Pastor Andrew Lim
2nd May 2010
Romans 6:1-14: What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God's grace will increase? Certainly not! We have died to sin - how then can we go on living in it? For surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.
For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on his cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin. For when a person dies, he is set free from the power of sin. Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that Christ has been raised from death and will never die again - death will no longer rule over him. And so, because he died, sin has no power over him and now he lives his life in fellowship with God. In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead, so far as sin is concered, but living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus.
Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so that you obey the desires of your natural self. Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.
*Sinful habits
- a particular area that we fall after repenting over and over again
- most destrucive in the person's mind
Colossians 3:6-9: Because of such things God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. At one time you yourselves used to lie according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.
But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. Do not lie to one another, for you have taken off the old self with its habits.
eg: anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, envy
Why is sin bad?
1. Destructive- prevent the blessings of God from coming in
Proverbs 28:13: You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; the God will show mercy to you.
2. Separate us from God's presence is difficult
-find something missing when doing quiet time, reading the Bible with difficulty
3. Brings condemnation
-not sin but condemnation that brings us down
-the lies of the enemy to trample- cannot rise up against the sin
4. Quenches the joy of the Spirit
Psalm 51:11: Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me.
Ephesians 4:29-32: Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.
Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.
"Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God"
5. Risk losing the joy of salvation
-if we continue to live in the bondages of our lives
-It becomes part of our character/personality that it becomes impossible to break through
eg: gossiping, envy, hatred
-cannot stand (envy) seeing people more beautiful that yourself
John 8:36: If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.
Romans 8:2: For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free form the law of sin and death.
-no longer bound by sin
-don't let our sinful habits control our lives
-fight against the carnal man
-we read all the motivational, self help books but those cant help us if our spirit man is dead
1 Corinthians 10: 1-13: I want yu to remember, my bothers, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. All ate the same spiritual bread and drank the same spiritual drin. They drank from the Spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. But even then God was not pleased ith most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert.
-(let those who think he does not sin..)
-every temptation has a way out
James 1:12-15: Happy is the person who remains faithful under trials, because when he suceeds in passing such a test, he will receive as his reward the life which God has promised to those who love him. If a person is tempted by such trials, he must not say, "This temptation comes from God." For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But a person is tempted when he is drawned away and trapped by his own evil desire. Then his evil desire conceives and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
-It is the mind that temptation comes
-we entertain our thoughts until we fall into temptation
One day a man had a very clever mongkey. He had to go for a long trip so he told the mongkey that he could do anything except never to eat the banana from the banana tree. So while he was clearing the man's house, he stopped to look at the banana tree.
He said to himself, "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not eat the banana."
So he saw the banana.
Then he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not go nearer to see the banana tree."
So he went nearer to the banana.
Then he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not climb the banana tree."
So he climbed the banana tree.
Then he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not hold the banana."
So he held the banana.
Then he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not smell the banana."
So he smelt the banana.
Again he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not pluck the banana."
So he plucked the banana.
Then he thought to himself again "My master told me not to eat the banana but he did not say i could not lick the banana."
The moment he licked the banana, he ate it.
This is how temptation can be.
*You might want to forgive that person who hurt you but when you begin thinking about the pain he or she caused you, you change your mind.
*We try and resist temptation when we are on the way to temptation
*That is not the way. Instead, we should try and resist while it is a thought in our minds
*How does he stop while temptation is still a thought
*Jesus getting tempted in 40 days
Luke 4:1-13: Jesus returned from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the desert,where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days.In all that time he ate nothing, so that he was hungry when it was over.
The Devil said to him, "If you are God's Son, order this stone to turn into bread."
But Jesus answred, "The scripture says, 'Man cannot live on bread alone.'"
Then the Devil took him up and showed him in a second all the kingdoms of the world "I will give you all this power and all this wealth, " the Devil told him. "It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. All this will be yours, then, if you worship me."
Jesus answered, "The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!'"
Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem and set him on the highest point of the Temple, and said to him, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down from here. For the scripture says, 'God will order his angels to take good care of you, ' It also says, 'They will hold you up with their hands so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.'"
But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test, '"
When the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left him for a while.
*In that story, Jesus immediately responded, he didn't think
Deuteronomy 8:3: He made you go hungry, and then he gave you manna to eat, food that you and your ancestors had never eaten before. He did this to teach you that man does not depend on bread alone to sustain him, but on everything that the Lord says.
Deuteronomy 6:16: "Do not put the Lord your Go to the test, as you did at Massah."
Deuteronomy 10:20: Obey the Lord your God and worship only him. Be faithful to him and make your promises in his name alone.
Ephesians 6:16: At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.
*Faith comes by the word of God
*When our minds are filled with the word of God, we won't be tempted easily
*Every waking moment your mind is filled with the word of God if you keep reading the word of God. Then, you will not fall so easily into temptation
James 4:7: So then, submit to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you.
*THE CHOICE IS OURS
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
"Best Friends Forever?"
Rev Ricky Ho
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly"
Make friends
* Many can have a big social network, some not so big
*Some of us still got Childhood friends that are still with us until today
*For others golf colleagues who spend a lot of time together
*Nowadays, we also have cyber friends who uses the cyber language - "BFF"
Mark 2: 1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home. So many people came together that there was no room left, not even out in front of the door. Jesus was preaching the message to them when four men arrived, carrying a paralysed man to Jesus. Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him. So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat.
Seeing how much faith they had, Jesus said to the paralysed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven."
Some teachers of the Law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "How does he dare to talk like this? This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!"
At once Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, "Why do you think such things? Is it easier to say to this paralysed man, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Get up, pick up your man, and walk'? I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralysed man, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely amazed and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Someone said,
"I went out to find a friend, but could not find one there,
I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere.
*Anytime we are quick to meet or help others, we will make some friends.
*You can become interested in people in 2 months but you have to make people interested in you in 2 years.
*One sure way of not making friends is by not listening to people or not paying attention to them.
*Listening is not one of our better traits, but it should be our habit.
2. Keeping Friends
Proverbs 27:10: "Do not forsake your friend and your friend of your Father."
Real Friend- "One who walks in when the rest f the world walks out"
Mark 2:1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
*Did you ever have a sponge for a friend?
One person that never walks out on you is none other than JESUS CHRIST!
*He will never leave nor forsake you and then you can see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially in times of trouble)
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
*The only time they ever came around was when they want something
Ecclesiastes 4:10: If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, its just too bad, because there is no one to help him.
*If you minister to the person in need, you will have a bond that will last forever
*When your friend is in need and you do not lend a hand, do not think your friend will lend a hand to you
Ways to keep Friends
1. Loyalty
2. Warmth/Affection
3. Loving, faithful and supportive
*Jesus befriend but did not compromise
*Jesus talking to a Samaritan women -He broke the barrier to influence her to God
*In all levels of society despite races and sex, disabilities, we must befriend them all
*Many times we choose our friends
3. Influencing Friends
*Jesus was a friend to sinners
*He was a friend to all people
*We also make friends by association
*If we want the church to grow, we must have some friends outside church with whom we associate and hopefully influence in a positive way
*We cannot write "BFF" if we do not bring them to Jesus Christ, we can only write "BF"
Conclusion
*Jesus is the Bestest Friend we can ever find
*He done more for us than anyone and he will walk with us and by us as we travel toward eternity.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly"
Make friends
* Many can have a big social network, some not so big
*Some of us still got Childhood friends that are still with us until today
*For others golf colleagues who spend a lot of time together
*Nowadays, we also have cyber friends who uses the cyber language - "BFF"
Mark 2: 1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home. So many people came together that there was no room left, not even out in front of the door. Jesus was preaching the message to them when four men arrived, carrying a paralysed man to Jesus. Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him. So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat.
Seeing how much faith they had, Jesus said to the paralysed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven."
Some teachers of the Law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "How does he dare to talk like this? This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!"
At once Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, "Why do you think such things? Is it easier to say to this paralysed man, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Get up, pick up your man, and walk'? I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralysed man, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely amazed and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Someone said,
"I went out to find a friend, but could not find one there,
I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere.
*Anytime we are quick to meet or help others, we will make some friends.
*You can become interested in people in 2 months but you have to make people interested in you in 2 years.
*One sure way of not making friends is by not listening to people or not paying attention to them.
*Listening is not one of our better traits, but it should be our habit.
2. Keeping Friends
Proverbs 27:10: "Do not forsake your friend and your friend of your Father."
Real Friend- "One who walks in when the rest f the world walks out"
Mark 2:1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
*Did you ever have a sponge for a friend?
One person that never walks out on you is none other than JESUS CHRIST!
*He will never leave nor forsake you and then you can see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially in times of trouble)
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
*The only time they ever came around was when they want something
Ecclesiastes 4:10: If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, its just too bad, because there is no one to help him.
*If you minister to the person in need, you will have a bond that will last forever
*When your friend is in need and you do not lend a hand, do not think your friend will lend a hand to you
Ways to keep Friends
1. Loyalty
2. Warmth/Affection
3. Loving, faithful and supportive
*Jesus befriend but did not compromise
*Jesus talking to a Samaritan women -He broke the barrier to influence her to God
*In all levels of society despite races and sex, disabilities, we must befriend them all
*Many times we choose our friends
3. Influencing Friends
*Jesus was a friend to sinners
*He was a friend to all people
*We also make friends by association
*If we want the church to grow, we must have some friends outside church with whom we associate and hopefully influence in a positive way
*We cannot write "BFF" if we do not bring them to Jesus Christ, we can only write "BF"
Conclusion
*Jesus is the Bestest Friend we can ever find
*He done more for us than anyone and he will walk with us and by us as we travel toward eternity.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, April 23, 2010
Battle of the Wills!
Pastor Andrew Lim
Romans 7:17-25 So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. I know that good does not live in me- that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.
So I find that this law is at work; when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body- a law tha fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is a work in my body. What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ!
This then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.
*We will experience such struggle in our lives
*desire for us to enjoy sin
*before, during and after we know we are not suppose to sin
*eg: lying, gossiping, lust, adultery
*spirit man and the old self
John 3:6 A person is born physically of human parents, but he is born spiritually of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human natue wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 As you meet together (the body and the Spirit), and I meet with you in my spirit,by the power of our Lord Jesus present with us, you are to hand this man over to Satan for his body to be destroyed, so that his spirit may be saved in he Day of the Lord
Galatians 3:3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?
Galatians 5:16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.
*influences our mind to do actions, war for control of our mind
1 John 2 - Christ our Helper
*lust of flesh, eyes and pride
*depends who is in control
*mind completely in tune with Spirit-man should be adhered
*how we react with situation, deal with temptation depends on how strong the spirit man is
*the way we live our lives- starving spirit man and obese carnal man
*When we face temptation, our carnal man will overpower us
*Strong defense
-strengthening the Spirit man- stronger than the carnal man
Ephesians 3:16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves.
Romans 10:17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
*Faith makes our spirit man strong
*Know the word of God can we counteract the lies of carnal ma
eg: "You are worthless in the eyes of God but knowing the Word of God reassures that God died for me and he will always be happy for me."
*Offense
*Making the carnal man weaker
*Cut off the enemies supply
*What are the things that you can supply- self help, books, political views that strenghten your carnal man but may cost your entertainment. It is a price that you must pay
*Abstinence - restraining
eg: fasting- giving up food- making the carnal man weaker, denying the flesh, cravings.
fidelity - giving up spending
silence- giving up talking
solitude- giving up company of people
chastity- giving up sexual intercourse
*Do not let the lies of the enemy say you cannot fast. Your spirit man is stronger then. You can hear God better. Fast with prayer
Conclusion
Galatians 6:7-8 Do not decieve yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A person will reap exactly what he sows. If he sows in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he sows in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life.
Romans 8:7-8 And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature; for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it. Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Romans 7:17-25 So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. I know that good does not live in me- that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.
So I find that this law is at work; when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. My inner being delights in the law of God. But I see a different law at work in my body- a law tha fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is a work in my body. What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ!
This then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.
*We will experience such struggle in our lives
*desire for us to enjoy sin
*before, during and after we know we are not suppose to sin
*eg: lying, gossiping, lust, adultery
*spirit man and the old self
John 3:6 A person is born physically of human parents, but he is born spiritually of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human natue wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 As you meet together (the body and the Spirit), and I meet with you in my spirit,by the power of our Lord Jesus present with us, you are to hand this man over to Satan for his body to be destroyed, so that his spirit may be saved in he Day of the Lord
Galatians 3:3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?
Galatians 5:16 What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.
*influences our mind to do actions, war for control of our mind
1 John 2 - Christ our Helper
*lust of flesh, eyes and pride
*depends who is in control
*mind completely in tune with Spirit-man should be adhered
*how we react with situation, deal with temptation depends on how strong the spirit man is
*the way we live our lives- starving spirit man and obese carnal man
*When we face temptation, our carnal man will overpower us
*Strong defense
-strengthening the Spirit man- stronger than the carnal man
Ephesians 3:16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves.
Romans 10:17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
*Faith makes our spirit man strong
*Know the word of God can we counteract the lies of carnal ma
eg: "You are worthless in the eyes of God but knowing the Word of God reassures that God died for me and he will always be happy for me."
*Offense
*Making the carnal man weaker
*Cut off the enemies supply
*What are the things that you can supply- self help, books, political views that strenghten your carnal man but may cost your entertainment. It is a price that you must pay
*Abstinence - restraining
eg: fasting- giving up food- making the carnal man weaker, denying the flesh, cravings.
fidelity - giving up spending
silence- giving up talking
solitude- giving up company of people
chastity- giving up sexual intercourse
*Do not let the lies of the enemy say you cannot fast. Your spirit man is stronger then. You can hear God better. Fast with prayer
Conclusion
Galatians 6:7-8 Do not decieve yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A person will reap exactly what he sows. If he sows in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he sows in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life.
Romans 8:7-8 And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature; for he does not obey God's law, and in fact he cannot obey it. Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Loyal Soldier of Christ Jesus
This is a true saying:
"If we die with him,
we shall also live with him.
If we continue to endure,
we shall also rule with him.
If we deny him,
he also will deny us.
If we are not faithful,
he remains faithful,
because he cannot be false to himself."
2 Timothy 2:11-13
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"If we die with him,
we shall also live with him.
If we continue to endure,
we shall also rule with him.
If we deny him,
he also will deny us.
If we are not faithful,
he remains faithful,
because he cannot be false to himself."
2 Timothy 2:11-13
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Will Six do when God says Seven?
Rev Ricky Ho
11.4.2010
2 Kings 5:1-14: Naaman, the cmmander of the Syrian army, wa highly respected and esteemed by the king of Syria, because through Naaman the Lod had given victory to the Syrian forces. He was a great soldier, but he suffered from a dreaded skin-disease. In one of their raids against Israel, the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl, who became a servant of Naaman's wife. One day she said to her mistress, "I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure himof his disease. When Naaman heard of this, he went to the king and told him what the girl had said. The King said, "Go to the King of Israel and take this letter to him."
So Naaman set out, taking thirty thousand pieces of silver, six thousand piees of gold, and ten changes of fine clothes. The letter that he took read: "This letter will introduce my officer Naaman. I want you to cure him of his disease."
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay nd exclaimed, "How can the King of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It's plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me!"
When the prophet Elisha heard what had happened, he sent word to the king : "Why are you so upset? Send the man to me, and I'll show him that there is a prophe in Israel!"
So Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's house. Elisha sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the River Jordan, and he would be completely cured of his disease. But Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the Lord his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!"
His servants went up to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?" So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy, like that of a child.
*80% commitment is no commitment at all
*Oversmart
- we try and check God out
- often we miss out what God want to do with us
* 7 illustrates completeness
*Henry Blackaby said experiencing God is seeing where God is at work and joining him in that work
*God is at work in your life, to grow each more of the day
*too often we miss experiencing God
*When you come to church you,
1. You are prepared to worship God
2. God is working in your life
It is a process- santification
*God is also at work in your family life
*Naaman was powerful but had leprosy- his slave girl wanted the best for her master
2 Principles
1. God's ways are not man's ways
*God does not use perfect man - weaknessess are exposed when you are imperfect
*He uses a FAT man too
Faithful
Available
Teachable
*Common problem is a problem of pride- Naaman called Elisha but Elisha sent a messenger -Naaman was furious because of his pride
*We fall short for the glory of God
*While man expect fanfare and enter, God simply shows himself and works in his own way and in his own time
*Sometimes the ways of God seems foolish to men
*Men do not understand heavenly things
*We will have our own plans but God knows best
*Come to God with great expectation because he wants the best for you, Just realise that God is working in your life
2. God's ways require complete obedience
*Naaman would have missed God if he had not walked in full obedience
*Many times we're willing to obey God as far as it makes sense to us. As long as its convenient, as long as its comfortable
*Naaman was a finisher.
*God's ways can sometimes affect your emotions, pride
*If he sent the slave girl to death and did not wash himself at the rive Jordan 7 times, he would have missed the blessing
*Naaman took off his gown, armour that represent as the Great Syrian commander
*He took out his undergarment in the middle of his subjects and soldiers. He was exposed
*Naaman understood commitment -He washed himself 7 times
*There are men and women committed to their work
*We cannot expect to experience God if we are not willing to obey God
*We cannot experience God when we have bitterness and unforgiveness, talking and fighting
*Faith requires obedience
Conclusion
*It was foolishness to the world but goodness to God - the crucifixion
*What is it that we are missing out because we refuse to walk in obedience?
*God will not make a heart whole that is not wholly his
*Do what he wants to do, there is no shortcut to the power of God
* 7 is 7, 6 is not enough.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
11.4.2010
2 Kings 5:1-14: Naaman, the cmmander of the Syrian army, wa highly respected and esteemed by the king of Syria, because through Naaman the Lod had given victory to the Syrian forces. He was a great soldier, but he suffered from a dreaded skin-disease. In one of their raids against Israel, the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl, who became a servant of Naaman's wife. One day she said to her mistress, "I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure himof his disease. When Naaman heard of this, he went to the king and told him what the girl had said. The King said, "Go to the King of Israel and take this letter to him."
So Naaman set out, taking thirty thousand pieces of silver, six thousand piees of gold, and ten changes of fine clothes. The letter that he took read: "This letter will introduce my officer Naaman. I want you to cure him of his disease."
When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay nd exclaimed, "How can the King of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It's plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me!"
When the prophet Elisha heard what had happened, he sent word to the king : "Why are you so upset? Send the man to me, and I'll show him that there is a prophe in Israel!"
So Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's house. Elisha sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the River Jordan, and he would be completely cured of his disease. But Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the Lord his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me! Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!"
His servants went up to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?" So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy, like that of a child.
*80% commitment is no commitment at all
*Oversmart
- we try and check God out
- often we miss out what God want to do with us
* 7 illustrates completeness
*Henry Blackaby said experiencing God is seeing where God is at work and joining him in that work
*God is at work in your life, to grow each more of the day
*too often we miss experiencing God
*When you come to church you,
1. You are prepared to worship God
2. God is working in your life
It is a process- santification
*God is also at work in your family life
*Naaman was powerful but had leprosy- his slave girl wanted the best for her master
2 Principles
1. God's ways are not man's ways
*God does not use perfect man - weaknessess are exposed when you are imperfect
*He uses a FAT man too
Faithful
Available
Teachable
*Common problem is a problem of pride- Naaman called Elisha but Elisha sent a messenger -Naaman was furious because of his pride
*We fall short for the glory of God
*While man expect fanfare and enter, God simply shows himself and works in his own way and in his own time
*Sometimes the ways of God seems foolish to men
*Men do not understand heavenly things
*We will have our own plans but God knows best
*Come to God with great expectation because he wants the best for you, Just realise that God is working in your life
2. God's ways require complete obedience
*Naaman would have missed God if he had not walked in full obedience
*Many times we're willing to obey God as far as it makes sense to us. As long as its convenient, as long as its comfortable
*Naaman was a finisher.
*God's ways can sometimes affect your emotions, pride
*If he sent the slave girl to death and did not wash himself at the rive Jordan 7 times, he would have missed the blessing
*Naaman took off his gown, armour that represent as the Great Syrian commander
*He took out his undergarment in the middle of his subjects and soldiers. He was exposed
*Naaman understood commitment -He washed himself 7 times
*There are men and women committed to their work
*We cannot expect to experience God if we are not willing to obey God
*We cannot experience God when we have bitterness and unforgiveness, talking and fighting
*Faith requires obedience
Conclusion
*It was foolishness to the world but goodness to God - the crucifixion
*What is it that we are missing out because we refuse to walk in obedience?
*God will not make a heart whole that is not wholly his
*Do what he wants to do, there is no shortcut to the power of God
* 7 is 7, 6 is not enough.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Greatest Stone Movers
Rev Ricky Ho
Easter Sunday
4/4/10
Mark 16:3: And early in the morning you say, "It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark." You can predict the weather by looking at the sky but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times!
*The kiasu spirit
*we put hope in children, husband, but in the discipes, they put hope on Jesus but their hope was shattered when Jesus was crucified on the cross
*Some of us put hope in our business, but we fail. Children may put hope on parents and vice versa
*It takes many people to open the tomb as the tomb is inclined
*There are stones that hinder us from coming to God
*Someone who is able to roll the stone out of your way and give you freedom
5 stones he removed
1. Stones of discouragement
*No matter how spiritual we are, we will face challenges
*When certain dreams go unfulfilled or our hopes are shattered, it is discouraging, sometimes devastating
*Problems in career, pornography, relationships you can escape. Only God can help
*Maybe that stone represents your kiasu spirit
2. The Rock of fear (Kiasu)
*All the 12 disciples that were picked abandon Jesus Christ when he was crucified.
*They feared and hid behind close doors.
*Do you have a fear of rejection that keeps you from sharing your faith?
*Or a fear of intimacy that prevents you from having any meaningful relationship?
*Maybe a fear of failure that thwarts every attempt to try anything new
*Whatever challenges we meet, whatever obstacles we face, we do not have to be afraid because we are not alone
*Jesus is the healer. The Risen Christ removes the fear from us.
3. The Stone of Doubt
*Thomas was a skeptic, but he certainly wasn't the only person to doubt the Christian faith
*A good skeptic who finds the truth will know the right way
*There's nothing wrong to be skeptical as long as we get evidence along the way
4. The Stone of Defeat
*Peter failed Jesus when it counted the ost
*Do you know what's it like to fail?
*He was ready to quit
Compare
Matthew 4:19: Jesus said to them, Come with me, and I will teach you to catch men."
John 21:22: Jesus answered him, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!"
*Peter had a second chance
*We have a God of second chances, who rolls away the stone of defeat
5. The Stone of Death (Kiasi)
*Death is unescapable
*Everyone will finally encounter death
*Jesus conquered death through his resurrection and offers to do the same for you and me
*Eternal life, immorality.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Easter Sunday
4/4/10
Mark 16:3: And early in the morning you say, "It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark." You can predict the weather by looking at the sky but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times!
*The kiasu spirit
*we put hope in children, husband, but in the discipes, they put hope on Jesus but their hope was shattered when Jesus was crucified on the cross
*Some of us put hope in our business, but we fail. Children may put hope on parents and vice versa
*It takes many people to open the tomb as the tomb is inclined
*There are stones that hinder us from coming to God
*Someone who is able to roll the stone out of your way and give you freedom
5 stones he removed
1. Stones of discouragement
*No matter how spiritual we are, we will face challenges
*When certain dreams go unfulfilled or our hopes are shattered, it is discouraging, sometimes devastating
*Problems in career, pornography, relationships you can escape. Only God can help
*Maybe that stone represents your kiasu spirit
2. The Rock of fear (Kiasu)
*All the 12 disciples that were picked abandon Jesus Christ when he was crucified.
*They feared and hid behind close doors.
*Do you have a fear of rejection that keeps you from sharing your faith?
*Or a fear of intimacy that prevents you from having any meaningful relationship?
*Maybe a fear of failure that thwarts every attempt to try anything new
*Whatever challenges we meet, whatever obstacles we face, we do not have to be afraid because we are not alone
*Jesus is the healer. The Risen Christ removes the fear from us.
3. The Stone of Doubt
*Thomas was a skeptic, but he certainly wasn't the only person to doubt the Christian faith
*A good skeptic who finds the truth will know the right way
*There's nothing wrong to be skeptical as long as we get evidence along the way
4. The Stone of Defeat
*Peter failed Jesus when it counted the ost
*Do you know what's it like to fail?
*He was ready to quit
Compare
Matthew 4:19: Jesus said to them, Come with me, and I will teach you to catch men."
John 21:22: Jesus answered him, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!"
*Peter had a second chance
*We have a God of second chances, who rolls away the stone of defeat
5. The Stone of Death (Kiasi)
*Death is unescapable
*Everyone will finally encounter death
*Jesus conquered death through his resurrection and offers to do the same for you and me
*Eternal life, immorality.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, April 9, 2010
Trampling Christ Under Foot
Hebrews 10:26-29: For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us. Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgement and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God! Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty on the evidence of two or more witnesses. What, then, of the person who despises the Son of God? who treats as a cheap thing the blood of god's covenant which purified him from sin? who insults the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment he will deserve!
Pastor Andrew Lim
*God gave a part to himself
*3 in one are together in unity
*Cut apart and gave it to us -his magnitude of Christ
*God gave us eventhough we did not ask, eventhough we are sinners
*He was not only read to die for us but he gave everything including the glory of heaven
*We need God to show us the way to live
*He did not come from a rich family but worse than an average man
*He came to earth crying and screaming like any of us
*He, the powerful God who created the universe
*was subjected to a 15 year old girl - Mary
*allowed himself to be in that condition because he loves us
*Whatever problems you encounter, God knows -He lived in poverty, having enemies, and parents gave up on him because they think he was crazy.
*The pain, the suffering both emotional and psychological- He sweat drops of blood
*He did it for us to reconcile to God, to become children of God by removing sin
*He became our sin, all the suffering, fogging was the price he has to pay
*At that time, he said the Father and Jesus are one, he turned his eyes away because he was sin. As a result, he was all alone
*Symbolizes the magnitude of Christ love for us
*Imagery of sin in the Old Testament
1. Avert - evil desires in you, lawless behavior
2. Tresspass the boundary God has limited. Knowing the acceptable and the not acceptable.
3. Translated as sin, not living to God's standards
4. Hakamiah - not living up to God's standards
Hebrews 10 -sin
Willfully sin- not repent although they choose to knowing the standards of God
*We might have strong conviction that God wants us to live
*We fail because we are weak in flesh
*Selective ignorance -Choose to purposely ignore
*Willfull sin includes self-righteousness- thinking we are the best, we know everything, we do not need God, we make sin our dol
1. Fail to live out God's standards of holiness
*Sometimes we think we are relatively good
*All unrighteousness is filthy rats, in God's eyes its not about holiness but our actions
-If you look at a person with lust, you already commited adultery
-If you hate a person,you already committed murder
This is God's standard of holiness
*If you allow God to search your heart, you will know how sinful we are
2. Fail to live out to God's standard of service
*Specific things that God alone wants you to do
*We give lots and lots of excuses
*Tho we may willfully sin, but if you come with a willful heart, repentent, he will forget our past and clean us
James 4:8
- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Pastor Andrew Lim
*God gave a part to himself
*3 in one are together in unity
*Cut apart and gave it to us -his magnitude of Christ
*God gave us eventhough we did not ask, eventhough we are sinners
*He was not only read to die for us but he gave everything including the glory of heaven
*We need God to show us the way to live
*He did not come from a rich family but worse than an average man
*He came to earth crying and screaming like any of us
*He, the powerful God who created the universe
*was subjected to a 15 year old girl - Mary
*allowed himself to be in that condition because he loves us
*Whatever problems you encounter, God knows -He lived in poverty, having enemies, and parents gave up on him because they think he was crazy.
*The pain, the suffering both emotional and psychological- He sweat drops of blood
*He did it for us to reconcile to God, to become children of God by removing sin
*He became our sin, all the suffering, fogging was the price he has to pay
*At that time, he said the Father and Jesus are one, he turned his eyes away because he was sin. As a result, he was all alone
*Symbolizes the magnitude of Christ love for us
*Imagery of sin in the Old Testament
1. Avert - evil desires in you, lawless behavior
2. Tresspass the boundary God has limited. Knowing the acceptable and the not acceptable.
3. Translated as sin, not living to God's standards
4. Hakamiah - not living up to God's standards
Hebrews 10 -sin
Willfully sin- not repent although they choose to knowing the standards of God
*We might have strong conviction that God wants us to live
*We fail because we are weak in flesh
*Selective ignorance -Choose to purposely ignore
*Willfull sin includes self-righteousness- thinking we are the best, we know everything, we do not need God, we make sin our dol
1. Fail to live out God's standards of holiness
*Sometimes we think we are relatively good
*All unrighteousness is filthy rats, in God's eyes its not about holiness but our actions
-If you look at a person with lust, you already commited adultery
-If you hate a person,you already committed murder
This is God's standard of holiness
*If you allow God to search your heart, you will know how sinful we are
2. Fail to live out to God's standard of service
*Specific things that God alone wants you to do
*We give lots and lots of excuses
*Tho we may willfully sin, but if you come with a willful heart, repentent, he will forget our past and clean us
James 4:8
- Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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