Category: Messages & Scripture

Thursday Prayer Meeting message by Wong

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has given us the authority to open the doors of heaven
If you are given the key, you are given he responsibility & signifies implication of authority.
In olden days, King would appoint trusted servant who would be given a key to the treasury.
Keys used to worn on neck for safekeeping & as a sign of authority.
This is what Jesus meant when He spoke to Peter, to the other apostles & even to us today!

The Key
The preaching of the Word of God which is given to every believer – Martin Luther King

Why do we preach the Gospel?
There’s only 2 reasons which should be the motive of every believer
1. We love God
2. We love others

God has already done everything necessary for the whole world to go into heaven.

God has given us the authority to forgive in His name
This is not on our own merit but what God has already done.
Our decision to accepts Christ is made on earth but has a major implication in heaven.a picture of a man who is in sin is tied up by Satan.
When we are saved, our bondage is removed & our sin is forgiven.

It is a great honor that we are God’s messengers to declare His Word. – John Calvin

This is a great privilege & also a great responsibility.
It is humbling & also a great comfort that us mere mortal men can share & impart God’s Word.

Sun Sep 13
The Blessed & The Cursed
Psalm 1
By Lai

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God seems to divide into only 2 groups (eg Cain & Abel, Isaac & Ishmael, Wicked & Righteous)
Which group are we in?
Enter by the narrow gate

a Tale of Two People
V1-3: blessed
V4-6: wicked

Blessings are found many places in the Bible (eg Beatitudes, Psalm)
NOT:
– WALK in the counsel of the UNGODLY
– STAND in the path of sinners
– SIT in the seats of the scornful making fun of the things of God

Does it say we should not mix with sinners or even non-Christian friends?
No. As Jesus Himself mixed & ate with sinners & tax collectors
Because of Jesus being with them, they changed to become like Him
Jesus did not change
We can mix with non-Christians but keeping our Christian values
An example of walking in the counsel of the ungodly is a pastor who committed suicide after he Ashley Madison expose

What God likes
– DELIGHTS in the law of the Lord; the Bible
Humans by nature in sin do not see any value in God’s Word
A person can only delight in God’s Word after being reborn
One way to check ourselves is how we read God’s Word; Is it a joy or a duty?
– Meditates day & night on God’s Word

Like a tree
– PLANTED by the river
A tree does not plant itself
We are only who we are by the grace of God
– Bears its fruits in its season
Fruits of good works bringing others to the Lord
– Leaves do not wither
– What he does — prospers
Not only monetary terms but what he does comes easily (eg the success God gave Joseph in Egypt)

People on the broad way
– “ungodly”, “wicked”
– Like CHAFF
A tree unmovable & stable VS chaff easily blown by the wind & useless
– Blown away by the wind

What happens to them?
– NOT STAND
May say many things today but unable to stand in the day of judgement

Why the psalmist certainty they will not stand?
– For the LORD knows
– The way of the righteous

– The way of the ungodly
– Shall perish

Psalm summarizes all mankind to 2
Those who are godly & those who are not
Where do we stand?

Reminded of #John 3
– Nicodemus — a Pharisee, a Bible teacher yet realized that he was lacking
– Jesus said you will not enter the gate
– Jesus replied that you need to be born again

False evidences
#Matthew 7
– I do not know you
– Depart from me
A true Christian is not because of what you do but who you are
Do you know the Lord Jesus Himself?

Review of Psalm 1: Signs of new life
– A delight of the Bible
– Growth in knowing God better & becoming more like Jesus
– Bears fruit
– Love for believers

Thu Prayer Meeting Sharing on Hebrews 14:16

Intro
Did you know that coins used to be irregular (not quite round) & made from precious materials like silver. People started shaving off the sides of coins to get precious materials. Coins with the help of machine made perfectly round & milled at the sides (either lines or words). There are even idioms on coins such as 2 sides of the same coin. Meaning: Very closely related although seems different. Today we are looking at 2 sides of the same coin through grace & mercy in Hebrews 4.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Grace
– Unmerited favor; getting what we do not deserve
Over 170x in NT… yet we often struggle to understand grace as humans we often only reciprocate to favors
Why unmerited? Our sinful nature. God’s laws show us how far we fall short. Not one of us can be saved by our own works. Yet all of us can come to a merciful God.
Why does God show grace? God gives us life. God gives us love. God gives us redemption.
– God’s throne of grace:

“True prayer is an approach of the soul by the Spirit of God to the throne of God.”- Spurgeon

So we behave in lowly reverence to approach Our Father who is hallowed, almighty, the King of kings & Lord of lords
– Why confidence? Thankfulness, joyfulness & trust knowing Our King will not give us scraps or broken pieces but is the seat where He dispenses grace.

How often do you stop to worship God & reflect on who He is?
What is your attitude when you come to God?

Mercy
– Loving compassion despite being sinners; Not getting what we deserve
– Our redeemer God. God’s plan of redemption shows His unlimited love not sparing His son.
Blood is shed in substitutionary atonement because without it there is no forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ blood is the only way. God is our redeemer.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

– When we fail, God comes to us with mercy & compassion that never fails!

Imagine being in God’s metaphorical shoes facing sinners every day. Repeatedly sinning. Yet humans responding in love & mercy being slow to anger.

How will you thank God for His mercy?
How do you show mercy & compassion to others? How will you behave the next time your blood starts to boil?

Conclusion
We need God else we are lost. Forever. Our provider God gives us all that we need & knows what is best for us. We need to approach God in love, thanksgiving, awe & reverence. By desiring to know & experience God, we will draw closer to Him & really know Him. And our actions on how we treat our fellow men with grace & mercy will draw others to eventually know His grace & mercy. We are all to offer our best to God who has given us such grace & mercy!

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: (‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬ NIV)

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ NIV)

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭31‬ NIV)

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; (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ NIV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ NIV)

according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ NIV)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ NIV)

The Fruit of Hope: Endurance (1 Thessalonians‬ 1:2-3) by Sinnappan

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭2-3‬ NIV)

The apostle Paul, together with Silas & Timothy, is thrilled with joy to hear of the spiritual testimony of the saints in the church of Thessalonica. His happiness flows out as thanksgiving to God. He points out 3 particular evidences which prove their salvation.

1. Evidences of Salvation – In the Triad of Blessings
– Faith: Leading to good works among men
It is expresses in energetic waiting for the fulfilment of the action & benevolent activities (Heb 6:9-10).
We are created to do good works (Eph 2:10).
We should not be weary in working out (proving) our salvation.
– Love: Leading to hard work for The Lord (Gal 5:6, 6:9).
We prove our love for God by our toil of sweat, blood & tears! (2 Cor 5:14)
– Hope (Elpis): Leading to patient expectation through trials.
The heroes of faith of Hebrews 11 illustrated the need of enduring patience waiting for the fulfilment of the hope of salvation (heaven).
It is trusting the unseen & intangible as real & true (Lam 3:24; Luke 8:15)

2. Endurance of the Saints – In the trail of believers
Our hope is in:
– His promises – It never fails (Josh 21:45)
– His power – It never faints
He has risen & will keep His word (Matt 19:26)
His resurrection power (John 14:1-2)

Hope keeps you watching in prayer, waiting in patience, working with persistence, witnessing with passion & warfare with perseverance.

Psalm 119:9-16 by Lai

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭9-16‬ NIV)

1. Dangers that a Christian face
2. Defense against dangers

3 Dangers
1. Possibility of straying from God’s Word
2. Sinning against God
3. Succumbing to the impurities of the world

7 Defense
1. Do not neglect the Word of God (read God’s Word daily)
2. Recount (memorize) God’s verses that speaks to us
3. Meditate & consider God’s Word
4. Hide God’s Word in our hearts
5. Live it out in our lives
6. Consider whether does it help promote God’s Kingdom
7. Delighting & rejoicing in God’s Word

Teach me your decrees. Do not let me stray from your command.
God’s Word is not dead. It is alive!

Would we be happier to get a million dollars or God’s Word?
If you don’t find it joyful, you may need to check the state of your spiritual health & do some soul searching

Need to read God’s Word daily, hiding it in out heart & living it. And to pray for this joy in our lives.

Our Security (1 Peter 3:13-17)
By Chen

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭13-17‬ NIV)

Dealing with Hostility:

1. Passion for goodness – Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
Be in love with goodness. Make it your joy, your life & your goal.
What is goodness? James 1:27

2. Pliability in suffering – But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled…
Pliability = Adaptability
A joy, privilege & honor if face suffering in the name of Christ

3. Place for Christ – Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts

4. Preparedness to answer – always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness & reverence

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ NIV)

Know what you believe
Answer with gentleness, meekness, humility & reverence

5. Pure conscience – and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (‭Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬ NIV)

– Confession
– Ask forgiveness
– Restitution (reconciliation)
– No procrastination
– Education

6. Perspective on options – For it is better if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil
Correct perspective on viewing trials

Ephesians 4:1-16 by Wong

Ephesians Overview
Ch 1-3:
– Our spiritual wealth in heaven which God has secured for us
– How God sees us in Christ
Ch 4-6:
– Our spiritual walk here on earth
– How the world sees Christ in us. So we can reflect our Lord Jesus Christ

Doctrine must be expressed in duty of believers.
Must be seen in practice expressed in our daily behavior.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭1-6‬ NIV)

The work of glorifying God is impossible with our own selves but by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit enables us to serve in a way that glorifies Him & brings us to maturity.
High View of God: God is always the one who provides what we need.

Ch4 v1
– It is God’s appointment
– Live a life consistent with our calling to Christ

v2
– We have a very high calling, the highest possible
– Yet we need to be careful that it must not make us feel proud or superior
– Salvation by grace not works, thus we should be humble, gentle & patient
– This is the very attitude of our Master

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (‭Philippians ‭2‬:‭5-8‬ NIV)

v3
– Manifest the good works
– These are the fruits of the spirit

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John‬ ‭13‬:‭34-35‬ NIV)

v4-6
– Unity in church is not something we create for ourselves, but by God Himself
– Our part is to preserve it & promote it
– We share a common hope of His calling

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭7-16‬ NIV)

– We are all given gifts that are unique & different spheres of service
– Spiritual gifts are given to believers as a result of our victorious Lord’s victory at Calvary. Employ our spiritual gifts consistently with how Jesus obtained it – humbly.
– Find out our place of service in the body of Christ. Can view the church as a field of work. To start doing what God wants us to do. Contribute to the needs of others. Practice hospitality. Rebuke when necessary. Encourage disheartened. Help the weak.
– God is no man’s debtor. God blesses those who bless others.
– The goal of every gift is the church can continue to give to each other & reach maturity.
– As we obey Him, God will manifest His likeness

Conclusion
– We are precious in the eyes of God
– Each one of us has a calling, a high calling, the highest calling from God

Sunday May 31 message by Wong

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭1-13‬ NIV)

Intro
When man sinned, God was not taken by surprise
Christianity is not merely about the salvation of sinners & forgiveness of sins

Review Ephesians Ch 1-2
God’s people, he church has a heavenly calling

1. Our salvation is founded upon God himself

• Predestination- by the Father
• Redemption – by the Son
• Sealing – by the Spirit

2. God’s power – Manifested in Chris, all believers

3 Paul’s Privilege (v1-8)
Mystery revealed, Ministry entrusted

The ministry entrusted to Paul (v7-13)

• a) Make known Christ’s riches to the Gentiles (v8)
• b) Making known he mystery to all men (v9)
• c) Making known God’s wisdom to the cosmic powers

Major Lesson: The Church has a central place in His plan

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

The Church is central to history
His everlasting promise: ‘I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
In today’s world, boundaries are constantly redrawn as wars rage & powers wane. But God’s people are the church around the world

The Church is central to Christian living
Serve & strengthen one another; Live lives pleasing to God; Privileges comes with responsibilities

Conclusion

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16-19‬ NIV)

Sunday message by Cheah

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18-21‬ NIV)

The Lord is very protective of His people; ever willing to be their protector
Compassion for people; Healed the sick
He is gentle & approachable
Sent the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer – the comforter
Give the not merely life, but abundant life