"Adversity is the Diamond, Dust Heaven Polishes Its Jewels With"
so that we can shine further with God.
Psalm 130
A Prayer for Help
From the depths of my despair
I call to you, Lord.
Hear my cry, O Lord;
listen to my call for help!
If you ket a record of our sins,
who could escape being condemned?
But you forgive us,
so that we should stand in awe of you.
I wait eagerly for the Lord's help,
and in his word I trust.
I wait for the Lord
more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn
than watchmen wait for the dawn.
Israel, trust in the Lord,
because his love is constant
and he is always willing to save.
He will save hi people Israel from all their sins.
*Many are hurting but they don't know who to turn to
*We must have the gut to cry out to God at the rock bottom
*Bible says "God hears their cry"
1. Crying out to God (vs 1-2)
*v1 : From the depths of my despair,I call to you, Lord.
- a cry of desperation "Out of the depths"
*take a way self- pride
*"The depth" in Hebrew refers to the depths of the sea, the watery chaos in life"
Shortet verse. "Jesus wept" (John 11:32-38)
*He didn't cry once, he cried many times
*Real pray begins when desperation sets in
*What does God want from us more than anything else?
*You are close to him
*Love the Lord, Love your neighbour
vs 2 : Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help!
- A cry of doubt "Hear my voice"
*A christian must trust in a withdrawing God
Psalm 28:1 :
O Lord, my defender, I call to you.
Listen to my cry!
If you do not answer me,
I will be among those who go down
to the world of the dead
2. Recalling God's love (v3-4)
If you ket a record of our sins,
who could escape being condemned?
But you forgive us,
so that we should stand in awe of you.
*Worse panic-when we are disorientated
*God did not give up on us. We gave up on him
*Sin is fatal - "Who could stand"
*Sins of commission,
sins of omission
(we do nothing about it),
sins of presumption
(1. taking for granted the grace of God; 2. Do things that try God's patience; 3. We hear half truth and we make assumptions about that person)
*Good news! Forgiveness is available. It can never be exhausted
Romans 2:4 : Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent.
3. Longing for God's Presence (v5-6) - unfailing love
I wait eagerly for the Lord's help,
and in his word I trust.
I wait for the Lord
more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn
than watchmen wait for the dawn.
*We are always tempted to give up -don't!
Matthew 5:6: "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
*We would not value God's blessings if they always arrived at the instant we felt we need them
4. Share the blessing (v7-8)
Israel, trust in the Lord,
because his love is constant
and he is always willing to save.
He will save hi people Israel from all their sins.
*The writer is so joyful that he wants others to experience his joy
*There is no evidene that anything has changed in his circumstances yet
*God's love is abundant -
v7: "With the Lord, there is forgiveness"
v8: He will save hi people Israel from all their sins.
Conclusion
*When we learn the secret of how to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of a hard situation, then we know how to help someone else.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Worship
*Worship is a life orientation
*Worship is done to be aware of the presence of God
Romans 12:1 So then, my brothers, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrific to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.
*God created the world, he did everything first.
*It was by grace we worship him
*We give back, we respond to what he has done for us
*We are invited to enjoy God
*Everyone has a part to play in worship- scripture reading, sound technician, ushers
*We are all leader drawing response to God
*Everyone has to work together to be coherent.
*We play less so that other people can draw near to God
*To lead worship, we must first worship and come to the foot of the cross through God's grace
*Worship is consistent
*If we are not up leading or playing, we have to worship
*Do not care about the technicalities in what our or other people's styleof worship. We have to put that down.
*We come to know God better
*Be in our Father's embrace.
*We are called in the long obedience.
*When was the last time you worship and just enjoy God?
*It is very easy to do sound check, planning, doing activities that we leave our heart behind.
*If we don't engage our heart, doing will become a chore and burn out occurs.
*Nothing can ever be separated from the grace of Christ.
*Doing duty with a passion we need to be converted to God, know God's ove, be instruments before we abroad in God's presence.
*We should spent time with God, awaiting for God's presence
John 15:1-5 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You ahve been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.
*He choses us to be his friends.
*In any spiritual state we are in, we should all worship God.
*Whatever the circumstances is he extends us to know that his presence is with us.
*If you have been enjoying God's presence, we should continue praising him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*Worship is done to be aware of the presence of God
Romans 12:1 So then, my brothers, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrific to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.
*God created the world, he did everything first.
*It was by grace we worship him
*We give back, we respond to what he has done for us
*We are invited to enjoy God
*Everyone has a part to play in worship- scripture reading, sound technician, ushers
*We are all leader drawing response to God
*Everyone has to work together to be coherent.
*We play less so that other people can draw near to God
*To lead worship, we must first worship and come to the foot of the cross through God's grace
*Worship is consistent
*If we are not up leading or playing, we have to worship
*Do not care about the technicalities in what our or other people's styleof worship. We have to put that down.
*We come to know God better
*Be in our Father's embrace.
*We are called in the long obedience.
*When was the last time you worship and just enjoy God?
*It is very easy to do sound check, planning, doing activities that we leave our heart behind.
*If we don't engage our heart, doing will become a chore and burn out occurs.
*Nothing can ever be separated from the grace of Christ.
*Doing duty with a passion we need to be converted to God, know God's ove, be instruments before we abroad in God's presence.
*We should spent time with God, awaiting for God's presence
John 15:1-5 "I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You ahve been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way, you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.
*He choses us to be his friends.
*In any spiritual state we are in, we should all worship God.
*Whatever the circumstances is he extends us to know that his presence is with us.
*If you have been enjoying God's presence, we should continue praising him.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Unlocking the 3 keys to Heavenly Rewards
Fast vs Feasting
*Fast on the bad things, feast on the good things
Season of Lent
*not only keys to spiritual discipline but having right keys to heavenly rewards
Matthew 6 - God gave us 3 keysto recieve heavenly rewards
3 keys to heavenly rewards.
1. Generous giving (6:1-4)
"Make certain ou do not perform your religious duties in publix so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven.
"So hen you give somethig to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses o worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that eve your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
*We give the right heart attitude, God rewards us
*What is giving?
-giving to the poor (Proverbs 19:17)
when you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back.
-giving tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10)
I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. 'How?' you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.
2. Powerful Praying (6:5-15)
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them, I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who i unseen. And your Father,m who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
"When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, ho think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven:
May your holy name be honoured;
may your Kingdom come;
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need.
Forgive us the wrongs we have done,
as we forgive the wrong that others have done o us.
Do not bring us to hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.'
"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done."
*Everyone knows how to pray but do not know powerful prayer
Revelation 3:20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him, and he will eat with me.
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them, I assure you, they have already been paid in full."
*Prayer is developing relationship with Jesus
*Lord's prayer begins with a person- "Our Father in Heaven..." - assuming us that God wants the best for you.
Praise -Hallowed be Thy Name
Priorities- Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Provision- Give us this day our daily bread
Pardon- And forgive us our trespassess as we forgive those who trespass against us
Protection- Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Praise- For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Big hindrances- unforgiveness
3. Faithful fasting (6:16-18)
"And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as th hypocrites do. They neglet their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid n full. When you do without food, wash your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are fasting --only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
*You can fast on food but food can move us away from everything else for an extended period of time.
*We are filled with so many small things of the world, fasting cleanse us from all that.
Conclusion
*lent- 40 days of prayer and fasting
*Lets seek God for revival and revival of the church
*The book of Isaiah revolves in these 3 keys of heavenly rewards
Isaiah 58:5-10 When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass, and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?
"The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.
"Then my favour will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.
"If you put an end to oppression, to every festure of contempt, and to every evil word; if you give food to the hungry and saisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
*Fast on the bad things, feast on the good things
Season of Lent
*not only keys to spiritual discipline but having right keys to heavenly rewards
Matthew 6 - God gave us 3 keysto recieve heavenly rewards
3 keys to heavenly rewards.
1. Generous giving (6:1-4)
"Make certain ou do not perform your religious duties in publix so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven.
"So hen you give somethig to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses o worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that eve your closest friend will not know about it. Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
*We give the right heart attitude, God rewards us
*What is giving?
-giving to the poor (Proverbs 19:17)
when you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back.
-giving tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-10)
I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. 'How?' you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.
2. Powerful Praying (6:5-15)
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them, I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who i unseen. And your Father,m who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
"When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, ho think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven:
May your holy name be honoured;
may your Kingdom come;
may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need.
Forgive us the wrongs we have done,
as we forgive the wrong that others have done o us.
Do not bring us to hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.'
"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done."
*Everyone knows how to pray but do not know powerful prayer
Revelation 3:20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him, and he will eat with me.
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them, I assure you, they have already been paid in full."
*Prayer is developing relationship with Jesus
*Lord's prayer begins with a person- "Our Father in Heaven..." - assuming us that God wants the best for you.
Praise -Hallowed be Thy Name
Priorities- Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Provision- Give us this day our daily bread
Pardon- And forgive us our trespassess as we forgive those who trespass against us
Protection- Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Praise- For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Big hindrances- unforgiveness
3. Faithful fasting (6:16-18)
"And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as th hypocrites do. They neglet their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid n full. When you do without food, wash your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are fasting --only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.
*You can fast on food but food can move us away from everything else for an extended period of time.
*We are filled with so many small things of the world, fasting cleanse us from all that.
Conclusion
*lent- 40 days of prayer and fasting
*Lets seek God for revival and revival of the church
*The book of Isaiah revolves in these 3 keys of heavenly rewards
Isaiah 58:5-10 When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass, and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?
"The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.
"Then my favour will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.
"If you put an end to oppression, to every festure of contempt, and to every evil word; if you give food to the hungry and saisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Total failure
'Against you only have I sinned.' Ask the Lord to show you your sin. Confess it and receive his forgiveness.
Mark 14:71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, 'I don't know this man you're talking about.'
In Peter's downfall we see echoes of our own. His journey from self-confidence and self-belief to true self-awareness is one we all take.
Peter had a flash of self-knowing when he first understood the power of Jesus
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw what happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, "Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!"
But over the years with Jesus, sharing in his ministry, his self-confidence ad self-belief had grown
Mark 14: 31 Peter answered even more strongly, "I willnevr say that, even if I have to die with you!"
Jesus had warned him
Mark 14:30 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell yo that before the cock crows twice tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me."
Mark 14:38 And he said to them, "Keep watch, and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
but Peter had not acted.
Mark 14:40 Then he came back to the disciples and found them asleep; they could not keep their eyes open, And they did not know what to say to him.
Are you and I vigilant and prayerful about our spiritual state?
Are we quick to act on the warnings the Lord gives us through his Word or by his Spirit through another Christian?
Maybe, like Peter we only remember when it s too late.
Mark 14:72 Just then a cock crowed a second time, and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will say three times that you do not know me." And he broke down and cried.
Realising that we have failed the Lord, especially when we have known him for a long time, cuts us to the core. Peter did not realise that his moral failure would be paid for in full by Jesus himself. We do know that Jesus went to the cross, willingly.
As weep for our sinful state, our tears should be mingled with tears of gratitude for all that he has done
Lord, forgive me for I am a bitterfull utterlly awful sinner in your eyes. In everything I do, I realise that it is you that brings out the person I am, it is you that I completes me. Without you, I am nothing but a speck of dust on the ground. You are my all and I surrender my whole self to you. Teach me, guide me and lead me everyday and every moment in my life and let me be a testimony to other people, to live a Christlike living in everything that I do. Amen.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Mark 14:71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, 'I don't know this man you're talking about.'
In Peter's downfall we see echoes of our own. His journey from self-confidence and self-belief to true self-awareness is one we all take.
Peter had a flash of self-knowing when he first understood the power of Jesus
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw what happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, "Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!"
But over the years with Jesus, sharing in his ministry, his self-confidence ad self-belief had grown
Mark 14: 31 Peter answered even more strongly, "I willnevr say that, even if I have to die with you!"
Jesus had warned him
Mark 14:30 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell yo that before the cock crows twice tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me."
Mark 14:38 And he said to them, "Keep watch, and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
but Peter had not acted.
Mark 14:40 Then he came back to the disciples and found them asleep; they could not keep their eyes open, And they did not know what to say to him.
Are you and I vigilant and prayerful about our spiritual state?
Are we quick to act on the warnings the Lord gives us through his Word or by his Spirit through another Christian?
Maybe, like Peter we only remember when it s too late.
Mark 14:72 Just then a cock crowed a second time, and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will say three times that you do not know me." And he broke down and cried.
Realising that we have failed the Lord, especially when we have known him for a long time, cuts us to the core. Peter did not realise that his moral failure would be paid for in full by Jesus himself. We do know that Jesus went to the cross, willingly.
As weep for our sinful state, our tears should be mingled with tears of gratitude for all that he has done
Lord, forgive me for I am a bitterfull utterlly awful sinner in your eyes. In everything I do, I realise that it is you that brings out the person I am, it is you that I completes me. Without you, I am nothing but a speck of dust on the ground. You are my all and I surrender my whole self to you. Teach me, guide me and lead me everyday and every moment in my life and let me be a testimony to other people, to live a Christlike living in everything that I do. Amen.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Your View of the Cross
Mark 15:1-20
Dato Daniel Tay
*Protestant symbolizes resurrection of Christ
*Protestant symbolized crucifixion of Christ with the body
You view of the Cross
1. From the lens of Pilate and Barabbas
*Sanhedrin had no power to sentence punishment
Mark 15 :
John 18 :
John 19:4 : Pilate went out once more and said to the crowd, "Look, I will bring him out here to you t let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him."
= Pilate
*Barabbas - hated by the Romans, loved by the Jews
- heard foodsteps and no meal - he thougt he was going to be crucified
- surprised being released "Get up and Get out"
*What was the view of Barabbas when he looked at the cross?
*Good luck charm maybe
*We should move away from symbolizing cross just like a telesmant as Barabbas did.
2. From the lens of the soldiers
*Whipped him - at the end, it had metal bids and shell - cut through flesh
*Growing numb inflicting pain, mock him because they were bored
*"Prophesy, who beat you?"
*Ordered Jesus to carry the cross
*Whipped him, asking to get up, but he cant
*Simon had to carry the cross for him
*Death on the cross. Bloody body put on horizontally. Water build up from bottom causing slow and horrendous death
Luke 23:26 : The soldiers let Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized hm, put the cross on him, and mad him carry it behind Jesus.
3.From the lens of Simn and the Centurion
*Simon - divided appointment to meet God
*Centurion -witness dignity of Lord and gave his spirit
*3pm. time of afternoon sacrifice was given- curtain separating the holy of holies was torn in two
- very significant = symbolizes that we do not have to go through the high priest but directly through Jesus Christ
*Bell rings while the high priest goes in with a rope tied to him. If the bell does not ring, the rope is pulled out together with the priest
*The Cross was a conviction to the Centurion
*Us? What does the Cross say about us?
*We need Jeus to ask him to forgive us
*We need to be like Simon of Cyrene = to serve him
*If Jesus Christ is my Lord, he HAS to be my Saviour
Conclusion
*Mary, Martha and Salome (Mother of James and John, Son of Zebedee) love Jesus
-brought spices to anoint the body
*Joseph of Arimathea love Jesus
-Gave his tomb to Jesus Christ
-Something valuable
-Prominent member of the Sanhedrin
-Sacred believer
-Feared Jesus
-He became bold =ask Pilate for the body of Jesus Christ
-as a result, loss of fear
*Do we love Jesus?
John 19:26 : Jesus saw him mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "He is your son."
"Dear Woman, here is your son,"
*Would we ever stop loving Jesus Christ, whether in good or bad times?
*Take a step, live out destiny, take up something, or leave - its a breakthrough for him
*A commitment to God
*We all need Jesus to die for us
*What is your view on the cross?
*Satan wants to break our relationships
*Jesus Christ paid with His life to redeem us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Dato Daniel Tay
*Protestant symbolizes resurrection of Christ
*Protestant symbolized crucifixion of Christ with the body
You view of the Cross
1. From the lens of Pilate and Barabbas
*Sanhedrin had no power to sentence punishment
Mark 15 :
John 18 :
John 19:4 : Pilate went out once more and said to the crowd, "Look, I will bring him out here to you t let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him."
= Pilate
*Barabbas - hated by the Romans, loved by the Jews
- heard foodsteps and no meal - he thougt he was going to be crucified
- surprised being released "Get up and Get out"
*What was the view of Barabbas when he looked at the cross?
*Good luck charm maybe
*We should move away from symbolizing cross just like a telesmant as Barabbas did.
2. From the lens of the soldiers
*Whipped him - at the end, it had metal bids and shell - cut through flesh
*Growing numb inflicting pain, mock him because they were bored
*"Prophesy, who beat you?"
*Ordered Jesus to carry the cross
*Whipped him, asking to get up, but he cant
*Simon had to carry the cross for him
*Death on the cross. Bloody body put on horizontally. Water build up from bottom causing slow and horrendous death
Luke 23:26 : The soldiers let Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized hm, put the cross on him, and mad him carry it behind Jesus.
3.From the lens of Simn and the Centurion
*Simon - divided appointment to meet God
*Centurion -witness dignity of Lord and gave his spirit
*3pm. time of afternoon sacrifice was given- curtain separating the holy of holies was torn in two
- very significant = symbolizes that we do not have to go through the high priest but directly through Jesus Christ
*Bell rings while the high priest goes in with a rope tied to him. If the bell does not ring, the rope is pulled out together with the priest
*The Cross was a conviction to the Centurion
*Us? What does the Cross say about us?
*We need Jeus to ask him to forgive us
*We need to be like Simon of Cyrene = to serve him
*If Jesus Christ is my Lord, he HAS to be my Saviour
Conclusion
*Mary, Martha and Salome (Mother of James and John, Son of Zebedee) love Jesus
-brought spices to anoint the body
*Joseph of Arimathea love Jesus
-Gave his tomb to Jesus Christ
-Something valuable
-Prominent member of the Sanhedrin
-Sacred believer
-Feared Jesus
-He became bold =ask Pilate for the body of Jesus Christ
-as a result, loss of fear
*Do we love Jesus?
John 19:26 : Jesus saw him mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "He is your son."
"Dear Woman, here is your son,"
*Would we ever stop loving Jesus Christ, whether in good or bad times?
*Take a step, live out destiny, take up something, or leave - its a breakthrough for him
*A commitment to God
*We all need Jesus to die for us
*What is your view on the cross?
*Satan wants to break our relationships
*Jesus Christ paid with His life to redeem us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
beautiful words
John 10: 11-15
"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he i only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am te good shephrd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father,in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them."
Will update more soon:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he i only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am te good shephrd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father,in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them."
Will update more soon:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Greetings and Thankfulness
Mr Khoo Cheok Kau
14/2/2010
Romans 16:1-16
: I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae. Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and giv her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me. I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in the service of Christ Jesus; they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them -not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. Greetings lso to the church that meets in their house.
Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first man in the province of Asia to believe in Christ. Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. Greetings also to Andronicus and Junias, fellow-Jews who ere in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.
My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord. Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend. Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulu. Greetings to Herodion, a fellow-Jew, and to the Christian brothers in the family of Narcissus.
My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord. I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, ho has always treated me like a son. My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christian brothers with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.
Greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
This passage in Romans-often just a glance as it is seen as a list of names
Paul's List of Appreciation
* Paul concludes his letter by personally thanking 5 households and 27 individuals, 9 of whome are ladies.
* Paul sends his warm appreciation by way of greetings - "Greet" someone 19 times.
* Give generous thanks to others.
* He describes in 14 instances exactly WHY he appreciates the person.
Paul's Greetings and Commendation for Phoebe (vs1-2)
* Greet means literally to be fond of, to cherish, to be devoted to, to be deeply welcoming.
* Phoebe = "radiant or bright" - She is an active worker in the Christian congregation at Cenchrea Greece
*Cenchrea is 1 of the 2 seaports of Corinth
*Some people don't greet because we get no reaction to it
Reflection:
* Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work.
*God knows but he wants us to say thank you to Him
Takeaway Message:
*Welcome God's servants; Welcome and help believers from other churches; Welcome everyone irrespective of background.
v2 Recieve her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
*Paul's Request : Paul ask Romans to recieve Phoebe- help her, connect with her.
Paul's Greetings for Priscilla and Aquila (v3)
* Priscilla - a Jew with a Greek name; Aquila- Latin name for eagle.
*Both husband and wife came from Italy as Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome
(Acts 18:1-2)- After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for the Emperor Claudius ahd ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.
*Both Priscilla and Aquila did not leave their Christianity behind when they move, whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome.
Reflection:
*Do you keep growing in your Christian faith when you move away from home?
Paul's Commendation for Priscilla and Aquila (v4) - Paul's Appreciation
*Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul (v4) - Probably at Ephesus
*Both instructed Apollos
(Acts 18:26) - He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God.
Rahab
*Rahab risked her life by hiding the 2 spies sent by
*Joshua before the fall the boom
Corrie Ten Boom
*Safe a lot of Jews from the Nazis
-provided food, collect food strands, risked her life
*Is there someone of who you have taken advantage of ?
Thanks to God 1st -
1 Chronicles 17:16 - The King of David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you ahve already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.
Develop habit of thankfulness -
Philippians 4:6- Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
*Continue to serve the Lord eventhough nobody says thanks
Reflection:
* The day may come when we are persecuted for Christ. Will you be willing to risk your life to save other believers?
*Greet many who worked very hard for you
Paul's Appreciation for Mary and Others who Laboured much (v6, 12):
* Greek term "laboured" = worked hard and toiled laboriously even to the point of weariness and exhaustion
*Labouriously - meaning of work hard -Tryphene, Tryphosa and Persis (Also worked hard)
Reflection:
*Are we working hard for the Lord?
*We forget those who contribute to the ministry
*Paul comments publicly, acknowledging many
*Always be people who honor and acknowledge others
Epilogue:
*Whate you do in secular employment is important paying the bills and providing a service, but it will be forgotten before long. What you do for Jesus will be remembered by the Lord.
Application:
*Send them a note of thanks and greetings as Paul does.
*Try to remember everyone who has ever done anything to bring you nearer to Christ.
Memory Verse:
Amos 8:7 : "Surely I will never forget any of their works."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
14/2/2010
Romans 16:1-16
: I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae. Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and giv her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me. I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in the service of Christ Jesus; they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them -not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. Greetings lso to the church that meets in their house.
Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first man in the province of Asia to believe in Christ. Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. Greetings also to Andronicus and Junias, fellow-Jews who ere in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.
My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord. Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend. Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulu. Greetings to Herodion, a fellow-Jew, and to the Christian brothers in the family of Narcissus.
My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord. I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, ho has always treated me like a son. My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christian brothers with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.
Greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
This passage in Romans-often just a glance as it is seen as a list of names
Paul's List of Appreciation
* Paul concludes his letter by personally thanking 5 households and 27 individuals, 9 of whome are ladies.
* Paul sends his warm appreciation by way of greetings - "Greet" someone 19 times.
* Give generous thanks to others.
* He describes in 14 instances exactly WHY he appreciates the person.
Paul's Greetings and Commendation for Phoebe (vs1-2)
* Greet means literally to be fond of, to cherish, to be devoted to, to be deeply welcoming.
* Phoebe = "radiant or bright" - She is an active worker in the Christian congregation at Cenchrea Greece
*Cenchrea is 1 of the 2 seaports of Corinth
*Some people don't greet because we get no reaction to it
Reflection:
* Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work.
*God knows but he wants us to say thank you to Him
Takeaway Message:
*Welcome God's servants; Welcome and help believers from other churches; Welcome everyone irrespective of background.
v2 Recieve her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
*Paul's Request : Paul ask Romans to recieve Phoebe- help her, connect with her.
Paul's Greetings for Priscilla and Aquila (v3)
* Priscilla - a Jew with a Greek name; Aquila- Latin name for eagle.
*Both husband and wife came from Italy as Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome
(Acts 18:1-2)- After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for the Emperor Claudius ahd ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.
*Both Priscilla and Aquila did not leave their Christianity behind when they move, whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome.
Reflection:
*Do you keep growing in your Christian faith when you move away from home?
Paul's Commendation for Priscilla and Aquila (v4) - Paul's Appreciation
*Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul (v4) - Probably at Ephesus
*Both instructed Apollos
(Acts 18:26) - He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God.
Rahab
*Rahab risked her life by hiding the 2 spies sent by
*Joshua before the fall the boom
Corrie Ten Boom
*Safe a lot of Jews from the Nazis
-provided food, collect food strands, risked her life
*Is there someone of who you have taken advantage of ?
Thanks to God 1st -
1 Chronicles 17:16 - The King of David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you ahve already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.
Develop habit of thankfulness -
Philippians 4:6- Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
*Continue to serve the Lord eventhough nobody says thanks
Reflection:
* The day may come when we are persecuted for Christ. Will you be willing to risk your life to save other believers?
*Greet many who worked very hard for you
Paul's Appreciation for Mary and Others who Laboured much (v6, 12):
* Greek term "laboured" = worked hard and toiled laboriously even to the point of weariness and exhaustion
*Labouriously - meaning of work hard -Tryphene, Tryphosa and Persis (Also worked hard)
Reflection:
*Are we working hard for the Lord?
*We forget those who contribute to the ministry
*Paul comments publicly, acknowledging many
*Always be people who honor and acknowledge others
Epilogue:
*Whate you do in secular employment is important paying the bills and providing a service, but it will be forgotten before long. What you do for Jesus will be remembered by the Lord.
Application:
*Send them a note of thanks and greetings as Paul does.
*Try to remember everyone who has ever done anything to bring you nearer to Christ.
Memory Verse:
Amos 8:7 : "Surely I will never forget any of their works."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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