Sunday, February 24, 2013
24 February 2013
Praise and Worship: Today we sang a song titled "In Whom I Can Trust by Steven Wee".
In case you heard this song, you may sing along to the lyrics below:
You are the Lord In whom I can trust
You are the Rock I can stand upon
Every step of the way
You take my hand and say
You'll always be here right beside me
When I call on You I know You'll come to me
You are the Lord
In Whom I can trust
You are my Fortress
You're my Deliverer
My Shield
My Strength
For all of my days
I place my hope in Jesus
Who love me with His life The Rock of my Salvation
In Whom i can trust
Song: In Whom I Can Trust
(Contributed by a kind reader aka leichyue)
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Topic: God's Glory Causes Your Words To Carry Weight
Video testimony of a NUS student who got healed in the NCC Legacy Camp in 2012. He was suffering from a damaged meniscus on his knee due to one extensive training in a day. During one of the evening worship sessions, Pastor called out a condition of the knee only for him to jump out to receive God's healing.
Before that, he participated in countless swimming competitions. He shared that before each competition, he had to train all day long and had lots of preparation work to do.
After God healed him, he went back to the doctor and was given the all clear to resume training for the next ASEAN competition. Unfortunately, he fell sick 2 weeks before the race. He did not train as hard as before but continued to take part in the competition with a light heart without any expectations. Surely it was grace that he came in first place.
He finally understood that it was never through his self effort that brought him victory. Today, he takes part in each competition, feeling restful.
Psalm 8:5-6
When God made you, God crowned (atar - all surround) you with His glory and honour. Honour in greek is defined as magnificence and beauty.
Glory is the manifestation of God's glory. In fact, glory is also used for "weight" in the bible. In other words, God crowned man with weight. In other words, whatever you say carries weight.
Jesus spoke to demons and they left. Jesus spoke to the storm and it was calm. Jesus cursed the fig tree and it died. Jesus delivered the man from leprosy and he was healed.
God's original plan is always on His heart. He wants man to live the best life. Jesus came to give us zoe life. The moment you accept Jesus Christ, you are bestowed with eternal life. We have received the very life of God and the glory and honour that was once lost are now restored.
The word "honour" is used in Isaiah 53. The bible tells us there was no beauty when Jesus was tortured and crucified. He became ugly and was beyond recognition for our sake so that we now we never need to be ashamed and can walk in God's glory and honour.
Now that you have this glory, start speaking to your condition. Speak life. Don't have to be bothered about what others would say when you do that. It's better to be "crazy" than to be like the world who die young.
When we bring up our children, we adopt the spirit of nagging. Most of the time, we do that because we are not confident that our words carry weight. Know clearly that our words carry more weight than celebrities. It's not what the world says, it's what you say. In Mark 11, Jesus says that whosoever says, if you believe, it will happen to you.
The body of Christ is so afraid of dealing with the world. It is amazing that christians act shock when sinners sin. (Pastor pauses) We should be shocked when christians are holy.
Pastor reminds the church about the message last week. In Haggai, when the clean touches the unclean, the clean becomes unclean. Under grace, the clean touches the unclean and both become clean. As shown in 1 Corinthians 7, holiness is contagious.
Don't always visualise Jesus as the nice one and God the Father being stern and fierce. That is not true because for God so loved the world, God sent His son. God is love.
Works of faith has got nothing to do with morality. It is not about the gospel. We are for righteousness of faith. Jesus said to the Pharisees, "you think committing adultery is physically sleeping with the woman? If you in your mind undress a woman, that is tantamount to sinning". That is the standard of the law. Why did Jesus say that? He did that to reveal man's guilt and sin.
Jesus' death fulfilled God's law so that now we can put aside the law. It is like once you have fulfilled your debt to the bank, you stop paying isn't it. We are now living under grace. If you said otherwise, it is tantamount to saying Jesus' death on the cross is not complete/perfect.
When God forgave man, He did not exchange His holiness to forgive man. He forgave man because He recognised the death on the cross and His righteousness.
When we see all the challenges in the world, we should constantly remind ourselves what Paul said, "Where sin increases, grace superabound."
1 John 2:15-16
Verse 15: What does it mean "Do not love the world.."? It does not mean not to love the world, that is a perverted interpretation. So what makes music or clothing worldly?
Verse 16: In other words, is music filled with the lust of the flesh? Before you jump the gun and claim these things are worldly, confirm if the content contains the lust of the flesh. God wants you to depend on His glory. We think we should teach our kids to touch not, taste not and see not. But even if you do so, they will still do it secretly.
If you are filled with pride or jealously, it means that you don't know how much you are loved - In Verse 15, it says the love "of" (not for) the Father is not in him.
We steal because we do not believe God can provide. We commit adultery because we do not trust that God will use our marriage to satisfy us.
If we talk more about the love of the Father, all the unnecessary things will fall off. We should always speak words of praises or blessings to our children and affirm them that Jesus loves them.
We are the stars of Abraham's seed. When TV first came out, many preachers in the US told their church never to buy a tv because it is a one-eye monster. Satan must have said amen to that and brought forth all the filth through tv as a medium. For the same reason, Pastor Prince's sermon messages are broadcasted in all over the world. His sermon messages are aired on tv in Israel every night at 9:30pm.
Jesus moved among sinners, social outcasts, prostitutes and tax collectors but He did not have to be like them (the world). He walked amongst them and changed their lives.
Pastor shared about Judah Smith who always text/email Pastor questions he may have while preparing for his sermon messages for his church. He looked to Pastor as a father to him. He shared that recently Justin Bieber invited Judah Smith to his concert, where he preached the gospel to Justin and his entourage together with Selela Gomez. All of them cried and Judah professed that all of them are all truly born again.
God wants you to inherit the world. Look at Romans 4:13-15, verse 13, God wants you to be the heir of the world, not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. In other words, you believe you are righteous by faith. In verse 14, it says of those who believe the law, faith becomes nothing. Those who preach the law will cause sinners to sense the anger of God and cause them to turn away. As shown in verse 15, it says the law brings wrath.
Pastor believed that many will walk out today in the glory and honour God has for us.
In the 40 days temptation, Jesus was tempted in 3 ways. One temptation is the pride of life. Hunger urge or sex urges are all given by God. It depends on how you fulfil them.
Proverbs 26:2
Verse 2: God is saying when a curse comes, there is a reason. So what has a sparrow got to do with a curse?
God brought Pastor to Matthew 10:29-31.
Verse 29: Two sparrows and a copper coin are cheap. Jesus says none of these fall off without God's knowledge. Jesus is telling you that He knows when you are fearful and worried about something. So talk to your father. Interestingly in Luke 12:6-7, it shows us that two copper coins can bring us five sparrows. In verse 7, it says you are worth more than many sparrows. This is something we should remind ourselves, rather than condemning others.
God's love for us is the same as Him loving Jesus. Look to John 17:23 to know how much you're loved. In verse 3, "have loved them as You have loved Me". This is Jesus talking to God. Talk to Jesus everyday and share with Him everything.
In closing,
2 Peter 1:16-18
Verse 17: Peter bore witness to Jesus receiving from God the honour and glory on the Mount of Transfiguration.
This verse was a revealation to Pastor and he understood that the more we affirm our children with our words of love, the more worth they will feel and they will be able to take rejection in future.
Pastor revealed that his son, Justin, now coming to 10 months is looking for praises. How much more a kid today wants a demonstration of love from their parents?
Don't be afraid to tell your children "no" to content that contains the lust of flesh. Pastor shares that he practices this with Jessica and they are both good with this approach.
Before service ends, Pastor reminds:
Throughout this week, be conscious of God's love for you and that is where good things will happen to you.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
17 February 2013
Praise and Worship: Another two great songs led by Adeline today.
Topic: Grace is Contagious
To last week's sermon by Pastor Mark, Pastor pays tribute to him and highlighted that though his english is far from good, he is anointed and his message is able to bless everyone. When he shares, people respond. Pastor says that you can be skilful but dry as a bone. Praise God that Pastor Mark is oily.
Pastor makes a prayer for everyone to be baptised with God's anointing.
In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus rebuked His disciples when they asked for permission to call down fire from heaven as they were denied access to the village. Today, there are still believers still living in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, sin is contagious. In the New Testament, mercy and holiness are contagious.
There was a leper who went to seek Jesus. The leper did not doubt Jesus has the power to heal. Many Christians today also do not doubt Jesus can heal. But His willingness is questioned today.
Let's follow the story of the leper to stop all unbelief once and for all. Jesus said "I am willing" and He touched the leper. A touch meant the world to the leper as they were social outcasts in those days. The law magnifies sin but grace and truth came from Jesus.
Paul talks in Colossians 2:21 to touch not, taste not and handle not, in an approach of denying the flesh. Many christians today interpret this verse such that if we do not behave like the world, we will score points and Jesus will bless us.
Light is seeing in its beauty among the darkness.
"But Pastor what about the verse in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers?""
The bible is always consistent and accurate. Due to a misinterpretation of this verse, many christians become so afraid to have business dealings with people of the world. They assume that christians can only have business dealings with perfect beings. If you study the bible, God also took the money of the world to build His house. Referring to the bible, back then the Egyptians gave slaves gold and silver and later it was used to build the ark of covenant.
Pastor shares that many years ago, there was a certain Pastor in Singapore who does not allow his daughter to wear gold of any shape or form due to the following verse.
1 Peter 3:3 Don't let your attraction be adorning of gold. It goes on to say putting on clothes. Pastor jokes if this is indeed true, we should even follow this verse by not donning any clothing. Many of times, we misquote the bible and behave as if we are under the law.
Luke 7:34
In this verse, the Pharisees made it as an insult and called Jesus a friend of sinners. But we know it is a wonderful accusation.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Verse 9-10: Paul says he wrote a letter my referring to non-believers. In explanation, Paul is emphasising that it's alright to associate with non-believers.
Verse 11: Paul refers to those who claims to be a believer and has a motive of cheating.
Verse 12: Many believers think that they can judge people but Paul thinks otherwise in this verse. He says it is our responsibility to only judge sinners in the church. Pastor shared there were countless discipline in the church all these years and something they will not just sit back.
So back to the verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2
Verse 17: The verse which New Creation Church is all familiar with.
Verse 18: All of us have a ministry of reconciliation.
Verse 19: God is reconciling the world to Himself and not imputing their trespasses unto them.
There is a sin that God is judging people today. The sin of rejection of God.
Pastor shared the story of the man with a withered right hand in the bible. In those days when hands are not mobile, it means his livelihood is destroyed. But when Jesus healed the man, it not only meant that his livelihood is restored, the man's dignity is also restored as he is able to work and provide for the family. At that time, the Pharisees wanted to witness if Jesus would heal on the sabbath. When Jesus knew, He looked at them and was angry.
On the topic of the "holy land" such as The Star Vista or a church building, Pastor reminds us that we are the temple of God and are always a blessing to those around us. Wherever you go, you bring God's blessings with you too. We do not need to be in a so called "holy place" in order to feel or act holy.
However, there are christians who treat a place like a holy sanctuary which is needless. In case you think this is being holy, in actual fact this is being self righteous. Pastor reminds us that it is our presence that transforms the hall to a church. We are always a santuary in God's eyes.
Jesus obviously ate and drunk but was never drunk. The bible is against drunkardness. Some drink wine for health reasons but if you don't have a taste for it, then don't take it. Love is the governing principle.
Jesus says to us to be as wise as serpents and harmless like doves.
Pastor shares about Pastor Brian from Hillsong. He hightlights that Hillsong New York holds their church services in a nightclub. For Hillsong London, they hold their services in a theatre. For Hillsong South Africa, their services are held in the largest theatre in Cape Town. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in His name, He is in our midst. The location is secondary.
Back to 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2,
Verse 20: Be reconciled with God.
Look at Chapter 6 Verse 1 now before the verse of "unequally yoked" in Verse 14.
This whole context is for us to understand the fact that Jesus is for us.
Verse 14: So what is yoke? It can refer to law, grace or worship.
In Verse 17, it says to depart and not touch the unclean. This verse is quoted from Isaiah 52:11.
Many people in the world like to prosper from Babylon's system. However Jesus says His way is through sowing and tithing. In bible geology, Babylon is defined as confusion.
So in context, the verse of unequally yoked is saying to us not to live in their immorality or worship what they worship. If this verse is indeed how many christians interpret today, then does it mean that doctors cannot attend to sinners? Or lawyers cannot represent sinners?
Abraham cut a covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba.
Marriage is to share the yoke with your partner.
If a believer would like to have a tumour removed, would you rather have a non-believer who is experienced in this field or a christian who just graduated?
Jesus sanctifies us by washing us with the water today. It is the word of God that cleanses you. When we say let's cleanse ourselves, it does not mean we cleanse ourselves physically knowing we actually can't. Just like we say let's shower ourselves. In actual fact, it is the shower that showers us.
The filthiness is on your flesh, but when you come to God, He washes you each time without fail. Pastor shows us an illustration of a gold bar under mud and asked if this would reduce its value? The value is "restored" after cleansing. The more you come, the more we are cleansed. It is a new and living way.
Under law, your sins are remembered for 3 generations and sin is contagious. Look at Haggai 2:11-14.
Under grace, your sins are remembered no more.
In closing,
1 Corinthians 7:12-15
Verse 12: Paul reiterates by telling us that this verse is for us and not the Lord. Divorce is not God's will. Never use this verse as an excuse for divorce because this has already been addressed in the next verse.
Verse 14: The unbelieving wife/husband is sanctified by each other. The child then becomes sanctified. This is proof of contagious grace.
Verse 15: So if unbeliever departs, just let him depart. It's talking about marriage.
As long as husband and wife are together, they are unified as one and is sanctified. The child is also sanctified and this grace is forever contagious.
Topic: Grace is Contagious
To last week's sermon by Pastor Mark, Pastor pays tribute to him and highlighted that though his english is far from good, he is anointed and his message is able to bless everyone. When he shares, people respond. Pastor says that you can be skilful but dry as a bone. Praise God that Pastor Mark is oily.
Pastor makes a prayer for everyone to be baptised with God's anointing.
In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus rebuked His disciples when they asked for permission to call down fire from heaven as they were denied access to the village. Today, there are still believers still living in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, sin is contagious. In the New Testament, mercy and holiness are contagious.
There was a leper who went to seek Jesus. The leper did not doubt Jesus has the power to heal. Many Christians today also do not doubt Jesus can heal. But His willingness is questioned today.
Let's follow the story of the leper to stop all unbelief once and for all. Jesus said "I am willing" and He touched the leper. A touch meant the world to the leper as they were social outcasts in those days. The law magnifies sin but grace and truth came from Jesus.
Paul talks in Colossians 2:21 to touch not, taste not and handle not, in an approach of denying the flesh. Many christians today interpret this verse such that if we do not behave like the world, we will score points and Jesus will bless us.
Light is seeing in its beauty among the darkness.
"But Pastor what about the verse in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers?""
The bible is always consistent and accurate. Due to a misinterpretation of this verse, many christians become so afraid to have business dealings with people of the world. They assume that christians can only have business dealings with perfect beings. If you study the bible, God also took the money of the world to build His house. Referring to the bible, back then the Egyptians gave slaves gold and silver and later it was used to build the ark of covenant.
Pastor shares that many years ago, there was a certain Pastor in Singapore who does not allow his daughter to wear gold of any shape or form due to the following verse.
1 Peter 3:3 Don't let your attraction be adorning of gold. It goes on to say putting on clothes. Pastor jokes if this is indeed true, we should even follow this verse by not donning any clothing. Many of times, we misquote the bible and behave as if we are under the law.
Luke 7:34
In this verse, the Pharisees made it as an insult and called Jesus a friend of sinners. But we know it is a wonderful accusation.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Verse 9-10: Paul says he wrote a letter my referring to non-believers. In explanation, Paul is emphasising that it's alright to associate with non-believers.
Verse 11: Paul refers to those who claims to be a believer and has a motive of cheating.
Verse 12: Many believers think that they can judge people but Paul thinks otherwise in this verse. He says it is our responsibility to only judge sinners in the church. Pastor shared there were countless discipline in the church all these years and something they will not just sit back.
So back to the verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2
Verse 17: The verse which New Creation Church is all familiar with.
Verse 18: All of us have a ministry of reconciliation.
Verse 19: God is reconciling the world to Himself and not imputing their trespasses unto them.
There is a sin that God is judging people today. The sin of rejection of God.
Pastor shared the story of the man with a withered right hand in the bible. In those days when hands are not mobile, it means his livelihood is destroyed. But when Jesus healed the man, it not only meant that his livelihood is restored, the man's dignity is also restored as he is able to work and provide for the family. At that time, the Pharisees wanted to witness if Jesus would heal on the sabbath. When Jesus knew, He looked at them and was angry.
On the topic of the "holy land" such as The Star Vista or a church building, Pastor reminds us that we are the temple of God and are always a blessing to those around us. Wherever you go, you bring God's blessings with you too. We do not need to be in a so called "holy place" in order to feel or act holy.
However, there are christians who treat a place like a holy sanctuary which is needless. In case you think this is being holy, in actual fact this is being self righteous. Pastor reminds us that it is our presence that transforms the hall to a church. We are always a santuary in God's eyes.
Jesus obviously ate and drunk but was never drunk. The bible is against drunkardness. Some drink wine for health reasons but if you don't have a taste for it, then don't take it. Love is the governing principle.
Jesus says to us to be as wise as serpents and harmless like doves.
Pastor shares about Pastor Brian from Hillsong. He hightlights that Hillsong New York holds their church services in a nightclub. For Hillsong London, they hold their services in a theatre. For Hillsong South Africa, their services are held in the largest theatre in Cape Town. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in His name, He is in our midst. The location is secondary.
Back to 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2,
Verse 20: Be reconciled with God.
Look at Chapter 6 Verse 1 now before the verse of "unequally yoked" in Verse 14.
This whole context is for us to understand the fact that Jesus is for us.
Verse 14: So what is yoke? It can refer to law, grace or worship.
In Verse 17, it says to depart and not touch the unclean. This verse is quoted from Isaiah 52:11.
Many people in the world like to prosper from Babylon's system. However Jesus says His way is through sowing and tithing. In bible geology, Babylon is defined as confusion.
So in context, the verse of unequally yoked is saying to us not to live in their immorality or worship what they worship. If this verse is indeed how many christians interpret today, then does it mean that doctors cannot attend to sinners? Or lawyers cannot represent sinners?
Abraham cut a covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba.
Marriage is to share the yoke with your partner.
If a believer would like to have a tumour removed, would you rather have a non-believer who is experienced in this field or a christian who just graduated?
Jesus sanctifies us by washing us with the water today. It is the word of God that cleanses you. When we say let's cleanse ourselves, it does not mean we cleanse ourselves physically knowing we actually can't. Just like we say let's shower ourselves. In actual fact, it is the shower that showers us.
The filthiness is on your flesh, but when you come to God, He washes you each time without fail. Pastor shows us an illustration of a gold bar under mud and asked if this would reduce its value? The value is "restored" after cleansing. The more you come, the more we are cleansed. It is a new and living way.
Under law, your sins are remembered for 3 generations and sin is contagious. Look at Haggai 2:11-14.
Under grace, your sins are remembered no more.
In closing,
1 Corinthians 7:12-15
Verse 12: Paul reiterates by telling us that this verse is for us and not the Lord. Divorce is not God's will. Never use this verse as an excuse for divorce because this has already been addressed in the next verse.
Verse 14: The unbelieving wife/husband is sanctified by each other. The child then becomes sanctified. This is proof of contagious grace.
Verse 15: So if unbeliever departs, just let him depart. It's talking about marriage.
As long as husband and wife are together, they are unified as one and is sanctified. The child is also sanctified and this grace is forever contagious.
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