The Child's Titles

Christmas Day Exhortation 

25 Dec 2016

The Child's Titles

Pastor Renny Khoo

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Wonderful Counselor

The counsel of God walked among us.

Mighty God

The upside down wisdom of God.

Everlasting Father

The Father that loves us with everlasting love.

Prince of Peace

He brings peace that the world cannot give.

Celebrating Christmas with a Thankful Heart

Celebrating Christmas with a Thankful Heart

Pr Annie Wong

18 Dec 2016

1) Be thankful always 

2) Be thankful in every season

Give thanks not FOR but IN all circumstances ! 

Choose to give thanks in the midst of the circumstances. 

3) Be thankful for it release the power of God

Reflections :

1. In what ways would your life be different if you lived every day with a thankful heart ? 

2. Share your experiences and struggles when you are able to thank God even during difficult times. What life lesson has God taught you during such difficult times ? 

3. Let's take time to reflect in God's presence this Christmas and count your blessings. Make a list of all that God has blessed you with and start offer your thanksgiving to Him.

My own reflections :-

1.  Stop comparing with others, be contented with what I have, count my blessings and complain less. Blog about my gratitude list.

2. At low time, stop complaining to God is a sign of maturity but able to give thanks ahead of the good promises of God is called faith in God. It is easier said than done. I have few such encounters and God has been faithful.

3. Things that God blessed me with in 2016 :-

• Health restoration - the beginning of restoration through surgery and new lifestyle of eating.
• Support of family & friends in my life through all the different circumstance.
• My soulmate and partner, he has such a pillar of support and understanding of the change I am going through.
• My job that gives me a sense of purpose at work.
• God has blessed GB ministry and brought to another level. 

Celebrating Christmas meaningfully

Celebrating Christmas meaningfully

11 Dec 2016

Rev Johnny Wong

1) Be a witness for Christ

Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

2) Waiting upon the Lord

Be quiet and wait upon the Lord.

Make time to wait upon the Lord especially in Christmas time.

3) Glorifying and praising God

Unwrapping the mystery gift

Unwrapping the mystery gift

Pr Lo Yi Ping

4 Dec 2016 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

1) The gift of new life - Romans 6:3-4; John 10:10

Season of giving 

Jesus is the promised gift - 14 X 3 generations passed before He was born. 

42 generations has passed waiting for Him to come as the mysterious gift. 

2) The gift of keys of the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 16:19; Isaiah 33:6

Restoring our identity as a kingdom citizen

We are given the rights and authority as kingdom citizen.

We have duties along with the rights and privileges.

The status of this citizenship is to work for the kingdom.

3) The gift of the crown - 1 Peter 5:4

Christmas is to celebrate our new birth in Christ. Ask God for a word what He has in store for us for the coming year.

When was the last time you ask for a gift from God ? What would you ask for this Christmas ?

I have prayed for many things but have not asked for a gift from God for a long time. The relationship with the Lord is a bit structured, we prayed for mercy and grace to live day by day. But, I have not really asked for a gift. What is a gift ? 

The gift of life, the joy and sorrow of living, and the trials and temptations of the day, are all part and parcel of life. Jesus is the gift promised to the world.

What are some of the privileges you enjoy and responsibilities you have as a kingdom citizen ?

What must we do to get the gift of crown ? 

Matthew - Liberated by God's Grace

Matthew - Liberated by God's Grace

Lessons from the life of Matthew.

Bishop James Wong

27 Nov 2016 - Advent 

1. God uses people with a broken past.

2. Matthew brought his gang to Jesus.

3. Sharing the messages of love. 

4. Matthew serve God with his gift.

He took something away from his tax collection table a pen and he continued to record the miracles of Jesus.

Prayer Meeting on 15 Nov 2016

Psalm 43:

1 Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.

Hebrews 4

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God's Handprints

God's Handprints

Dr Ho Siang Boon

20 Nov 2016

Matthew 5:13-16

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

When God at work, He leaves His Handprints behind.....

Hopefulness - God works on us with both of His hands.

Jeremiah 18:6, Jeremiah17:7-8

Aspire to inspire 

Isaiah 58:10

Nurture - God will nurture His beloved. Don't harden ourselves as we are clay 

Isaiah 64:8

Development (Maturity)

1 Peter 4:10

Am I a lamp that shines for my community ? 

Growing up

Growing Up Lah !

Pr Janice Chin

Phillipians 2:13 

 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Ephesians 4:13-16

 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We are called to grow up. 

Growth without depth - John Scott's statement on churches in the world today. 

The modern phenomena of Delayed Adulthood. Likewise, churches are having this too with many christians not growing into maturity.

The Spiritual Formation

Being transformed for Christ

Dimensions of our growing up in Christ 

1) Our Community 

Key practices to cultivate :- 

Intergeneration

Inclusion

Learn stories from elderly of how their spiritual journeys have been, how the have kept their faith. Include new friends from all ages into your circle.

2) Our inner life 

Key practices to cultivate :-

Introspection

Innocence

Psalm 139

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Romans 16:19

 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

How to practice innocence ? 

By doing what is good. 

God-kind Weapons for the war

NGod-kind Weapons for the war

Ps Renny Khoo

30 October 2016

Ephesians 6:10-24

Stand firm V 11, 13, 24

1. Belt of truth - Knowledge 

Satan's scheme - Deception

The truth does not set us free but it's the knowledge of the truth that will set us free.

We need to know the real and truth so we know what is fake and false.

2. Breastplate of Righteousness - Live out the truth

Satan's scheme - Corruption

3. Shoes to proclaim gospel of peace - Advance the truth

Satan's scheme - Opposition

4. Shield of faith - Believe the truth

Satan's scheme - Intimidation

Satan is the Accuser of the brethren.

5. Helmet of salvation - Hold fast to the truth

Satan's scheme - Discouragement

The purpose of the armor is to stand firm.

Foundation : The Word

Purpose : Stand firm

Energy : Pray 

Crave ou time to grow in Christ

Recovering Power in the Marketplace 1

Recovering Power in the Marketplace 1 

Dr David Fung

13 Nov 2016

Ephesians 1:18-23

 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way.

1 COrinthians 15:27-28

 27 For he "has put everything under his feet". Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Matthew 28:19-20

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Marketplace mountains concerns :-

Art - performing, YouTube

Business - money, finance

Church - religions

Distribution - connection, logistic

Education - 

Family - 

Recovering our sense of Calling

Everyone is serving something.

God calls us first. Called by Him, through Him, for Him

Remptative nature - no longer free man

Personal redemption and remdemption of nations.

Recovering our authority in Christ

Power is neutral. Power of authority

Struggle of power and authority

There is space around you with power

Space is invaded when power taken away.

Calling comes before works.

Participating in God's work of redemption

There is a cost to follow Christ in the marketplace. 

Empowering

"Empowering of family"

Ephesians 6:1-9

Psalm 127:3-5

Psalm 128:3

Obedience to parents V1

Foundamental to order in society.

How children benefits through obedience to their parents.

Honoring parents V2-3

Why is honoring parents closely associated with enjoying a long life ? 

Modeling honoring our parents in our homes.

Fathers do not exasperate your children V4

Ways fathers exasperate their children

To provoke, irritate, 

Feeling of anger and feeling exasperation - cause of rebellion

Failure to listen, unrealistic high expectation 

Need time to spend time with our children

How do we communicate with your children ?

Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord V4

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Our long term aim for our children

This is the mandate by God.

Traditions we want children to keep.

Instruction is not just transfer of information like story telling, it is modeling and setting examples to our kids. 

God's mandate to fathers to train and instruction our children. 

Imitate His walk

Imitate His walk

Elder Annie 

Ephesians 5:1-17

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Mimeti= Mimic

What sort of "walk" is worthy of such a calling ? 

Our "walk" which is worthy of our calling is one in which we :-

1) Walk in Love

Walk in a love that is pure. 

Off with the old, on with the new.

Galatians 2:20 It is our loner I that live but Christ living in me. 

2) Walk in Light

One time we were darkness.

Romans 12:1-2

Verses 11-14

Expose by light, it becomes visible. Silent often means approval.

3) Walk in wisdom

Verses 15-17

We are called to imitate His Walk and be Godly models to impact others for Christ.

Building a Household of faith

Sunday Sermon by Preacher Lo Yi Ping

31 July 206 

John 4, 9 &  20:31

Household of faith

Occupants In a house having complete trust and confidence in God

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for And convictions of things not seen

John 4:43-55 Jesus healed the official's son

 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48 "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

49 The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

50 Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."

The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

53 Then the father realised that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

54 This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

How do we build faith ? 

Through believing the Word V 50

Through experiencing miracles together V 52

Through hearing V 47

Through telling John 4:39-42

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world."

John 9:1-41 Do you believe ? 

Jesus healed the blind man from birth. 

Believe Jesus is Christ and have life in his name. 

Marriage

IT Marriage, Christ & The Church

Ephesians 5:18-33

 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands 

22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no-one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

What do we learn about marriage from this passage ? 

Origin of marriage is from God. V 31-32 Matt 19:4-6

This is made by God and his idea for all mankind. 

Nature of marriage V 22-25, 28-30, 33

Rev 19:7-9 Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Eternal purpose of marriage - Church as bride of Christ

Parallels between marriage and the gospel

Identity - oneness and new, your people, my people

Covenant - a commitment to one another and shine for Christ

Mutual submission - V 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:16 

 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

We must rely on the Holy Spirit and practice mutual submission if we are to experience faithful and fulfilling marriage and faithful and fulfilling church.

Proverbs 9 Wisdom

Proverb 9

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

17 "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Micah 6:5