Rev Ricky Ho
Acts 4:31: When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness
*It doesn't mean anything if we sit or stand when our heart is not right with God
*Prayer is the last thing we do when we are in trouble
Mark 11:17: He then taught the people: "It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.' But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!"
*We can pray, believe and receive, or pray, doubt and do without
*We can pray and be obedient
*God is faithful and will see us through
*The church will always have problems because we are imperfect
*The lack of unity is one of the main problems in church
*The prayer life in the church is most critical
*A praying church is a powerful church
4 Distinctive Marks of the Prayer Church
1, Mark of a Continuous Desire to Pray
(v23-24): As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said. When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: "Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!
*Peter and John were not figuring a way to escape but seek God even after they were release
*It should be an issue on whether we give our tithes or not
*All of us ought to pray
2. The Eyes of Faith and Expectancy are towards God
(v24): When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: "Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!
*When the church in Jerusalem had a problem, they turned their eyes away from human beings and looked to the Lord
*Prayer is the top priority, not the last
3. The Church will Evangelize
(v29): And now, Lord, take notice of the threads they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.
*The prayer of the church was not to protect Peter and John but to be bolder in preaching the word
*Persecution makes the church understand the boldness we need
*It is complacency that will destroy the church
4. The Holy Spirit manifests His Presence and Power
(v31): When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God's message with boldness.
*The problems makes us want to do more for God
*The people who are in tune with God will preach even bolder
Conclusion
*How serious are we in taking all these?
*Are we ready to be a praying church?
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Listen!
"Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed. For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die."
-1 Corinthians 15:51-53-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-1 Corinthians 15:51-53-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Love!
"We love because God first loved us."
-1 John 4:19-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-1 John 4:19-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"Birthed in Prayer"
Rev Ricky Ho
*Smart Christians are being distracted
*We do the non-essential things instead of the essential ones
*The church is to be powered by the Holy Spirit
*The church must constantly be filled with the Holy Spirit
*The birth of the church is the result of prayer
Acts 1:12-14: Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about a kilometre away from the city. They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying; Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
*Jesus appeared to the disciples, he told them to go to Jerusalem, wait and pray not knowing how long
*The working of the church is not base on the issues of rich and poor
*Many of us go without prayer for us and expects us to grow in the Lord
*How can we survive without asking God to refresh us?
1. The disciple prayed obediently
*The obedient prayer has 3 characteristics:
Immediate (v10-11)
*Many people don't turn up for prayer meeting because they don't see the power or the answer
Joyful
Luke 24:52: They worshipped him and went back into Jerusalem, filled with great joy.
Full of expectancy
*They rushed because they expect God will do something
2. They prayed constantly (v14)
*They prayed expectantly for God to do something and open their eyes
*We need to learn holding men in prayer
3. They prayed in Unity
*People threatened the church by using unity
*Unity is not conformity
*Peter and Matthew were very different people
*We're not serving our own agenda, we are serving the Lord
*They had a common quest- to seek the Lord
*Your life cannot be empowered by Christ if you don't start with prayer
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*Smart Christians are being distracted
*We do the non-essential things instead of the essential ones
*The church is to be powered by the Holy Spirit
*The church must constantly be filled with the Holy Spirit
*The birth of the church is the result of prayer
Acts 1:12-14: Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about a kilometre away from the city. They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying; Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
*Jesus appeared to the disciples, he told them to go to Jerusalem, wait and pray not knowing how long
*The working of the church is not base on the issues of rich and poor
*Many of us go without prayer for us and expects us to grow in the Lord
*How can we survive without asking God to refresh us?
1. The disciple prayed obediently
*The obedient prayer has 3 characteristics:
Immediate (v10-11)
*Many people don't turn up for prayer meeting because they don't see the power or the answer
Joyful
Luke 24:52: They worshipped him and went back into Jerusalem, filled with great joy.
Full of expectancy
*They rushed because they expect God will do something
2. They prayed constantly (v14)
*They prayed expectantly for God to do something and open their eyes
*We need to learn holding men in prayer
3. They prayed in Unity
*People threatened the church by using unity
*Unity is not conformity
*Peter and Matthew were very different people
*We're not serving our own agenda, we are serving the Lord
*They had a common quest- to seek the Lord
*Your life cannot be empowered by Christ if you don't start with prayer
Thus, it begins with you and me.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, January 24, 2011
Corinthians says..
"I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. Then he appeared to James, and afterwards to all the apostles."
-1 Corinthians 15:3-7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-1 Corinthians 15:3-7-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"Worship"
Romans 5:8: But God has shown us how much he loves us- it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!
Matthew 19:13-15: Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." He placed his hands on them and then went away.
Matthew 5:45: so that you may become the sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.
*We must remind ourselves that we are the creation and we ought to worship the creator
*The God we worship can be our King but also our friend. Nevertheless we must give honour and praise to worship Him
*We must worship God with our whole soul, mind and body
*God will treat a non-christian to sing differently then a christian. However, He is not bias and treat everyone the same.
*We sing because it is the most simplest thing to do and we can be united in one body
*We are always worshiping the Lord for worship is not restricted to just singing but praying, eating or writing can be a form of worship to the Lord
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Matthew 19:13-15: Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." He placed his hands on them and then went away.
Matthew 5:45: so that you may become the sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.
*We must remind ourselves that we are the creation and we ought to worship the creator
*The God we worship can be our King but also our friend. Nevertheless we must give honour and praise to worship Him
*We must worship God with our whole soul, mind and body
*God will treat a non-christian to sing differently then a christian. However, He is not bias and treat everyone the same.
*We sing because it is the most simplest thing to do and we can be united in one body
*We are always worshiping the Lord for worship is not restricted to just singing but praying, eating or writing can be a form of worship to the Lord
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Speck vs Log
"Why then, do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How dare you say to your brother, 'Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you have a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
-Matthew 7:3-5-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Matthew 7:3-5-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"The Test of Faith: Abraham's Supreme Sacrifice"
Dr Thomas Chung
Hebrews 11:17-19: It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised." Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.
*God's eternal purpose would not be fulfilled without the coming of Christ
*We do not need any more light because Jesus is the light. Instead we will go in eternal life
*Hebrews 11:8-12, 17: It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations. It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the sea-shore.
It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test, Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice.
1. By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called.
*The call of faith. We ought the obey. The ultimate reason to live here on earth
The General Call
1. Call to follow Jesus. Deny himself, take up his cross and follow God.
*Recall of personal evangelism
The Specific Call
*Specific to a particular ministry
*There are things that God will personally ask us to do in particular
*Only we know what we ought to do, others might not
*That calling would only be pleasing to God
*John 6:44: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me; and I will raise him to life on the last day.
*Everything wears off unless you know for certain what you want to do
*When the going gets tough, keep going
2. Obedience follows that call
*The paradox (Saying that when sees on the surface, its seen as contradictory) of the call of faith
*It can be specific or non-specific
*God asked them to go. Where? not knowing where
*Thats where the nature of the Holy Spirit comes
*We can't understand everything because God is so infinite but we ought to seek Him as much as we can.
*Getting out the people of Israel out in Egypt was no problem but to keep them in the desert for 40 years
*It was a ministry of deliverance
*Learning humility
*There are no shortcuts in Christianity
*We have 3 division - length, depth and width
*Abraham had a fourth division- every time he opened his eyes, he saw the city of God
*This enabled him to live by faith. He had a spiritual schizophernia. His body was on earth but He was living in heaven.
*Hebrews 11:5: It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God.
*The character of God which hated human sacrifices called Abraham to sacrifice his only son
*James 2:23: And the scripture came true that said, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." And so Abraham was called God's friend.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Hebrews 11:17-19: It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised." Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from death and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.
*God's eternal purpose would not be fulfilled without the coming of Christ
*We do not need any more light because Jesus is the light. Instead we will go in eternal life
*Hebrews 11:8-12, 17: It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations. It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the sea-shore.
It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test, Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice.
1. By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called.
*The call of faith. We ought the obey. The ultimate reason to live here on earth
The General Call
1. Call to follow Jesus. Deny himself, take up his cross and follow God.
*Recall of personal evangelism
The Specific Call
*Specific to a particular ministry
*There are things that God will personally ask us to do in particular
*Only we know what we ought to do, others might not
*That calling would only be pleasing to God
*John 6:44: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me; and I will raise him to life on the last day.
*Everything wears off unless you know for certain what you want to do
*When the going gets tough, keep going
2. Obedience follows that call
*The paradox (Saying that when sees on the surface, its seen as contradictory) of the call of faith
*It can be specific or non-specific
*God asked them to go. Where? not knowing where
*Thats where the nature of the Holy Spirit comes
*We can't understand everything because God is so infinite but we ought to seek Him as much as we can.
*Getting out the people of Israel out in Egypt was no problem but to keep them in the desert for 40 years
*It was a ministry of deliverance
*Learning humility
*There are no shortcuts in Christianity
*We have 3 division - length, depth and width
*Abraham had a fourth division- every time he opened his eyes, he saw the city of God
*This enabled him to live by faith. He had a spiritual schizophernia. His body was on earth but He was living in heaven.
*Hebrews 11:5: It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God.
*The character of God which hated human sacrifices called Abraham to sacrifice his only son
*James 2:23: And the scripture came true that said, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." And so Abraham was called God's friend.
"God would call him 'my dear friend'".
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"Growing Toegther: Partnership In The Gospel"
Pastor Lee Chee Keat
Philippians 1:4-8: and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
Deuteronomy 26:12-15: "Every third year give the tithe- a tenth of your crops- to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this, say to the Lord, 'None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe. I have not eaten any of it when I was mourning; I have not taken any of it out of my house when I was ritually unclean; and I have not given any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed you, O Lord; I have done everything you commanded concerning the tithe. Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people in Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have fiven us, as you promised our ancestors.
*We choose a church to satisfy our wants
*Ho to partner a church?
*Philippians 1:8: God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
*Paul admire the Philippian church because they partner with him
*Root word of partnership- fellowship
*They have a good relationship because they have one common purpose- to spread the gospel
*Acts 16- Paul was persecuted by the on believers in Philippi but he took this risk
*The main focus should be our partnership, not the meal time
Characteristics of Partnership
1. Attitude of these in Partnership
*Is it of love?
*v5 Because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.
*No but of loyalty for one another
2. Ownership of the Partnership
*Partnership in the Gospel belongs to God or Jesus Christ
*v6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.
3. The Basis of Partnership
*Is God's grace
*v7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.
How did the Philippians partner Paul?
1. Financial giving
*Philippians 4:15-19: You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me- and it has been more than enough! I have all I need ow that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.
*The Old Testament talks about God's grace which was saved by Abraham
*However, there is no difference from today- We are also saved by God's grace
*We as humans can fall into the materialistic world
*Thus, we avoid that by giving 10%
*Many people would feel generous and content by giving as well
2. Pray
*Philippians 1:9: I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgement.
*We need God to share the hardship of life
*We should start sharing the gospel again
*Thus, we need to pray for each other on justice
3. Sharing troubles
*Philippians 4:14: But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles.
"Are you a consumer or a partner in your church?"
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Philippians 1:4-8: and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
Deuteronomy 26:12-15: "Every third year give the tithe- a tenth of your crops- to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this, say to the Lord, 'None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe. I have not eaten any of it when I was mourning; I have not taken any of it out of my house when I was ritually unclean; and I have not given any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed you, O Lord; I have done everything you commanded concerning the tithe. Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people in Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have fiven us, as you promised our ancestors.
*We choose a church to satisfy our wants
*Ho to partner a church?
*Philippians 1:8: God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.
*Paul admire the Philippian church because they partner with him
*Root word of partnership- fellowship
*They have a good relationship because they have one common purpose- to spread the gospel
*Acts 16- Paul was persecuted by the on believers in Philippi but he took this risk
*The main focus should be our partnership, not the meal time
Characteristics of Partnership
1. Attitude of these in Partnership
*Is it of love?
*v5 Because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.
*No but of loyalty for one another
2. Ownership of the Partnership
*Partnership in the Gospel belongs to God or Jesus Christ
*v6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.
3. The Basis of Partnership
*Is God's grace
*v7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.
How did the Philippians partner Paul?
1. Financial giving
*Philippians 4:15-19: You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me- and it has been more than enough! I have all I need ow that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.
*The Old Testament talks about God's grace which was saved by Abraham
*However, there is no difference from today- We are also saved by God's grace
*We as humans can fall into the materialistic world
*Thus, we avoid that by giving 10%
*Many people would feel generous and content by giving as well
2. Pray
*Philippians 1:9: I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgement.
*We need God to share the hardship of life
*We should start sharing the gospel again
*Thus, we need to pray for each other on justice
3. Sharing troubles
*Philippians 4:14: But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles.
"Are you a consumer or a partner in your church?"
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"Christmas- An Epitome of Humility"
Pastor Andrew Lim
Philippians 2:1-11: Your life in Christ makes you strong, an his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a man and appeared in human likeness.
He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death-his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below
will fall on their knees,
and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
*We can easily get influenced in worldly affairs about christmas
*WORD OF GOD
*Jesus was not born on the 25th of December 2010 because the shepherds would not tend their flock in the cold winter of December
*It is not just about Christmas parties but to remember that Jesus Christ was born
*His perfect incarnation is the most significant symbol of humility
*Phillipians 2:5: The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.
*Thus we are called to immitate the attitude of humility
*To walk the higher road, we need humility
*Humility is about our nature, the thoughts we think
*Phillipians 2:6: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
*Phillipians 2:3: Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.
(Consider others better than yourselves)-hardest to obey
*It is difficult to just believe, or having a child like faith
*To be humble, we should not put ourselves higher than we ought to be but to esteem others
2nd mark of humility
*Jesus thought of others instead of himself
*Phillipians 2:4: And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.
*In everything we do, we have to consider serving the interest of others
*Only by serving others can we learn to esteem others better than ourselves
3rd mark of humility
Jesus humbled himself to the point of death
*Phillipians 2:8: He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death- his death on the cross.
*Humility and submission goes hand in hand
*Jesus endured to the very end
*We need to put aside jealousy and envy
*Romans 12:9-16: Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
Ask God to bless those who persecute you- yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
*To subject ourselves to one another
*Christmas is also about Christ humility
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Philippians 2:1-11: Your life in Christ makes you strong, an his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. I urge you, then, to make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and mind. Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.
He became like a man and appeared in human likeness.
He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death-his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below
will fall on their knees,
and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
*We can easily get influenced in worldly affairs about christmas
*WORD OF GOD
*Jesus was not born on the 25th of December 2010 because the shepherds would not tend their flock in the cold winter of December
*It is not just about Christmas parties but to remember that Jesus Christ was born
*His perfect incarnation is the most significant symbol of humility
*Phillipians 2:5: The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.
*Thus we are called to immitate the attitude of humility
*To walk the higher road, we need humility
*Humility is about our nature, the thoughts we think
*Phillipians 2:6: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to become equal with God.
*Phillipians 2:3: Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.
(Consider others better than yourselves)-hardest to obey
*It is difficult to just believe, or having a child like faith
*To be humble, we should not put ourselves higher than we ought to be but to esteem others
2nd mark of humility
*Jesus thought of others instead of himself
*Phillipians 2:4: And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.
*In everything we do, we have to consider serving the interest of others
*Only by serving others can we learn to esteem others better than ourselves
3rd mark of humility
Jesus humbled himself to the point of death
*Phillipians 2:8: He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death- his death on the cross.
*Humility and submission goes hand in hand
*Jesus endured to the very end
*We need to put aside jealousy and envy
*Romans 12:9-16: Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow-Christians, and open your homes to strangers.
Ask God to bless those who persecute you- yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.
*To subject ourselves to one another
*Christmas is also about Christ humility
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Verse of the Day
"And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learnt to be satisfied with what I have."
Philippians 4:11
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Philippians 4:11
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, January 17, 2011
2 January 2010
* We sing, we pray and we share
*We sing for affirmation
*In our quietest heart, we should remind ourselves that God is here
*Appreciate and enjoy the word of God
*Many would not receive the word including His own people
*Isaiah 60:1: Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun; The glory of the Lord is shining on you!
*Ephesians 3:6: The secret is that by means of the gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God's blessings; they are members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.
*The covenant is to affirm that God cares, struggles, and takes care of you in ways that can't be imagine and his love, faithfulness and mercy lies in us forever. Thus, we should be thankful.
*God's will is not dependent on what we can do but use the authorities and rulers to change and bring light to the world. Thus, never fail praying for the nation for peace, love and joy.
*May the star of Bethlehem shine in your heart always.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
* We sing, we pray and we share
*We sing for affirmation
*In our quietest heart, we should remind ourselves that God is here
*Appreciate and enjoy the word of God
*Many would not receive the word including His own people
*Isaiah 60:1: Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun; The glory of the Lord is shining on you!
*Ephesians 3:6: The secret is that by means of the gospel the Gentiles have a part with the Jews in God's blessings; they are members of the same body and share in the promise that God made through Christ Jesus.
*The covenant is to affirm that God cares, struggles, and takes care of you in ways that can't be imagine and his love, faithfulness and mercy lies in us forever. Thus, we should be thankful.
*God's will is not dependent on what we can do but use the authorities and rulers to change and bring light to the world. Thus, never fail praying for the nation for peace, love and joy.
*May the star of Bethlehem shine in your heart always.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Best Christmas of all- Immanuel, God With Us
Matthew 1: 18-25: This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus- because he will save his people from their sins."
Now all this happened in order to make what the Lord had said through the prophet come true, "A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel" (which means, "God is with us").
So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to do. But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus.
25.12.2010
Preposition:
1. His Presence Makes Us Glad
2. His Presence Makes Us Bold
3. His Presence Makes Us On Guard
*There is something about His Presence which makes us fall
*Matthew 1:20: While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.
*Remember whose name you bear
*The presence of God in Jesus Christ makes us glad as we come to know our self and our savior!
*The word 'glad' has to do with joy rather than happiness that lasts for a moment
2. To conquer our emotion
*To commit to our devotion
*Joseph believed and committed to fulfill his devotion
*He was full of faith and diligence and had no fear of losing success in His marriage with Mary
*We do not know what is the will of God but when we live and desern the will of God, He would lead the way.
*He loves you and will not forsake you
3. Obey the word of God. Joseph found the safest guidelines for life in the word of God
*Offer yourself to the will of God. Joseph found the safest refuge in the will of God.
*1 Corinthians 10:12: Whoever thinks he is standing firm had better be careful that he does not fall.
*We must be on guard.
*1 Peter 5:8: Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
(Danger of roaring lion devouring us)
Conclusion
*We are suppose to bring the light into darkness
*We love to have parties but only in the birth of Jesus Christ can we find real joy from all the calamities of the world.
*Our hope and destiny is in Jesus Christ!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Now all this happened in order to make what the Lord had said through the prophet come true, "A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel" (which means, "God is with us").
So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to do. But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus.
25.12.2010
Preposition:
1. His Presence Makes Us Glad
2. His Presence Makes Us Bold
3. His Presence Makes Us On Guard
*There is something about His Presence which makes us fall
*Matthew 1:20: While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.
*Remember whose name you bear
*The presence of God in Jesus Christ makes us glad as we come to know our self and our savior!
*The word 'glad' has to do with joy rather than happiness that lasts for a moment
2. To conquer our emotion
*To commit to our devotion
*Joseph believed and committed to fulfill his devotion
*He was full of faith and diligence and had no fear of losing success in His marriage with Mary
*We do not know what is the will of God but when we live and desern the will of God, He would lead the way.
*He loves you and will not forsake you
3. Obey the word of God. Joseph found the safest guidelines for life in the word of God
*Offer yourself to the will of God. Joseph found the safest refuge in the will of God.
*1 Corinthians 10:12: Whoever thinks he is standing firm had better be careful that he does not fall.
*We must be on guard.
*1 Peter 5:8: Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
(Danger of roaring lion devouring us)
Conclusion
*We are suppose to bring the light into darkness
*We love to have parties but only in the birth of Jesus Christ can we find real joy from all the calamities of the world.
*Our hope and destiny is in Jesus Christ!
"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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