Tour of Holy Land

 

2023 Church Vision

Break Barriers

Bridge Builders 

Rev Renny Khoo

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.5.19-20.NIV

Bridges are symbolic of human’s connections.

CONNECTION 

Gift of listening 

Jesus became the bridge connecting us to God.

Ministry of reconciliation 

1. God is the initiator and He reconnected Himself to us! 
2. He gave us the Ministry of reconciliation.
3. We are entrusted the message of reconciliation.
4. Be reconciled to God.

Are we connected to God? 

Is it a weak or strong connection? 

How much of the omnipresent God is inside us? 

How much we desire the presence of God? 

There is a shift within us to desire the presence and glory of God! 

Jesus is the light

Isaiah 9:5-7 Jesus The Long Awaited Light 光的久己待期， 稣耶 Text: Isa 9:1-7 书亚赛以 The promise of Light v1-5 光的许应 Light is a person v5-7 人个一是光 Isaiah 8:22 Increase of joy 乐喜增加 Break the rod 棍那断折 Burn the weapons 器武毁烧 Light is a person 人个一是光 Wonderful Counsellor 士策妙奇 Mighty God 神的能全 Everlasting Father 父的在永 Prince of Peace 约 君的平和 John 16:33 Jesus

VISION SOUNDS 2023 A YEAR OF COMPLETION

VISION SOUNDS

2023 A YEAR OF COMPLETION

by Marsha Burns:

 

In seeking the Lord for wisdom with regard to the coming year, I could not get past the numeric value of 2023 = 7, and my spirit was lifted. In Hebrew, the number seven means to be full or satisfied, to have enough. God rested on the seventh day of creation; it was full and complete, and good and perfect.

 

Genesis 1:1-4 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from darkness.

 

I believe that this is a time in history where darkness seems to prevail. I do not know when I have actually felt good about the news of what is happening around us; especially when I consider the Covid pandemic, wars in the world, wars in the cities of our nation, and divisions among us regarding almost every issue. Where is the light?

 

It seems like we are at the beginning of the end of the age. 

 

Matthew 24:3b-8 And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

 

We must move forward within the context of divine purpose.

 

Consider the Golden Candlestick: It had six branches out of one central stem, making seven in all and in harmony with the fact that the light is the light of God’s people in the world, but its source is Divine.

 

Seven represents spiritual perfection and completion. There are seven colors of the rainbow that represent the promise of God. There are seven musical notes of the scale, representing completion of a set before beginning again.

 

We are at the end of the year 2022, which equals 6. Man was created on the sixth day. The serpent was also created on the sixth day. Six is the number of man falling short of spiritual perfection, destitute of God and without Christ and in need of redemption.

 

I want to believe that this new year will be a turning point, at least I hope so. We must begin to live like we are redeemed, begin to accept our differences, and see through the eyes and heart of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we do not go to war over every little disagreement.

 

This coming year will be a year when we can and must choose to earnestly put God first in our lives.

 

There are 7 divine calls of God to us as His people:

 

1.   The call to salvation

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

 

2.   The call to sanctification

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now, may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

 

3.   The call to service

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

4.   The call to separation

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

 

5.   The call to sonship

1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

 

6.   The call to subjection

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

 

7.   The call to suffering

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

 

Let us purpose in our hearts to re-dedicate ourselves to be true to our God, to do His will and fulfill His purpose to the best of our ability, to pray instead of criticize, and to love one another as He has loved us.