Messages & Scripture – Page 7

Character Study: Stephen

Sat YP message on Stephen by Stephen

Introduction
Today we will hear the story of an apostle 2000yrs ago named Stephen.
Stephen an apostle of Jesus Christ – A servant, witness for Jesus & martyr who died for Jesus.
This morning we will learn to always trust in God & to help you forgive people who hurt you.

A. Trusting

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” (‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭8-14‬ NIV)

I – Stephen attacked by men. But God gave Stephen wisdom on what to say.
A – In what areas in your life do you need to trust In God
A – How will you trust God to be your Guide?

B. Suffering

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’ “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” (‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭48-53‬ NIV)

I – We are often stiff necked turn away from God. Back in Israel’s time Israelites stiff-necked make idol of golden calf. God killed them by sword & plague.
A – How have we grieved the Holy Spirit? What do you need to confess, ask forgiveness & repent?

I – Stephen faced persecution. Jesus persecuted. Christians today persecuted.
A – Where have you sinned in persecuting others? Friend in school? Foreign worker in mamak? How will you change your behavior?

C. Forgiving

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 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 ‭7‬:‭54-60‬ NIV)

I – Stephen’s response to pray & ask God forgive those who hurt us
I – Jesus teaches us response to turn our cheek if anyone slaps you (Matthew 5:38-40)
A – What do you do when friends despise & forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
A – How do you forgive someone who has hurt you deeply?

Conclusion
Stephen’s life not easy as attacked & hurt by others.
Today our life is not easy as well.
Especially life as a Christian is often filled with challenges & suffering.
But God allows us to trust in Him.
God gives us right words to say. God tells us the right thing to do.
God forgive our sins. God helps us forgive others who hurt us.
God gives us joy. God gives us eternal life.
Like how today Stephen is with our loving Father in heaven.

When I called, you answered me; You made me bold & stouthearted. ~Psalm 138:3

Perseverance

Perseverance by Johnny

Ernest Shackleton expedition on the Endurance to cross Antartica by foot; Trapped for 9 months; Expedition abandoned; Abandoned dream only want to get home.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-4‬ NIV)

In contrast with our desire for quick changes & quick solutions, we need to realize that God is in control of the situation & knows the situation that we are in.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭8-10‬ NIV)

The team were in an impossible situation. There was no rescue ship. No one thought they would survive through this ordeal. But don’t give up. God’s power is more powerful than any difficult situation. Persevere through difficulty. Be faithful through prayer. He can change people & situations.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ NIV)

The Local Church in Corinth – It’s Problems

Sun May 3 message by Mr Ung Kim Cheng

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

Answers Qs on
1. Doubts regarding resurrection of those buried
2. Doubts regarding the resurrection body
Solution: Only the resurrection of Christ could solve these problems

Intro
Corinthians believe in resurrection of Christ but unsure of resurrection of Christians

A. The resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1-34)

B. The nature of the resurrection body (1 Cor 15: 35-50)

C. The resolution of problems in the church (1 Cor 16:1-22)

Conclusion (16:22)
Maranatha – Look the Lord comets
Anathema – If you not love the Lord Jesus Christ
Agape – Love in the Lord for all creatures

Berita Bethel Ung website

Our Hope: The Glory of God

Sun Apr 26 message on Our Hope: The Glory of God by Johnny

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

A The Relationship: an access to God (v1-2)
– Antecedent of we have peace is we have been justified by faith
– Before, we are empty, hard hearted & apathetic to God
– Yield arrogance & hard heartedness to God’s way

Emptiness > Peace with God

– Application: Do we all experience the peace of God? How does God give you peace through turbulent times in the past, present & future?
– Only can experience peace by inviting the prince of peace into your heart

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6-7‬ NIV)

– “Peace floods the soul when Christ floods the heart”
– “Access” to a privileged area (which is the presence of Christ) where we will be in His presence forever

B The understanding of growth (v3-4)
– Take courage in life’s challenges
– Life is a long & winding road
– We know suffering produces perseverance
– Rejoicing in our suffering is not (or should not!) be unusual for a believer
– Illustration: To enjoy lemon or orange juice: we need to squeeze out & disfigure the fruit
– In OT, affliction is viewed as a normal experience of a believer for our spiritual growth

Perseverance – Define: Staying power & capacity stay under heavy load. Describes attitude of overcoming (not doing nothing)

– Illustration: Running marathon, every step after halfway mark is sheer determination to persevere to cross the finish line
– Only a believer who has experienced & perseveres develops steadfastness

“The Lord gets His best soldiers out to the tests of affliction (?)” – Spurgeon

– We will face losses & walk through fires if ordained to do so by the Lord
– Illustration: Refiner puts gold in to remove all impurities leaving metal in the fire until the refiner can see his face in it
– Likewise we are shaped & refined by God becoming more & more like Him
– God chooses what we go through & how we go through it
– In English language, hope contains an element of uncertainty (may/may not happen)

Hope – define: want something to happen

– Simple but also profound hope of what God would accomplish through His plan
– Hope for believers in the Bible carries NO UNCERTAINTY
– The blessed hope that He is coming back (not the blessed maybe)
– Hope is God’s bridge that carries us from where we are to a deeper spiritual maturity
– Our believe, faithfulness & reflection

C The outpouring of God’s love (v5)
– Outpouring of His love which does not disappoint
– God’s redeeming love is outpouring
– Once we develop perseverance in Christ, we see the world differently
– The only way to have this kind of life
– When we celebrate the Lord’s supper, Christ took on burden none of us can imagine & had sweats drops of blood for us
– We have the assurance of blessed hope

Conclusion
– We have hope in the return of our Lord
– Exalting in tribulations which God uses to purify our character
– Deal with it through the blessed hope of the glory of our Lord

Living Good Lives

By Mr Chen on 1 Peter 3:8-14

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 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.” (‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8-14‬ NIV)

A. Formula to good life
1. Right Attitude
2. Right Response
3. Right Standard
4. Right Incentive

B. 5 Aspects of attitude
1. Harmonious
2. Sympathetic
3. Brotherly love
4. Kind hearted
5. Humble minded (most essential)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

C. How to bless others
1. Unconditional love
2. Pray for salvation
3. Thankful for them
4. Speaking well
5. Seek & desire their well-being
6. Forgive them

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday message on Surrender to Supremacy by Wong Chong Wah & baptismal service.

Baptismal Service

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ KJV)

Baptism is a graphic illustration of Jesus death, burial & resurrection.
Only in the Lord Jesus Christ will there be salvation.
Lord, savior & master.
Our faith is based on the Resurrection
Proclamation on resurrection morning “The Lord is risen!”
Overall ~11 appearances of Jesus after He is risen

Surrender to Supremacy by Wong Chong Wah
John 21:1-19

Intro
7 disciples would be restless & aimless thus led by Peter went fishing.

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬ NIV)

A reminder of beginning as originally met Jesus at the Sea of Galilee (#Luke 5:1-11)
Fishermen likely fishing at night. Yet Jesus comes in daytime & the great haul is there.
Both in John & Luke unable to haul in the fish.
Both times needed help hauling in fish.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ NIV)

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ KJV)

Jesus used very intimate terms to address them – friends, children, etc

Fishers of Men
As a believer we are told to be fishers of men.
Jesus will turn our failures into success.
Fishermen wait long periods of time, have courage & patience.
Likewise, As believers we need to have those as fisher of men.
A fisherman catches live fish but once caught the fish will die.
However, fishers of men catch men who are ‘dead’ spiritually & they gain life.

Shepherd of Men

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15-17‬ NIV)

Jesus also calls us to be shepherds of men.
Jesus calls Peter 3x, just as how Peter denied Jesus 3x, to restore him.
Peter had to confess he loves Jesus.
Having been restored, will be surrendered to Jesus’ supremacy.

Conclusion

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭20-22‬ NIV)

For you & I to not worry about others. But to fix our eyes upon Jesus.

The Gospel message is simple: Come to Jesus
Jesus Christ came, died for our sins, buried & rose again. He promised us a very tender loving relationship with Himself.

Shame to Sovereignty

Easter Saturday message on Shame to Sovereignty based on John 20:1-18 by Wong Chong Wah.

Introduction
Today is Saturday evening which is the 3rd day.
Hung 9am. Darkness from 12pm. Buried by Friday 6pm.
(Jews not allow body to hang after sunset 6pm).
Thus today (at 7pm) is the 3rd day.
Women went to the tomb on Sunday morning.
Today is the day Jesus if risen from the dead (no one knows the exact time).

Yesterday we saw Jesus die in shame in the worst form of execution- crucifixion.
By right story should end there. All books biography/autobiography until person’s death.

Something happened! Jesus died BUT is no longer in the tomb!!
Luke, writer of Both Luke & Acts, as a doctor writes accurately.
In Luke chapter 1, Luke is writing the biography of Jesus which he & others have witnessed.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. (‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

But in Acts, Luke is writing about the risen Jesus.
Yet then there were people who did believe Jesus. Or believed in vain & had fallen away.
People’s response either excitement or fear.

By rising from the dead what Jesus says that “Your sins are forgiven” is true.
Gospel merely proves to us that Jesus is the Son of God.

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭32, 36‬ NIV)

Empty tomb & empty cross are ‘receipts’ that Jesus died for our sins. Our sins are forgiven. Our sins are no more.

Conspiracy theory: Jesus body stolen by disciples
Q: Could disciples move the stone & steal the body?
A: The tomb is carved into or a natural cave. There are often many levels. And the stone covering is 2 tons! Tomb before closed has rock on groove. Then rolled & locked into place the stone. Additionally Jewish leaders due to fear requested tomb guarded. Thus guards were posted & Roman seal placed. Believed likely 16 soldiers forming perimeter & anyone approached killed. Soldiers did not approach own centurion but went to Jewish leaders & were paid a large sum.

Q: Jesus not really dead. Rolled away stone.
A: 2 ton stone?!

Q: Disciples saw hallucinations?
A: Reverse is true. Disciples actually saw Jesus but did not believe. Truth is more than 500 people saw Jesus after resurrected.

In John & other gospels we see a progression of faith.
1st frightened & run away.
Burial ceremony done by Joseph of Aramithea & Nicodemus in hurried manner without bathing body to be done before sabbath.
Women went there as very concerned & loved Jesus.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭1-7‬ NIV)

Mary went early Sun morning but did not see Jesus’ body.
Mary was afraid & her faith was eclipsed (shaken). Like the eclipse from 12-3 the day Jesus was crucified.
Mary quickly ran to report the matter to Peter & John.
If stolen, entire body would have been taken away.

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬ NIV)

John saw & believed (!)
In the mind of John there can only be one conclusion – Jesus is risen!

“saw” appears 3x in the passage but different meanings in Greek

v5: to glance at casually
v6: to look carefully; observe
v8: to perceive with intelligent comprehension

Challenge to you to not just glance or look BUT to PERCEIVE with intelligent comprehension that Jesus rose from the dead.
Jesus previously talking in parables “will destroy temple & 3 days again raise it up”.
Disciples difficult to fathom Jesus talking on his death & resurrection.

Disciples saw then believed. Even Jewish leaders in a sense believed but tried to hide the truth.
For us, we have the Gospel to help us believe.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬ NIV)

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭8‬ NIV)

Suddenly dawn on them like morning sunshine that Jesus is no longer in the tomb.
Respond in JOY!

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭18‬ NIV)

Jesus said to Mary, “You have seen me. Now go & tell!”

When you come for this meeting are you looking for a historical narrative OR are you seeking to know on Jesus who has died & risen!
Do we view Jesus as a hero, prophet & a great man? A good ‘guru’ with good examples & good sayings? Jesus principles good to apply in business & life?
Jesus is much more than that!
Jesus wants you to know that He is your savior & my savior. He is your Lord & my Lord. He is my Master & your Master!

I will rise — Presentation dance & song by IGGC

Sinfulness to Salvation

Good Friday message on ‘Sinfulness to Salvation’ by Wong Chong Wah @ BRGH
#Isaiah 53

Introduction to Isaiah 53
Consider a man who was mocked & hated
Yet remembered for all the generations – today 20 centuries after his death
Yes does not end with his death
Isaiah 53 talks about this man

The servant of God
– Establishing justice for all
– Restoration of Jews & light to Gentiles
– God given wisdom
– Servant as the one who suffers & dies

Who has believed our message?
Nobody Isaiah!
But Isaiah doesn’t give up, “Watch this man. And you will see what He says is fulfilled”

Isaiah 53 in summary:
The innocent servant Jesus will die on the cross in place of the guilty
1-4: life
5-8: suffering
9 : burial
10-12: resurrection

Humiliation (1-2)

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

A tender shoot – men did not believe Him or His word (sarcasm & doubt)
Dressed like a servant; only 4 things on Him during crucifixion- sandals, tunic, turban & outer garment
Valued at only 30pcs of silver (In Exodus, that is the price paid for killing a servant)

Rejected (3)

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭3‬ NIV)

There are things we are attracted to today:
– Wealth (Like Pharisees in His time; Some ‘churches’ today promise wealth & health)
– Fame (Want to be seated near head of table; Want to take photo with famous people)
– (False) Humility (Prayed thank God I am not like the tax collector)
– Pampered (Want the best of everything even resorting to theft & selling own body)

Punished (4-6)

Surely HE took up OUR pain and bore OUR suffering, yet we considered HIM punished by God, stricken by HIM, and afflicted. But HE was PIERCED for OUR transgressions, HE was crushed for OUR iniquities; the punishment that brought US peace was on HIM, and by HIS wounds WE are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭4-6NIV)

HE took up punishment for OUR faults
Sacrifice for our sin so we are accepted by God
Wounded & pierced is not the usual punishment & not known during the Isaiah’s time (Remember written more than 700years before crucifixion & in accurate detail!)
Flogged, wounded & needed to carry own cross
Made to walk the longest snaking road possible deliberately – Via Dolorosa
The most humiliating form of punishment
Punished for you & for me

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4-5‬ NIV)

Trials (7-8)

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭7-8‬ NIV)

Total of 7 trials Jesus went through
Illegal trials failed interrogation
False witnesses
Pilot tried to release Jesus but was too weak to do so
Jesus kept quiet to fulfill even though tortured & His life is at stake
Jesus the Passover lamb
John, “Here comes the lamb of God”
Revelation mentions “lamb” more than 28x
If criminal crucified, no relatives would come to claim body which soldiers would be thrown to the dump site
But Jesus had 2 secret disciples Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus
Conspiracy theory that a group of people all behaved in a certain way purposely to fulfill what was prophesied in Isaiah? Possible?!

Satisfaction (from God’s point of view) (9-11)

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭9-11‬ NIV)

Jesus did not attempt to be a martyr
He fulfilled God’s plan

Jesus died so we can have life (12)

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭12‬ NIV)

Seeing God

Thu prayer meeting massage by Sey Yen

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ NIV)

Know Bible but not place trust in Jesus?

Unbelievers – Blinded (2 Cor 4:4)
Believers – Light from God (Acts 7:54-60

Seeing God through the Light of the Holy Spirit
Natural man > Spiritual man

Knowledge of the Light of God’s glory in the Face of Jesus (Rom 1:19-20)

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭15-18‬ NIV)

Only when Jesus shines his light into our hearts then only can we see the beauty of God

How Can I Keep on Hoping?

Outline on Sunday message “How can I keep on hoping? The scriptures” by Johnny.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ NIV)

1. God knows all of us & everything on us
God loves us

2. When discouraged know that God has a plan for us

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ NIV)

Ever feel you don’t belong in a school, workplace or even in a country?
We are created for heaven; citizens of heaven; God’s people

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭13-20‬ NIV)

God’s Word never changes