Reflection & Thanksgiving

Pr. Annie Wong 

Sermon Outline 31^st Dec 2017

Topic: Reflection & Thanksgiving

Text:  Psalm 107:1,2,8,22,32 

Thanksgiving is living with an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE for everything God has done for us.

“I recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; l will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Ps 9:1-2 

An attitude of gratitude is a force that moves our heart to celebrate the acts of God in our lives and a time of reflection, to pause, to take stock of the blessings that surrounds us, recounting the pass acts of God as in Ps 9: 1-2.

1. Acknowledge God with thankfulness 

Prov 3:5-6

If we acknowledge Him, He will make your path straight.

Isaiah 40 3-5,

Prepare the way of the lord, make straight a highway for our God …..and His glory will be revealed. 

God want us to remove every obstacle in our lives and He is willing to help in removing all the obstructions if we acknowledge Him and in the process welcome His presence. The key is to acknowledge Him for all that He has done in the past with a Thankful Heart. God is looking for a Thankful Heart.

 Luke 17, 12-17

Healing of the 10 lepers. Jesus gladly healed all 10 lepers but he is also looking for a response of thankfulness from them. The key to continuous blessings is to respond with a joyful and thankful heart.

2. Thankfulness releases God's blessing

 Paul in Philippi Acts 16:16-26 

Despite Paul and Silas fate of being beaten and thrown in jail, they did not stop praising and giving thanks to God and they were delivered. Paul did not complain or went into self pity but he chose to praise God and he was delivered.

Jesus with the multitudes Matt 15: 29 to 38 

Jesus healed the multitudes and he also wanted to feed them too as He had compassion for them. As He gave thanks to the heavenly Father for the 5 loaves and 2 fish, these were multiplied and feed all who were present with left overs. For some of us, the present needs maybe overwhelming but God says thankfulness releases God’s blessing in abundance.

3) How do we acknowledge God? 

(a) Thank Him in words -Ps i 107:8 

We are to thank Him in words which are our prayers. Let it be a habit of looking for ways to thank God for His blessing upon our lives.

(b) Thank Him in joyful song Psalms 107:22 

Let everything within us praise the Lord.

David willed and commanded his heart to praise God as stated in Ps 43:5 regardless of how he felt and his soul was lifted up.

Thankfulness should be naturally flowing out from our hearts and mouths and as we continue in this manner, we will be able to overcome any heaviness in our spirit and stop the enemy from taking advantage of the situation when we put on the garment of praise.

1 Thess 5:16-18

Be joyful always, ….. give thanks in all circumstances….

(c) share testimony with others psalms 107:32 

When has God done something for us, we are to testify of His goodness to us. We need to announce to all in the assembly of people.

Testimony:

Renne Bong: God’s blessing of providence of a scholarship under circumstances that she could not understand at a certain point of time in her life.

Bong: God physical healing as he praises God during a time of physical pain and God’s protection overall. Lamentation 3: 22-23

(d) Bring Him a "Thank Offering" 

Ps 107: 22

We thank God by giving back in our acknowledgement of His blessings.

Question:

 1) How to apply thankfulness from the following verses: Ps 9 1-2, Pro 3:5-6, Isaiah 40. 3-5, 1 Thess 5:16-      18 

2) Share one experience for which you are most thankful this year and why are you thankful for it? 

3) How can we give thanks in times of adversities and what can be the outcome?

The Appearing of Christ and our waiting

Sermon outline Sunday 24/12/17 by Rev.Renny khoo

Topic :The Appearing of Christ and our waiting

Text : Titus 2:11-14

In Titus 2 :11-14 the scriptures tells us that there are two appearings of Christ.

One is called the appearing of Grace and the other is the appearing of Glory of our great God.

The appearing of Grace happens more than 2000 years ago when Christ first born to redeem us from our sins and enabled us to live godly lives and express our gratitudes with good works to fullness of life.

The appearing of His glory will be upon His return and second coming when He comes again to take us home to glory with Him.

In between the two Appearings there is a time of waiting for the Blessed Hope of what is to come.

While waiting for any results there is a time of hoping in anticipations just like anyone waiting for an examination results or any outcome of an event.So waiting =Hope.

In Hebrew the word YAKHAL =To wait for.

Example like Noah has to YAKHAL wait for weeks for the water to recede from the earth before he can find land or waiting for your spouse to come home.

The other Hebrew word QAVAH (to wait).It has a root word to carve or cord like measuring line in full accord with tensions.Its like a feeling of tension and anticipation while you are waiting.

This type of QAVAH or waiting can be found in Isaiah 40:31 while you wait upon the lord they will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles,run and not grow weary,walk and not be faint.

This type of waiting comes with anticipations and tensions.

When we wait with anticipations there is an element of hope.This waiting can be Passive or Active waiting for the hope to come.

YAKHAL likens to be a Passive waiting like Noah waiting till it happens not knowing what to happen or waiting for wife shopping till she finish.

QAVAH is Active waiting in anticipation with hope like waiting for wife shopping with tension of the exorbitant bills to come jokingly.

QAVAH waiting likens to Hope with tension and certainty , unlike the type of hope to see you with elements of uncertainty.This type of QAVAH waiting is with biblical certainty of Hope to come based on the person of Christ and not on circumstances which is very different from the worldly hope like optimism with uncertainty.

What are we waiting and how do we wait?

It is important to celebrate Advent four weeks before christmas arrives just to prepare ourselves.

Christmas reminds us that christ is coming back again the second time as we wait for Him.

In Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once ,and after that to face judgment,so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time,not to bear sin,but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

In His second coming he will come to bring us salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Are we eagerly waiting for him knowing we are only passing through on this earth to our heavenly home in our last days .

At christmas we need to look back to remember what Christ has done for us and be grateful to count our blessings with gratitude.

Then we look forward with blessed hope and wait with joy QAVAH for his second coming to bring us to His eternal glory.

Questions:

1) Share /what/how do you understand hope from following verses ;Hebrew 6:10-12,      Thes2:16-17,Col 1;21-23,1Peter1;3, Rom15:4

2) What are experiences or somethings you are grateful for this year ?

3) Share your prayers for next year.

Shepherds in the Field

Topic: Shepherds in the Field

Text: Luke 2:8-20

Introduction

1.    Shepherds in the field – insignificant group of people. They were the first to hear the good news. They were smelly and dirty and considered lowly people. Shepherds’ Field Chapel, Beit Sahour, which is 2km from Bethlehem. The house that never sleeps. Shepherds’ Field is the exact site where the shepherds were told the good news. The shepherd sits at the gate or entrance of the cave as gatekeeper to guard and protect the sheep inside the cave. Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7). Jesus was not born on 25 Dec but on March 25 which is Passover Day.

2.    Insignificant but with significant purpose

·         Upside down kingdom (Matt. 5:1-12). We cannot view God’s kingdom from a world’s perspective but from God’s perspective.

·         Unimportant town (Micah 5:2). Jesus chose a small and insignificant place to be born in. Boaz Field Souvenir Shop. Why Boaz Field? Bethlehem was the place where King David was born.

·         Unnoticed shepherd boy (1 Sam. 16). David was an unimportant member of the family. Prophet Samuel picked David out of Jesse’s sons and anointed him to be king. God has chosen him to be king.

·         Unclean shepherds. Why announced the birth of Christ to lowly shepherds who were not accepted by the community and considered unclean? They were not allowed inside the temple to worship God. Jesus welcomed the shepherds and lepers. He made them special. They did not deserve it but God gave it to them. God has significant purposes in insignificant things.

3.    Jesus Christ – our Roeh (Shepherd) (John 10:11-18). Sheep are animals which have very poor vision and need shepherds to guide them.

Conclusion:

1 Samuel 16:7b “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The Good Shepherd sees you, He wants to lead you, to protect you and to give you the greatest gift of life. This Christmas, do you see Him?

Questions

1.    Read Matthew 2 and Luke 2:8-20, the news of Jesus’ birth were made known to which group(s) of people? How did they respond to the news? Why do you think they responded the way they did?

2.    What is your view on the upside down kingdom of God? Does that mean God does not favour people in high positions and with important status? Share freely!

3.    Do you know the Good Shepherd this Christmas? 

Preparing The Day of the Lord

10/12/17 by
Rev. Ngui Au Sze

Topic: Preparing The Day Of The Lord

Text: Mark1:1-8




Introduction

Advent and Christmas-What's the difference?

Advent is the season of four weeks before Christmas. It is the time of preparing ourselves spiritually to usher in Christmas. Christmas is the season to celebrate the birthday of the Lord and Christ is the reason for the season.

1) Preparing for the Lord

• John the Baptist and his role.
John the Baptist is the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He came into the scene after 400 years of prophetic silence since the days of Malachi. His ministry had two major roles. Firstly he was the forerunner and messenger to announce to the people that the messiah is to appear and secondly to urge his listeners to repent and change their ways to receive him.

• The Expected Messiah
The Israelites are not expecting a messiah to be a baby born in a manger. They are expecting someone anointed by God like Moses or David who could lead them to overthrow the overlords the Romans who has been governing and taxing them unfairly and making their lives miserable.

• Who are we Expecting
We are not expecting the messiah to be born because he already came 2000 years ago. We are looking forward to celebrate his birthday during Christmas and be reminded of his great love of dying on the cross for our sins so that we can be reconciled to God and inherit eternal life

2) The acts of preparation

• Confession
We may have inadvertently missed out confessing all the sins that we have committed in thought, word and deed. Advent is a good time to recall, confess and repent those sins so that we have minimum baggage carried forward to next year.

• A baptism of repentance
Besides confession we need to genuinely repent of our sins. Repentance means taking a 180 degree turn from sin toward God. Others should be able to see the difference it makes in us.

• what are our preparations
Besides the physical preparations of decorations, presents and food during Christmas we must also take stock of our spiritual lives as well such as carolling and hospital visitations to bring the hood news of great joy to those around us including bible reading plans etc.

3) The Lord is coming

• He will baptise with the Holy Spirit
John's water baptism by immersion demonstrated repentance, humility and willingness to turn from sin. Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit sending the Holy Spirit to live in each believer. The entire person will be transformed by the Spirit's power hence offering us both forgiveness and the power to live for him. The baptism of the Holy Spirit started at Pentecost

• How is your spiritual life
In the midst of our busyness it is good practice to do a health check on the status of our spiritual lives. Questions like when do you last have a heart to heart talk with God will be helpful.

Conclusion

We must reflect, pray and ready ourselves to walk the way of the Lord.

Questions

1) Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and Luke 1:5-25, who are some of the people God involved in the preparation of Christ's birth? What are their respective roles?

2) In what way are you preparing for the Lord's coming as we celebrate Christmas?

3) what do you think your role is in preparing for the second coming?

Grace-remembered season

Topic Grace-remembered season

Text :Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith in christ and this is not from yourselves,it is the gift of God not by works ,so that no one can boast.

So Grace is the gift of God

Sunday sermon 3/12/17 by Rev.Renny Khoo

1)Santa said-You have to earn it.

  JESUS said-You need only to receive .John 1:12

The heartbeat of all human nature always have the tendency to attempt to earn acceptance by doing charities and hope to be rewarded.However we can never achieve God’s standards in order to earn His rewards no matter how much good works we do.

A gift is not a reward and we only need to receive it to own it.We do not need to earn a gift.

We can reject a gift but we cant earn it.Once we accept the gift it is ours.

So Grace is the gift of God.

2)Santa said -only if you behave,you will then get my love.

  Christ said-while you misbehave,I was already loving you.

  It is christ who first love us not for what we have done or how much we have loved him.1John 4:10

  Even while we were yet sinners christ died for us.Romans 5:8

3)Santa keeps a record of our deeds

  Christ declared-It is finnished

  Colossians 2:13-14 when we were dead in your sins….

                 God made you alive with christ and forgave all your sins.

                 He even canceled the written code …that stood against us..took it away..nailed it on the cross.

Christ deleted all our records and forgave us of all our past sins by erasing all our records that stood against us! We were all born sinners and we inherited this sin.This is evidence even in children who need not be taught how to manipulate others for selfish gain.

Grace is given even though we do not deserve it .we just need to receive his forgiveness out of His mercy.

God first loved us (while we were still sinners).

Jesus came to die for us ( so that we could live)

So now we live in service to God ( with gratitude in our hearts).

We do not serve to earn his love.

We serve Him out of gratitude with thanksgiving for His amazing Grace that saved us.

Questions

1)Grace is the gift of God.We can either receive or reject the gift.

  Share your thoughts on the above statement.

2)What are some things you are especially thankful for throughout this year?

3)How do you intend to practice grace-giving moments in celebrating this year’s christmas season?

See and Embrace This New Thing

19 Nov 2017 

Sermon Outline Topic: See and Embrace This New Thing 

Isaiah 43:18-21. 

God is doing a new thing. He is a God who make all things new.

To embrace this new thing of what God wants to do is to see that :-

Isaiah 43: 18-21

18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

V19, God wants to do a new thing in our lives, in our church and in our nation because He is a God that makes all things new. He is a God who is active and dynamic, never sleeps or slumbers, always providing a way, always refreshes and renewing our lives. He is a God who was, who is and who is to come for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He wants to do new things in our lives such as in our marriage, home, workplace or any area in our lives. Today, God is inviting us to a fresh awareness of all that He is doing and a new understanding of who he is. 

 (1) This new thing is fresh (v18-19)

Isaiah 43: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! ….”

God first and foremost wants to change our focus on how we see our past victories. In Isaiah 43: 18, when God said to forget the “former”, God was referring to the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Babylon where He had to introduce the the10 plagues, parting of the Red sea, rain bread from heaven or Moses striking his rod so that there is water to drink in the desert. These were not bad things and they should be remembered but God wanted to us to move on to receive fresh new things that He has in store for us. God also do not want us to focus on our past failures, just like when the Israelites returned God’s blessings of good things for evil things. God gave them the Temple but was returned with idol worship, His truth was returned for lies, His commands was taken as suggestions, wealth given was used to abuse the poor and when He gave Himself, He was rejected. Despite this God still extended His hand of hope and love. Just like the Israelite, we too cannot alter what had happened in the past but we can put our past at the altar and let the blood of Jesus sanctify us and we move on to the new things of God and not let our past possess us.

 Philippians 3:13-14 

 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Here Paul wrote that he cannot go forward without forgetting what is behind. Likewise, we cannot focus on the new things of God and what he can do for us while we are still focussing on the past of what we had done either good or bad. Paul knew that we have to lay aside our past success or failures to possess our future. God wants us to move forward to new experiences in a fresh new way right now for God will not do the same thing, in the same way as in the past.

2) This new thing springs up (v19) 

 1 Cor.15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The analogy of planting a seed and for a while, nothing may seem to be happening, however, the seed is germinating, taking root before sprouting and finally breaking forth above ground. This is liken to the seed we sow in prayer, investing in time and talent in our ministry, family or work place where we do not see any result for a while but 1 Cor.15:58 states that our labour will never be in vain.

3) This new thing makes way (19-21) 

The Israelites spent 40 years wandering when they lost their trust and faith in God which brought forth the wrath of God and the unbelieving generation died off never to enter the promised land. This generation of Israelites felt that they deserved all these as they had felt discouraged, disappointed and felt that God will not have anything to do with them. We too may feel the same way regarding our past turning our lives into a wasteland and we cannot move away from this desert. From relationship problem, family, financial, loss of employment, failure, parental failure, pain and sickness and ministry failure etc, we feel lost, discourage confused, unworthy and condemned. God seemed to have stopped moving in our midst. This is not true as He is making a way in the wilderness, for he will provide water in the desert. God will transform the desert area of our lives into fields of blessings and abundance. A dried up life can be transformed to a life of purpose and grace. God delights in involving us in His plans. The plans and place where God is advancing are often in a place of wilderness but as we journey with Him, he is more than adequate to refresh us and He wants us to serve effectively in the area that He has placed us.  Proverb 3:5-6 ”Trust in the Lord …..and he will make your paths straight.”

Our God is the God of the new thing and if we only expect God to move in according to what we are familiar, then we run the risk of missing out on what God wants to do a new thing in our lives, family and church. May we thirst after God in His unfolding of His new things in our lives.

Questions: 

1. How do you perceive the new things God has in store for you? 

2. How can past victories and failures hinder you from walking in experiencing the new things that God wants to do in you, for you and through you? 

3. How can you overcome past failures discouragement, wilderness experiences, complacency and move on into the new things God has for us?

Bible Verses for Corporate Prayer over our nation

Bible Verses for Corporate Prayer over our nation 

Genesis 50:20

 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Proverbs 28:13-14

13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

2 Peter 3:9

 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Protestant Key Doctrines Made Simple

Topic: What does it mean to be a Protestant-
Key Doctrines of the Reformation

Protestant Key Doctrines Made Simple

Dr Wilfred John Sundaraj

29 Oct 2017

Romans 3:24, 1:17 & Galations 3:11

Roms 3:22-24

 We can only be saved by Faith through Grace as a gift through the redemption in christ.
Roms 1:17 ,Gal 3:11. The righteous shall live by faith

1)Sola Scriptural
The Bible alone ,Scripture alone speaks authoritatively, and it speaks to all believers,independently of church leaders and councils,human interpreters and so-called spokesmen for God.

Biblical vs Earthly Authority 
We are to be governed by the bible as our ultimate authority.
Earthly authorities like laws of nature,experience,intellect,emotion,culture are only like scaffoldings to help us understand the bible better.

2) Sola Gratia
“Grace alone.” It is only by the unmerited favor of God that Christ went to the cross and paid the price for man’s salvation.Human Beings are by nature depraved by darkness,blindness,deaf,and heart of stone. He can never understand the gospel truth and need to be set free.
Therefore God’s grace is truly undeserved and amazing and God’s grace alone has the power to draw people to himself and open up our eyes,ears,and heart .
Only God can save us from the power of sin,death and attacks of the devil and set us free.

3)Sola Fide -Faith alone
Only total righteousness is acceptable to God,and that is found in christ,not in us.People can only accept Christ’s work by placing trust in him.

Faith is the confidence God puts in us to trust in christ and His promises in the Word of God.

Faith is knowledge based- refers to the content of faith, or those things we believe.

Faith also refers to personal trust.relationship and reliance to God through christ.
So knowing and believing the content of the christian faith is not enough,for even the demons can do that.
Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus,one personally trusts in im alone for salvation.Faith that saves and works are justified by faith in christ to do good works.

4)Sola Christus- Christ alone
Salvation is accomplished by christ alone,and mediated by christ alone - not by angels,saints,sacraments,priests,teachers,churches,or anyone or anything else.Christ alone was the perfect Savior,and he alone is the perfect prophet,priest,and king.
The Gospel is inclusive claim for all but exclusive claim in christ alone is salvation found.

5) Soli Deo Gloria (To God be the Glory)
God must be the center of our worship,praise,thanksgiving,works,home,and play.Worship is a  way of life and not just  a  church activity or performance.

Biblical theology
A)Law and the Gospel
The old laws in the old testament condemn us because we can never fulfill all the laws and achieve salvation by our own effort but Jesus came to fulfill the law by saving us from the condemnation of sins out of his mercy and Grace.So we are to thank God,praise God and worship Him for all Jesus has done for us.
So the old testament becomes our guide to do good works as a way of devotion and thanksgiving.

B) Sacraments - Baptism and Eucharist ( holy communion)
Both sacraments are holy practices and commands and promises from God.

Baptism is to to testify publicly ones repentance and acceptance of the salvation from christ jesus.
Eucharist or holy communion are to be practised to remember what christ has done for us at the cross for the forgiveness of our sins saved by grace not by works.

Reformation also restore the importance of family as the important part of the church.
Families is the small church at home and parents must not neglect the spiritual educations at home.

Reformation is an on going process whereby life are being transformed continuously for God’s glory and traditions needs to be refined to rid of any unhealthy practices that are not pleasing to God.
The church must preserved the spirit of unity amongst all believers in christ irrespective of denominations in the course of reformations.

Questions

1) Which of the key Doctrines of Reformation mentioned appeal to you more? Why?

2) What is one key lesson you have learnt from this sermon and how has that impacted your life?

Inner life of a Disciple

Inner Life of a Disciple 

Sister Evon Foo

Trusting the Lord

Trusting the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-8

Rev Johnny Wong

22 October 2017

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1) The consequences of disobedience- King Saul

King Saul 1 samuel 13:8-14 and 15:15-1

As recorded in text king Saul started well with glamour and victories in his rule as king over Israel even in turbulent times.However he acted foolishly for not keeping the commands of the Lord for not offering sacrifices to the Lord accordingly and did not sought the favor of the Lord as recorded in 1 samuel 13:8-14.

King Saul also even lied in 1 samuel 15:15-19 for not obeying the Lord's commandment to destroy everything that belongs to the Amalekites .Instead he spared the best sheeps and cattles as sacrifices to the Lord and made a monument for himself. Thus the Lord removed him as king for his disobedience.

In both events he lean on his own understanding instead of trusting and obeying the Lord.

It is not how well one starts that matters but how one finish that matters more!
Rev.Johnny also shared his own testimony on relying on his own wisdom instead of seeking the Lord in helping out his own brother from financial difficulties causing him to fall into deep financial debts which subsequently led him into family crisis.Rev johnny learned a serious lesson from Proverbs 22:26-27 .
He cried out out to God in desperation by singing the song I will Sing by Don Moen.  And  out of God’s mercy he was gradually  relieved  of his financial needs through the help of brothers and sisters in christ. Indeed God has provided him a way where there seems to be no way.

2) The blessings of obedience- King David

King David 1 Samuel 24:3-7; 26:8-12. 
Saul was jealous and sought to kill David when he realised that  David was more successful in conquest and was anointed to be the next king.
 David had on two occasions given opportunities to kill Saul as recorded in 1 samuel 24:3-7 26:8-12 but he refused to do so because he knew that Saul was God’s anointed one .Instead he chose to leave this matter to God rather than take this matter into his own hands.David was conscious stricken when he cut off the corner of the Saul’s robe , despite the fact that he had been anointed as the next king.

Rev Johnny also shared his own testimony on how he struggled after he resigned as pastor of his previous church and how God led him to serve in Bccm .
He experience the provision in times of anxieties as promised in 1 peter 5:7
Recently over the 21 days of fast and corporate prayers organized by Bccm EGC he also experienced prayer revival.

Indeed obedience brings blessings from God and vice versa.

Questions

1. Reflect on an instance in your life when you failed to wait and trust in God’s timing/ways.

2. What are the root issues that cause us to be unable to trust in God wholeheartedly?
(Examples: unforgiveness, fear of rejection, a bitter judgement against certain people etc) share as openly as possible.

3) Drawing from David’s examples, what is required of you to fully trust in God daily ,in every dimension of life? Name one thing you want to work on to  overcome this week.

Nuggets of wisdom from the small and insignificant Rev Chong Fui Yung

Topic: Nuggets of Wisdom from the Small and Insignificant

Text: Proverbs 30:24-28

Rev Chong Fui Yung

15 October 2017

Proverbs 30:24-28

24 "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:

25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;

26 conies are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;

27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks;

28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces.

INTRODUCTION

We can learn spiritual lessons from four small creatures which are insignificant but unusually wise. Nonetheless, God has seen it fit to mention them. In contrast, the horse, lion and eagle are larger and more powerful. Verses 29 to 31 say that a lion, a strutting cock, a he-goat and a king with his army around him, move with stately bearing.

1.         THE ANTS – A Good Concept of Time

Verse 25 – “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” Myrmecology is the scientific study of ants. There is some wisdom that can be gained from ants. We may think there is not much to an ant. Ants are not strong but there is something about them that we can learn from. They are wise and well prepared for adverse situations. Proverbs 6:6-8 - Learn from the ants. They prepare for tomorrow. They don’t lie around and wait for handouts. They are aware of the times and the need and act on it. Ecclesiastes 3 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” The ants know this concept. When winter comes and is freezing cold, when food is scarce and hard to get, they don’t need to go out and worry about food. They have a great concept of the future and wisely know how to prepare for it. The most important preparation for us for the future is to be ready for Jesus’ return. Have you made peace with God? Is your future and eternity secure? Are you ready at any minute to meet with your Creator? Ants are wise and store up food in the summer. Are you storing up treasures for yourself in heaven?

Do we have this right perspective of time like the ants?

Ø  NOW is the time to respond to the Lord.

2.         THE CONIES (ROCK BADGERS) – A Great Concept of Security

Verse 26 – “Conies are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags.” They live in the small cracks and shallow crevices of the rocks. Their home is on the solid rocks. Their main defensive move is to hide in the cracks and crevices of the rocks where their predators are not able to reach them. Similarly, Christ is our Rock and Redeemer. We sing, “Rock of ages, Cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” Psalm 18:2 – God is our Rock. We stand firm and secure in Him. That’s what the rock badgers are reminding us of – Trust and hope in God. He is our Refuge, Protector and Strength.

How does the badgers’ choice of living environment give them security and protection?

From where or from whom do we receive protection and security in life?

3.         THE LOCUSTS – A Great Concept of Strength

Verse 27 – “Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks.” Locusts are rarely mentioned in the singular. They know the strength of numbers. They move together in swarms. The direction they pursue seems to be almost instinctive. They have no king and are leaderless. They do not need directive, but each doing their part together as they move forward. Our primary loyalty is to God and His kingdom. Our priority is to win people to God’s kingdom. Like the locusts, we need to do it in unity. We are knit together, united in love and closely linked. We have that strong bond together. We have the same God, same spirit.

How can we move forward like the locusts together in ranks?

In terms of goal and purpose; in terms of each doing their part according to gifts and abilities for the advancement of God’s kingdom, and for the building up of one another for the extension of God’s church. There is strength in unity. That’s what the locusts are teaching us today.

4.         THE LIZARD – A Great Sense of Place

Verse 28 – “A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.” There is no place exempt from the lizard. It is a difficult visitor to keep out. They seem to have the sense of belonging wherever it goes. However, once it is caught, its life is over. Yet they can slip past vigilant palace guards and be found even in kings’ palaces. What wisdom shall we take from the lizard? As God’s people, we need to live in God’s kingdom and remain faithful till we meet our Lord. We have a place through the One who is the Creator. We need to live as God’s people and see our self-worth in God’s creation.

Life is transitory but we have our place in God through Jesus Christ. We have a place in the King’s Palace. I have prepared a room

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”

John 14:2, 3 – “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

How does this give us an assurance in view of the transitoriness of one’s life?

We can and will dwell in palaces in the presence of Almighty God.

CONCLUSION

The common factor is that these are four small things, but extremely wise in their own ways. We would be wise to learn from them. At times, we may feel small and insignificant. Nonetheless, God values you. He has a purpose towards which you can contribute and play a significant role, just like these four small things.

In Christ we have

1.    A present and future

2.    Our security

3.    Our strength

4.    A place and position

Let’s take another good look at ourselves, recognize all that God provides for us and recognize the ways God can use each one of us. Let the wisdom of these four small things, seemingly so insignificant, bless and enrich our lives. May we know our worth and value before God. Let’s be a blessing to others.

REFLECTION

How can these nuggets of wisdom be applied to our walking wisely in life?