Sun Mar 22 message by Dr Lai

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. (‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ NIV)

Matthew 5:20: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

• Justification + Sanctification
• Imputed + Imparted Righteousness
• Forgiveness + Holiness

• Justification – wholly God’s work
• Sanctification – we work with God

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12-13‬ NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7-8‬ NIV)

• STOP trying to be good enough for heaven
• LOOK to Jesus for God’s righteousness
• GO on walking with the Spirit day by day
• … Hoping for the crown of righteousness God will give us

“Christian faith is a life long journey to reach the celestial city.” ~A Pilgrim’s Journey by John Bunyan

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭11-14‬ KJV)

• Salvation
• Christology
• Pneumatology

Book of Titus focused on good works

• Qualities of church elders
• Men/women young/old
• We are all bond servants of God

• Salvation
• Expectation of our blessed hope
• The glorious appearing
• Intention of God’s Redemptive Plan
• Instruction of God’s grace (2:11)
• Paideuousa: teaching, training, instructing
• Turn from the negative to the positive

• Self-Controlled, Upright & Godly
• Pornography – a major concern
• “To forsake Godliness is to despise the sacrifice of Jesus Christ”
• Zealous for Good Works

• “The Lord’s Prayer” (or should be named “Disciples Prayer”?)
• Actual Lord’s Prayer is in John 17
• Prayer involves worshipping & approaching God with due reverence

• Faith requirement; acknowledge God as our Father
• Limitation of earthly fathers but we have a perfect Father who loves, cares & guides us
• Through faith in Christ we have privilege access to God’s presence
• Father has authority to withhold & to give
• Knowing all this allows us to deepen our relationship with God

• Our greatest concern is to bring concern to God
• Hallowed = sacred & holy
• Requires us demonstrate holiness, separation from evil & devotion to God’s purposes

• God’s power, authority & will is forever
• Are we looking forward & praying for Jesus’ return? We pray for Jesus’ return for the establishment of His eternal kingdom
• Pray for his purposes & plans to be accomplished on earth even at this time
• Every one of us in our corner let our light shine as a beacon for God’s word as truth to save

• God’s purpose is still on the right track even with the sins of men
• A call for us to pray sincerely to see His plan, purpose & desires to be fulfilled
• What is His plan? It is in His Word & trusting the Holy Spirit’s guidance
• Pray, attentive to God’s will & do!

• Right attitude request God to provide for out daily needs
• Acknowledge & conscious that it’s God who provides
• We are actually very dependent on God our provider
• God is loving & provides for His people
  

  “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ NIV)

  1. Make request according to God’s plan with the purpose of honouring Him
  2. Allow God to demonstrate his Fatherly love for us
  3. Supply our basic needs & to serve God more effectively
• Be content with what you have as what you have is more than enough – you have God!
• When asking for what you want, ensure that you are right by God & what God gives you blessed others

• We are sinners; anyone who says otherwise is a liar
• Prayer is a time to be forgiven of our sins
• Have compassion on others; forgive others

• By ourselves we will never win the battle of yielding to temptation – need to rely on our God
• Pray to get our feet out of the path falling into temptation
• Deliver us from evil one who is full of schemes attacking God’s plan
• How? Watch & pray

• Acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God
• One day, every knee will bow

Happy Chinese New Year! Sharing on the Year of the Sheep by KC Ung.

Goodbye to the Year of the Horse and Welcome to the Year of the Sheep.

A Study Outline on God’s Redemption Programme:

1. The Year of the Sheep – The Strayed Sinner
2. The Year of the Goat – The Substitute’s Sacrifice.
3. The Year of the Ram – The Saint’s Surrender
4. The Year of the Lamb – The Saviour Sovereign

Links

• Slides: The Year of the Sheep
• Notes: The Year of the Sheep
• Main site: Berita Bethel Ung

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-20

There are 3 identities of Godly living:

1. Aliens
2. Citizens
3. Servants

Yet in whatever identity, we  are to abstain from fleshly lusts.
We are to keep our behavior excellent to glorify God.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭59-60‬ NIV)

As Aliens

Christians throughout the ages & until today are accused of many things.
Some is because we do not follow the norm. Others because of falsehood or misinterpretation.

But more important then the accusations, or even our words are our actions.
We are the Bible the world is reading through the testimony of our lives.

As Citizens

We are to submit ourselves for the Lord’s sake.
We are to be subject to governing authorities as from God.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior but for those bent on evil.
If we are subject to laws that contradict the Word of God, we can respond with our truth, yet know that will need to bear the consequences.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

We have 2 spiritual weapons:

1. Word of God
2. Prayer

As Servants

We are to be submissive & for the sake of conscience towards God.
If you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.
If you are reviled for Christ’s name, you are blessed.

For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Follow Christ’s example in our daily living.

Download slides: Silencing the Critics (1MB)

Introduction:
The Bible (and the world) begins with the unity of mankind (Adam & Eve) but division when mankind sinned. Likewise Jews & Gentiles are separated. In fact, Gentiles have double alienation – from God & God’s people.

• From Alienation to Reconciliation
• From Hostility to Peace

Stage 1. What we once were (v11-12)

• Separated from Christ
• Alienated from Israel & strangers of the covenant of promise
• We had no hope & without God in the world

Stage 2. What Christ has done (v13-18)
What did He achieve when He died on the cross?

• The abolition if the law of commandments (15a)
  Law has 2 aspects (moral law: 10 commandments & ceremonial law: circumcision, sacrifice, washing, etc). Ceremonial law set aside when Christ died on the cross. Yet moral law cannot save us as we cannot follow it perfectly.
• The creation of a single new humanity (15b).
  “There is neither Jew not Greek…”
  New identity & new unity in Jesus Christ
• The reconciliation of Jew & Gentile to God (v16)
  Not just one people but reconcile both Jews & Gentiles. God forgives us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Does this mean the entire world is united & reconciled?
No! Not yet. Every time we share the Gospel & proclaim the peace of God in our heart, it is The Lord speaking through us.

• God’s kingdom (v19a)
  God ruling His people
• God’s family (v19b)
  Closeness & intimacy with God. Children in God’s family. Brethren = brothers & sisters in Christ expressing close affection & care supporting one another irrespective of colour, race & position.
  Do you profess to love Christ but cannot stand someone in your church? If you love God, you cannot be hating God’s children!
• God’s temple (v20-22)
  Jesus as cornerstone. A dwelling place of God in the spirit.
  Jews have Jerusalem
  Muslims have Mecca
  Roman Catholics have Rome

Do we Christians need a temple?
No, do not need a temple, land or place to call holy land. But yes we have one (v20) which is built on the foundation of the apostles & prophets with Christ as the cornerstone.

Previously, cornerstone very important to support entire building. Even today’s apartment construction, there will be a large stone placed after clearing.

We are living stone = part of the temple
Every time new believer = add new stone

What is the purpose of the New Temple?
In principle had the same purpose as old temple. It is the dwelling place of God.

The entire universe cannot contain God as He is infinite. The New Temple is a spiritual building where God lives in – in His people, individually & corporately.

“Behold, the dwelling of God is within men.” (Rev 21:1-5)

The church today is what the temple was in the Old Testament. The place where God & His glory are manifested. A New Community
Concern in today’s church: divisions, unforgiving spirit. This prevents the world from seeing the church.
It is important that the church should be what God has purposed – a family reconciled in Christ loving the Father & each other.

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭23‬ NIV)

Download slides (1MB): United in Christ