness and responsibility, faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to them
We are all called to active and faithful stewardship
Luke 12:41-48
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Read the context before Luke 12:41-48 which is Luke 12:35-40
Luke 12:35-40
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Peter asked in reference to above verse
- Stay dressed for action
- Keep your lamps burning
- Awake
- Ready
This instruction to be awake and ready is for every disciples whom Jesus has entrusted to serve, basically is for all of us, be his wise manager, being given with significant authority over my masters property. Provide spiritual norishing to foster spiritual growth and care to those around our sphere
As disciples of Christ, we are all called to active and faithful stewardship over the time, talents, resources, relationships that God has entrusted to us for disciple-making
Faithful disciple-makers don't snooze, but actively help disciples to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and commit to His mission
"Active stewardship and not passive waiting"
Readiness isn't passive waiting for Christ return; it is active stewardship of the work of disciple-making
Matthew 25:21
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
We do not know when the lord is coming back. I'm entrusted with disciple making. What am I to do about it?
# Application 1
Start discipling someone now; don't wait for the "perfect time"
Christian often hit the spiritual snooze button and Neglect the urgency of making disciple
3A's to start disciple-making:
1) Ask the Lord for names
2) Approach the person
3) Adjust your schedule (out of sight, most likely is out of mind)
There must be commitment and reserve solely for disciple making purpose. There is no perfect time to start cause it'll never come
Whether you're faithful or not, you'll be called to give an account
Luke 12:45-46
But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
Luke 12:45-46 is meant to deliver a punch of the message, is meant for disciples who lost the sight of urgency
When disciples lose sight of Jesus' impending return, they drift from faithfulness into destructive behaviour
The danger of disciples who "snooze" on their calling is neglecting their responsibility and missing the opportunities to care for those entrusted to them
If you snooze, you lose:
- the joy of seeing God transform lives (3 John 4)
- the growth of your own faith (Hebrews 5:14)
- the ability to make an eternal impact (2 Timothy 2:2)
- the opportunity in kingdom partnership (Matthew 28:20)
Discipleship Is not just another task or another good thing to do
Eternal consequences are at stake and God holds us accountable based on the knowledge, time, resources, talents given to us including pushing disciple making to later
Luke 12:47-48
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
We are to account to Christ for what He has called us to do
# Application 2
Don't procrastinate, feel the urgency
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Don't procrastinate and feel the urgency!
Jesus isn't looking for people who just believe in Him. He's returning for faithful disciples who steward their time, talents and resources and relationships well for His kingdom purpose. Let us live watchfully and faithfully and be ready for Jesus' return by actively engaging in the work of disciple-making
Big idea:
True disciples live with readiness and responsibility, faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to them
We are all called to active and faithful stewardship
Luke 12:41-48
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Read the context before Luke 12:41-48 which is Luke 12:35-40
Luke 12:35-40
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Peter asked in reference to above verse
- Stay dressed for action
- Keep your lamps burning
- Awake
- Ready
This instruction to be awake and ready is for every disciples whom Jesus has entrusted to serve, basically is for all of us, be his wise manager, being given with significant authority over my masters property. Provide spiritual norishing to foster spiritual growth and care to those around our sphere
As disciples of Christ, we are all called to active and faithful stewardship over the time, talents, resources, relationships that God has entrusted to us for disciple-making
Faithful disciple-makers don't snooze, but actively help disciples to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and commit to His mission
"Active stewardship and not passive waiting"
Readiness isn't passive waiting for Christ return; it is active stewardship of the work of disciple-making
Matthew 25:21
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
We do not know when the lord is coming back. I'm entrusted with disciple making. What am I to do about it?
# Application 1
Start discipling someone now; don't wait for the "perfect time"
Christian often hit the spiritual snooze button and Neglect the urgency of making disciple
3A's to start disciple-making:
1) Ask the Lord for names
2) Approach the person
3) Adjust your schedule (out of sight, most likely is out of mind)
There must be commitment and reserve solely for disciple making purpose. There is no perfect time to start cause it'll never come
Whether you're faithful or not, you'll be called to give an account
Luke 12:45-46
But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
Luke 12:45-46 is meant to deliver a punch of the message, is meant for disciples who lost the sight of urgency
When disciples lose sight of Jesus' impending return, they drift from faithfulness into destructive behaviour
The danger of disciples who "snooze" on their calling is neglecting their responsibility and missing the opportunities to care for those entrusted to them
If you snooze, you lose:
- the joy of seeing God transform lives (3 John 4)
- the growth of your own faith (Hebrews 5:14)
- the ability to make an eternal impact (2 Timothy 2:2)
- the opportunity in kingdom partnership (Matthew 28:20)
Discipleship Is not just another task or another good thing to do
Eternal consequences are at stake and God holds us accountable based on the knowledge, time, resources, talents given to us including pushing disciple making to later
Luke 12:47-48
“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
We are to account to Christ for what He has called us to do
# Application 2
Don't procrastinate, feel the urgency
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Don't procrastinate and feel the urgency!
Jesus isn't looking for people who just believe in Him. He's returning for faithful disciples who steward their time, talents and resources and relationships well for His kingdom purpose. Let us live watchfully and faithfully and be ready for Jesus' return by actively engaging in the work of disciple-making
Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Lord's Prayer
by Desmond
Big idea:
Praying "Your Kingdom come, your will be done" is a prayer to fully surrender to God's reign, join His mission, and desire His perfect will to be done on earth as in heaven
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Application 1:
Surrender fully and let God's kingdom reign in every part of your life
Allow the Holy Spirit to search area that you struggle to surrender to God's reign
Application 2:
Live out God's will on earth as it is in heaven
Psalm 103:20-21
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Prayer for our children (working/in schools/toddlers):
a) Our children will live out and obey God's will in their lives
b) Grow up with the fear of the Lord
c) They will not be influenced by the world, but be influencers for Christ, sharing the gospel to their friends
Prayer for working adults:
a) Obey God's will and work with integrity
b) Carry God's presence daily and be Christ's ambassadors at work
c) Open opportunity to share the gospel to non-christian colleagues
Prayer for homemakers and retirees:
a) God will use them to fulfil His will to be a disciple-maker for the next generation
b) God will enlarge their area of influence to proclaim the gospel to non-christians around you
c) Strength to live a life of obedience and to fulfil God's will in their daily lives
Intercede for recent ______ issue:
a) Pray against the current rise of ______ in Singapore
b) Pray for user to break the habit of _______ and for them to cease using/engage in the harmful habit of _______ that affects the people around them as well
Application 3:
The church will continue to fulfil God's will for Singapore
Big idea:
Praying "Your Kingdom come, your will be done" is a prayer to fully surrender to God's reign, join His mission, and desire His perfect will to be done on earth as in heaven
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Application 1:
Surrender fully and let God's kingdom reign in every part of your life
Allow the Holy Spirit to search area that you struggle to surrender to God's reign
Application 2:
Live out God's will on earth as it is in heaven
Psalm 103:20-21
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Prayer for our children (working/in schools/toddlers):
a) Our children will live out and obey God's will in their lives
b) Grow up with the fear of the Lord
c) They will not be influenced by the world, but be influencers for Christ, sharing the gospel to their friends
Prayer for working adults:
a) Obey God's will and work with integrity
b) Carry God's presence daily and be Christ's ambassadors at work
c) Open opportunity to share the gospel to non-christian colleagues
Prayer for homemakers and retirees:
a) God will use them to fulfil His will to be a disciple-maker for the next generation
b) God will enlarge their area of influence to proclaim the gospel to non-christians around you
c) Strength to live a life of obedience and to fulfil God's will in their daily lives
Intercede for recent ______ issue:
a) Pray against the current rise of ______ in Singapore
b) Pray for user to break the habit of _______ and for them to cease using/engage in the harmful habit of _______ that affects the people around them as well
Application 3:
The church will continue to fulfil God's will for Singapore
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