11 March 2012

Topic: What In The World Is Going On?

Many things that we used to rely on cannot be relied on. There's a lot of shaking in the world. So what is going on? Pastor is going to share the good news today.

But before anything, let's build some foundation first. 

Psalm 11:1-3
Verse 2: The wicked bend their bow - The devil shoots the fiery dart in your head and tries to make you accept the negative thought. You cannot stop the birds from flying to your head but you can stop them from building a nest. You cannot stop the fiery darts from flying but you can choose to reject them.
Verse 3: The devil wishes to destroy your foundation - The foundation of righteousness.

Hebrews 12:18-22
Verse 18: The holy spirit said these to let us know it's a very terrible sight. There's blackness, darkest and tempest. But He said you are not here to experience these.
Verse 20: God does not even allow the beast to touch the mountain. How could it be for you to touch the law and be under it?
Verse 21: Moses was so afraid and trembling. It goes to show the law condemns the most of us but grace saves the most of us.
Verse 22: All of a sudden there's no darkness in this verse.

1 Corinthians says the strength of sin is law. Look at Israel in the bible. During the 40 days, they worshiped the golden calf right before the One who just gave the law.
If 1 Corinthians says that, then the strength of grace de-promotes sin.

Acts 2:1-4
Verse 2: Note "rushing mighty wind" and "filled the whole house" and "sitting".
(Believer's Pentecost) Refer to Exodus 19:18 and see "thunderings" "lightnings". The verse says "in the morning". Pentecost is in the morning and there are thunderings..
Notice why in Acts it is now "rushing mighty wind" during the day of Pentecost? It is because God is rushing to fill you.
The first instance where the thick cloud appeared in the bible is in the earlier verses of Exodus. It came right after man said to God that whatever God wants, they can do it. Since then, God changed His tone. Prior to that, man murmured but yet God still blessed them and brought them out. This was the time of grace.
When Jesus walked on earth, He healed everyone who came. They all committed sins but yet Jesus still healed them. He did not reject any. It seems like the grace of God is greater than sin. Many are still preaching sin can stop your healing, sin can do this this this to you.
Back to the 40 days, were there any golden calf when they were under grace? It's only right after the law was introduced, sin came.(The golden calf) Man boasted in their works and God changed His tone and told Moses He will come in a thick cloud thereafter.

God has already a new covenant with mankind.
Matthew 17:5
Verse 5: "Bright cloud" overshadowed them. It's a bright cloud because wherever God is, there is always brightness.

Exodus 19:17
The people were at the foot of the mountain where the law was given. They were all servants.

Acts 1:13-15
Verse 13: Believers were at the upper room during the day of Pentecost.
Verse 15: "A hundred and twenty". This number came up in Genesis when God said man will now live to a 120. This means after the end of man's efforts and the beginning of the spirit.

2 Chronicles 5:12-14
Verse 12: There were 120 priests.
Verse 13: The priests were singing praises. God even wrote down the lyrics in this verse. There are two truths: "He is good "and His mercy endures "forever". Anyone or ministry that preaches these 2 truths will be blessed because God is happy.

Hebrews 12:22-29
Verse 22: It says you have now come to Mount Zion. You are not at Mount Sinai.
Verse 24: Jesus "speaks better things".
Verse 25: Don't refuse the blood. Pastor says to everyone not to reject grace because judgment is greater.
"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks (present active participle)". This verse says that under the law, God speaks on earth. Under grace, God speaks from heavens.
Verse 26: God spoke and earth shook. Now through the voice of grace, heaven and earth are shaken.
Verse 27: "Yet once more" - means He's going to do once more. God is shaking the earth so that things that are man made will be removed. Those that can't be shaken will remain. But if you asked, "Isn't it better not to shake things?" Let's say today your apartment shook and you evacuate. An hour later the building collapses, would you think the shaking earlier is for a good cause?
God wants everything good in your life to remain. Some people trust more in finances or commerce. But God's system is offerings and tithing.

Book of First Mentions is the book of interpreting the bible. It means for every first thing that has been mentioned, it has a significance.
The first time blood is mentioned, it is the blood of Abel. When God asked Cain where is Abel, Cain faked ignorance. He told him that his blood cries out to Me. So today, blood actually has a voice. It can be used in present day for forensic activities.
Pastor shares on North and South Korea to prove that blood has a voice. The two countries are just separated by a line. You can be in North Korea just by crossing the line. What's interesting is that the crops in North Korea are barren whereas South Korea has blooming crops. Do you think the rain is so smart to say that because there is a line, I can choose where to fall? No, it's because many innocent blood is in North Korea, there is a cry and the land is cursed.

Do not think for one moment that you are not blessed by comparing. Don't say that Pastor Henry is more blessed because he's closer to God. Or pastors are more blessed because they are pastors. Don't be in Mount Sinai. Pastor pointed out that it doesn't mean you are called a pastor means you are blessed. There are actually in fact many pastors in Singapore who are asking for help. Pastor said he does not live life like a pastor, he lives life like a believer.

It really depends on where your trust is. Pastor shared that during 2001, he did many things like running daily and drinking carrot juice every 2 days. It did not help and he feel sick instead. Even though he says his trust in the Lord, he actually trusted in jogging. Know who you trust deep down. Do not feel discouraged if you are not better off in fitness compared with your friends. As long as your trust is with the Lord, He can bless you with health.

Pastor shared this verse with a believer back then he had a tumor. "No weapon formed against thee shall prosper". The word "formed" goes to say even if it's formed in your body, it will not prosper.
The shaking on earth will cause all things that are not based on God to diminish. If you see things in your life that are being shaken, maybe God is prioritizing other things in your life. Aren't you glad now you see those uncertainties being exposed so that you can see?
What is causing the shaking? The voice of grace.

Back to Hebrews 12:28
Verse 28: "Therefore" means because of the shaking. "Let us have present active subjunctive) grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear". Make sure you are listening to messages of grace. Present active subjunctive means some may get the message while some don't.
Don't establish your belief half Mount Sinai and Mount Zion.

In closing,
Pastor prays for the church for our foundation to be built on grace. He prayed that our lives, finances, health, future and children to be built on the perfect grace of Jesus. Those false security will be removed within. Bring us to Mount Sinai.