Glad Tidings Sunway Podcast

Sermon Title : Forgive To Life Fulfilment
Date : 14th Aug 2022
Delivered by : Ps.James Quan

**Matthew 18 : 23 - 35

FORGIVE TO LIFE FULFILMENT

Big-hearted God who is Forgiving**

10,000 talents not a small sum of debt
- •1 talent = 6000 denarii
  •1 denarius = 1 - day wage
  •1 talent = 20 years of wages
  •10,000 talents = 200,000 years of wages
A MAMMOTH DEBT that no slave could possibly repay
THE BIG-HEARTED AND FORGIVING KING let his slave went free

God wants us to forgive others without limitWhy should we forgive?

God has forgiven us
God has been merciful to us
God will show us mercy

Forgiveness is a choice, and it is a wise choice because it frees us from the burdensome effects of unforgiveness.5-Step reach forgiveness towards permanent forgiveness

Recall the hurt differently
Emotionally replace negative emotions with positive emotions
Altruistic (selfless) gift of forgiveness
Commit to the forgiveness experienced
Hold onto the forgiveness when doubt occurs

God wants us to forgive others without limit

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Sermon Title : Faith of the Generations
Date : 7th Aug 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Joshua 4 : 1 - 7

Remembering God’s workings**

The Crossing of the Flooded River Jordan
- God’s instruction to Joshua
New Testament
- Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name
Significance to the crossing of Jordan
- Leadership transition: This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel (Jos. 3:7).
- God is with them (Deut. 3:21-22; 317-8, 23)
- Covenant faithfulness & loyalty (Deut. 31:16-23)

Retaining in our hearts fear for the Lord

The memorial at Gilgal
- Historical significance
- Generational significance

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Sermon Title : I am the Resurrection & Life
Date : 3rd July 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

John 11

Mary & Martha
- This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair
- Four gospels recorded this
- Placed before Jesus impending death
Thomas & the disciples
- “Let us go back to Judea.”
- “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
- Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Lazarus’ death
- So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
- So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, (v. 6)
- Why did Jesus chose to stay two more days?
God’s timing & will
- Jesus delayed going to the family He loved
- Jesus’ timing & purpose was different from what they wanted
- God’s timing & will – in the midst of our trials – may be different from what we want.
- God answers according to His wisdom & love
The 7th sign
- The 7th sign “broke the camel’s back” – pushed the chief priests to plot Jesus’ (11:53) & Lazarus’ death
Timeline of mixed responses
- From the report of Lazarus’ sickness
- Jesus’ delay
- Mary’s & Martha’s disappointment & misconception
- Disciples’ bewilderment at Jesus’ adamance to walk into death gate
- People’s putting their faith in Jesus
- Chief priests’ plot to kill Jesus & Lazarus
The glory of God
- When life’s circumstance – including death – can point to God’s glory
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
- When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
- So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
- Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
- I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
God vs man: differing purpose
- When life’s circumstance – including death – can point to God’s glory
- The key important point
- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Conclusion
- God’s timing & will does not always make sense
- God’s glory is at the heart of His workings
- God’s desire that we trust Him always, in every circumstance

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Sermon Title : Show Me Your Face
Date : 26th June 2022
Delivered by : Ps. Lawrence Yip

Exodus 33 : 13 - 23

God is ready to reveal himself when we dare to dive headlong to encounter him

HIS PRESENCE v. 17
- Map of the wilderness journey
- God came and walk alongside the people in the journey
- His presence will assure & give confidence
- Our action: boldly ask with faith for God to journey with us and we abide by his ways
- God will not let go of our hand if we will not let go of his hand
HIS GOODNESS, MERCY AND COMPASSION v.19
- Learn and know God to find favor
- The most awesome and powerful God is for the welfare of the people
- God will reveal even more to the person who desire to know him
- God’s fearsomeness is not used against us but for our wellbeing
- It will help us navigate through life’s challenges
- Come closer and find favor
HIS MIGHTY GLORY v.22
- God revealed to Abraham through an angel but to Moses he talked face to face v.11
- He declared His awesome power and yet protected Moses – will we seek God out?

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Sermon Title : Jesus' Presence Brings Goodness
Date : 19th June 2022
Delivered by : Ps. James Quan

John 4 : 4 - 26Jesus had intentionally chosen to journey through Samaria, a most unlikely route.

This is so that he could be present where the despised people were.What good things Jesus’ presence would bring to our lives? JESUS’ PRESENCE BRINGS REVELATION

Will: Jesus is willing to be present
- The woman was shocked – Jesus was a stranger, and a Jewish man.
- As a Samaritan, her race and religion were despised by the Jews.
- She was an outcast, immoral, worldly, and far from being religious.
Wonder: She wonders about her life
- She wondered, “How can you ask me for a drink?”” (Jn 4:9)
- Jews do not even use dishes [utensils] that Samaritans have used.
- Jews who drank from a Samaritan woman’s vessel would become ceremonially unclean
- Jesus told about the “living water” (Jn 4:10) she could drink of and never be thirsty again.
- The living water will become “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jn 4:14).
- Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit…

Jesus’ presence has brought revelation to her wondering – about her past, present and future life, and her need for salvation.

JESUS’ PRESENCE BRINGS WORSHIP
- The Samaritan woman regarded and respected Jesus as a prophet.
- She ask about the place of worship – Samaria or Jerusalem?
Worship in truth
- Worship based on God’s truth.
- Worship through Jesus (the only Way to the Father).
Worship in the Spirit
- Worship in the new realm because the Holy Spirit indwells believers.
- Worship that comes from the believers’ hearts

Unlimited Worship in the Spirit - is only limited by our extent of willingness to worship God - for who He is, not what we thought He is, but not.Worship in the Spirit is conscious and intentional worship that occurs wherever we are, and in whatever circumstances we are in… and not restricted by our preferences…

JESUS’ PRESENCE BRINGS NEWNESS
- New Creation - Hope of new life with an eternal destiny
- New Relationship
- New Wineskins

CONCLUSION :

His revelation
His renewal of worship
His refreshing newness

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Sermon Title : This man called "Jesus"
Date : 12th June 2022
Delivered by : Rev Christopher Pak

**John 10 : 22 - 32
Isaiah 6 : 9 - 10

Why did the Jews not listen?**

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” John 10:24
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, (John 10:25)
but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. John 10:26
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Are you my sheep?

Does not listen to my voice
I know them
They follow me
I will give them eternal life
They shall never perish
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—John 10:14

From a follower to a disciple

“I am God’s Son”
Look at the works and believe
That you may know and understand
The Father is in me, and I in the Father

Do I believe?

Jesus is the Messiah
Anointed One – sent by God
Jesus is the Son of God
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Conclusion

This man called Jesus:
His claims:
I am the Son of God
I am the Messiah
I am the Good Shepherd
I give you eternal life
Do you BELIEVE?

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Sermon Title : The Great Shaking
Date : 29th May 2022
Delivered by : Rev John David

**Hebrew 12 : 26, 27
Matthew 24 : 36 - 51
1 Peter 4 : 17

The Earth was shaken. being shaken
Heavens will be shaken
Church being shaken & will continue to shake**

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Sermon Title : Leading To Miracles
Date : 15th May 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Peter Khoo

1. Who you invite matter - both Jesus and His disciples were invited

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
PSALM 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2. Everything run out eventually

Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them
No matter how much you are enjoying yourself right now it will run out eventually; and everything will be lay bare. It is then that we discover what is really important - PK

3. Where do we turn to? - the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!
It is one thing to run out but we must know where to run to - PK

4. What He says matter more then what you think - Whatever He says to you, do it.

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

5. Obedience can never be over emphasize - Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

Deuteronomy 28:1 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

6. The manifestation of God's Glory always leads to deeper faith - This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

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Sermon Title : Parable of the Returning King
Date : 15th May 2022
Delivered by : Ps. James Quan

**Luke 19 : 12 - 27
Matthew 25 : 14 - 30

PARABLE OF THE RETURNING KING**

Jesus told the Parable prior to entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus dispelled the idea of an immediate kingdom of God

The Report: 1st Servant

The first servant, said: “‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’” (Luke 19:16).
The king said, ““ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ …. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’” (Luke 19:17).
This first servant was rewarded commensurate with his efforts.

The Report: 2nd Servant

The second servant had earned five more minas.
The king gave him to take charge of five cities (Luke 19:18-19).
This second servant was also rewarded commensurate with his efforts.

The Report: 3rd Servant

He did not put his mina to work. In fact, he laid it away.
This servant didn’t take the king and his business seriously.
The mina was taken away and given to the one who has ten minas (Luke 19:24-25).

The Message

When Jesus returned, He would establish His kingdom forever.
Until that time, His followers are to fulfil their responsibilities.
On His return, He would reward His servants commensurately.
Those who rejected Him as King would be judged.

*We are TO BE FAITHFUL to our call of duties.

We are TO BE TRUSTWORTHY in the use of spiritual gifting's for His kingdom services.*CALL TO REBUILD THE LORD’S ALTAR

Because of God’s amazing love, may we offer our best to God
Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with a pint of expensive perfume (John 12:1-8).
Joshua had the Israelites renewed their covenant with the LORD at Shechem (Joshua 24:1)

What were the significance of the place, Shechem?

The Place of First Love
- Joshua had built an altar to the LORD there.
- The place they had chosen to worship the LORD years ago
The Place of Faith Demonstration
- Abraham built an altar to demonstrate his faith there (Gen. 12:6–7)
- The place dedicated to rebuild broken altar, worship and services.
The Place of Forward Heading (no looking back)
- Jacob stopped and buried there the idols of his family (Gen. 35:4).
- The place to remove all forms of idolatry and leave our past behind.
- The place of new blessings and favors.

CALL TO SERVE THE COMING KING

Staying in God’s Presence
- Jesus often spent times away from the crowd.
- Jesus loved to spend time in the Father’s presence
- Jesus received refreshment for His soul, and renewal of anointing to serve.
Changing Perspectives
- From temporal to eternal (Jn. 6:27; 2 Cor. 4:18)
- From earthy to heavenly (Col. 3:1-2)
- From ungodliness to godliness
Depending on the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit lives in us (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 12:13).
- The Holy Spirit is our paraklētos (Jn 14:16; 15:26).
- The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth… (Jn 16:13; cf. 15:26).
- When the Holy Spirit comes on us, we receive power (Ac 1:8; Lk 24:49).
- The Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership on us (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13-14).
- The Holy Spirit is our seal for the day of redemption (Eph 4:30).

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Sermon Title : The Fifth Sign
Date : 8th May 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 6:16-21
Matthew 14:22-33
Mark 6:47-51

The numeral 5 in Christianity**

The number five is the number of grace and symbolizes God's goodness and favor towards people.
The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments; the first five relate to people's relationship with God, and the last five relate to people's relationship with each other.
There were five primary types of offerings that God commanded Israel to bring to him; Burnt Offering, Sin, Trespass, Grain and Peace Offering.
There were five holy wounds of Christ, one through each hand or wrist, one through each foot, and one through the chest.
The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 main sections.
There are five books of God's Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) commonly referred to as the Pentateuch ('Penta' means five)

The number 5 in God's tabernacle

Holy anointing oil is mentioned in Exodus 30:23 – 25. Its ingredients, which were given directly by God, were used to consecrate the furniture of the tabernacle. It was comprised of 5 parts, as it was a revelation of pure grace. The proportion of spices used in making the oil were a multiple of five, which then had a Hin of olive oil added to it.
Pure Myrrh, 500 shekels
Sweet calamus, 250 shekels § Cassia, 500 shekels
The 'tabernacle in the wilderness' profoundly reflects God's grace in its use of the number 5. This tabernacle, whose design was given directly by God, contained five curtains, bars, pillars and sockets (Exodus 26:3, 26 - 27, 37) and an altar made of wood that was five cubits long and five cubits wide (Exodus 27:1). The height of the court within the tabernacle was five cubits (Exodus 27:18).

The Fifth Sign: The Epiphany of God

Jesus walking on the water (sea of Galilee, Bethsaida of Galilee Mark 6:45)
Towards the end of this story, two conclusions emerged:
First, Jesus appears to the terrified disciples, assures and calms them by identifying himself, and joins them in the boat (Mark 6:50-51a)
Second, when he joins them in the boat, the winds cease and the disciples again react with great amazement (Mark 6:51b), which Mark explains to be the result of their failure to understand the previous feeding miracle (Mark 6:52)

The Responses

Two emotional responses recorded
The disciples respond out of fear rather than faith. § Reaction corresponded to that of an epiphany. First, they cannot believe their eyes and mistake Jesus for a ghost. Then they scream in fear.
Φοβέομαι - to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm of those startled by strange sights or occurrences (Jn 6:19)
Ταράσσω - to "trouble" ("agitate"), causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside ("upset"). (Mt 14:26; Mk 6:50)

The Epiphany of God

The contrast of “who is this…?” to the answer “It is I,” Ἐγώ εἰμι in this rescue story
Graphically illustrates the disciples’ lack of understanding about Jesus
The significance of “pass by them” employed similar language in the epiphany of God to Moses (Exod 33:19-23; 34:6) and Elijah (1 Kgs 19:11) as the One who “passed by them” in a moment of self-revelation – Jesus’ self-revelation to His disciples

Conclusion

The journey of faith
Presence of God manifested
Progression in trust & believe

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Sermon Title : The Boy With Five Loaves & Two Fishes
Date : 1st May 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 6: 1 - 16

The Setting**

A while after the controversy…
Great crowds followed Jesus because they had seen signs (healing of the sick)
Seeing the crowd, asked Philip - where to buy bread for them? V. 5
It was a test as Jesus had something in mind. V. 6

The Test

Philip’s response: it’s beyond us - one year’s wages needed to feed them
Andrew’s response: do what we can, and see what happens

The Master’s Touch

Jesus’ instruction: have the peoples down (5,000 men were there)
He gave thanks
He gave them as much as they wanted
Twelve baskets of leftover barley loaves

The Crowd’s Response

After they saw the sign (experienced it)
Jesus is a prophet - one who performs miracles
Wants to make him king

What was the test all about

Jesus wanted to test how Philip might respond to his question, “where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
The passage does not reveal what Jesus had in mind.
But it was clear that he knew what he wanted to do.

What Matters

The response of the individual was in focus
Philip thought it possible if they had one year’s wage - where to get that money
Andrew did what he could, found a lad with five loaves and two fish, and brings him to Jesus
The lad, though unnamed, was willing to give up his meal
Jesus gave thanks and began handling out the food to his disciples
No protest or cynicism was recorded among the disciples as jesus instructed them to hand out the food
As they follow the master’s bidding, the miraculous happened before their eyes

Conclusion

It was a lesson beyond just having faith;
It was about listening and obeying the Master’s voice

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Sermon Title : Survival Kit in times of Crisis
Date : 24th April 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Florence Teh

**Acts 27: 1 - 44

Acts 27 : 22, 25, 44**

“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.”
“So, keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.”
“… In this way everyone reached land in safety.”

Throw away unnecessary load

“… they began to throw the cargo overboard. "
“… they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.”
“… they lightened the ship by throwing the grains into the sea.”

Let go and Let God

Hebrews 12 : 1-2 “… let us throw off everything that hinders…”
Matthew 11 : 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”

Believe in the promises of God

“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
“Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”
“Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”

Keep pressing forward

“For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have gone without food - you haven’t eaten anything.”
Now I urge you to take some food. You need to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from your head.

Conclusion

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

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Sermon Title : The Significance of the Cross & His Resurrection
Date : 17th April 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 19 : 38 - 42

Importance of Symbol**

Visual
Illustrates a significance feature
Highlight beliefs

Examples of Symbols

Lotus flower
Ancient Judaism
Islam
Secular ideologies
Swastika

Christian Symbols

Fish or ichthys
- Iesus Christus Theo Huios Soter
- Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour
Cross (2nd Century)

The crucifixion of Jesus had profound impact on the disciples…

The death & resurrection of Jesus brings…A Crossroad of Decision

Joseph of Arimathea
Nicodemus
Special circumstance to cross the finishing line

Brings Faith

The other disciple, the disciple that Jesus loved
Faith that is growing
Progressive revelation

Brings Clarity & Focus

Mary Magdelene
Sadness can cloud vision & clarity
The voice of Jesus breaks through

Brings Affirmation of Faith

The other disciples
- Fear can bring confusion
- Fear can cause paralysis
Thomas
- Tangible evidence
Presence of Jesus – peace & strength

Brings Forgiveness & Restoration

Peter
Leaders among the Twelve
Failure & disappointment
Jesus sought him out

Conclusion

Drew out crypto-disciples – crossroad of decision
Brought Faith
Dispelled clouds of darkness – brought clarity & focus
Moments of doubt & insecurity – brought affirmation of faith
Sin & failure, brought forgiveness & restoration

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Sermon Title : Gethsemane : Pouring Out to Pour In
Date : 15th April 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Mark 14 : 32 - 4

The Story Good Friday**

What is it all about?
What is the significance?
Why is it so important?

Gethsemane

A place Jesus goes to regularly for prayer
Jesus gathers the disciples for a final time, final hour
Hebrew oil press - a place for squeezing oil from olives
Jesus took His closest disciples along: Peter, James & John
Crucial moment privy to inner circle
Moments in our lives only the closest have access to/share in
Jesus was deeply distressed & troubled (found only in Mark)

When others slumbers

Jesus wanted friends support in prayer & presence
The three friends could not keep awake
Friends can fail us even when they want to help
No control over circumstance, human frailty, limitations

When temptation comes

Jesus goes a little further, kneels & pray
Deep cry to God: “Abba, Father”
“If it be possible, take this cup away from me”
“Not my will, but what you will”
God’s purpose prevails, not our comfort

When pain remains

God’s will prevails
Jesus had to drink the cup of libation
Old Testament: cup of libation; cup refers wrath of God against human sin & rebellion
To satisfy the debt of sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

He drank my cup

The kiss of betrayal
The abandonment of friends
The separation from God
That I may be saved

The Story of Good FridayFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17, NIV)

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Sermon Title : Jesus Wept - The World Need Not Weep
Date : 10th April 2022
Delivered by : Ps. James Quan

**Luke 19 : 41 - 44

Beginning Palm Sunday**

Jesus entered Jerusalem for his final week of His life
Jesus passionately went to the cross to suffer death for our sin

The People: Shout Hosanna!

Hebrew phrase: hoshiya na, meaning “Save, please!” or “Please, I beg you to save us!”
Psalm 118:25, “LORD, save us!” [is similar to hoshiya na] refers to an urgent cry for help, an appeal to the LORD to save and deliver.
Therefore, the people’s praises were an expression of joy for deliverance granted and anticipated.
Psalm 118:26a, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.” the Psalmist began to recognize that God would send help – to save, deliver and rescue them.

The Pharisees: Know the Scripture, But Not the Savior

The Pharisees, who knew the Scripture, understood the significance of the events that declared Jesus as the Messiah or King.
They expected Him to free them from the Roman’s clutch…
But that was not what He came for.

Jesus Wept for the City He Loves: Why?

The people were oblivious: Unrecognizing of God’s time
- Its people did not understand the significance of what was going on.
- Its people did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them.
- Jesus had compassion… and he wept of its impending downfall.
- Pray the Lord’s prayer, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
- Recognize the time of God’s grace we are living in… “As long as it is day, we must do the works….” (John 9:4)
- See and taste Jesus’ immeasurable love (cf. Luke 15:20)
The people were obstinate: Unrepentant of their spiritual condition
- Jesus wept not for his own gruesome suffering.
- Jesus wept for the stubborn, sinful, and spiritual blindness of the city.
- Jesus wept for those who had rejected and would reject Him.

Parable of the Ten Minas

The Reason
- “… the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” (Luke 19:11)
- But Jesus dispelled their idea.
The Parable
- A man of noble birth who went away… and then will return as king.
- Before the noble man left, he gave minas to His servants to put them to work until he returns.
- There were people who did not want the noble man as their king.
- One day, the noble man returned as king, and he sent for his servants to give him an account
Report Card
- First servant: Well done, my good servant! Take charge of 10 cities.
- Second servant: He was praised too. Take charge of 5 cities.
- Another servant: He complained and did not put his mina to work. His mina was taken away…
Response: How can we love God in return?
- We are to be diligent to our call of duties and in the use of spiritual giftings.
- Because of God’s immense love, may we offer our best to God in our love for Him – in worship and service

CONCLUSION

Grasp the immensity of Christ’s love for us and the world – that no one need to weep forever.
Fill to the measure of all the fullness of God – in our walk, worship and works of service for Jesus Christ our Lord.
Live for the sake of Christ’s kingdom purpose and glory – until He returns as our eternal King and to reward us accordingly.

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Sermon Title : Jesus - The Mercy of God Revealed
Date : 6th April 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 5 : 1 - 15

The Occasion**

Bethesda - ”house of mercy”
A great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. v4.

Do you want to get well?

What are the reasons or excuses we offer for our circumstance or condition?
“I have no one to help me”
“While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” v. 7

Misconception

First come, first served basis to God’s mercy?
How much do we desire it?
This man has been invalid for 38 years…

Misplaced focus or priority

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” v. 9b – 10
I just did as I was told: “Pick up the mat and walk.”

Inconvenient truth

Show us the culprit! (v. 12)
Jn 9:1 – 33: The healing of a man born blind
- Who sinned? Parents’ or his fault
- How can a sinner perform such signs? (v. 16b)
- Give God the glory & tell us the truth…this man who healed you is a sinner (v. 24)
- I was blind but now l see” – Does God listen to sinners

He knew me before I knew him

The invalid did not know who healed him (v. 13)
I followed his command: “Pick up your mat and walk.” (v. 11)

God desires mercy over judgment

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hos 6:6)
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic 6:8)
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mat 9:12 – 17)

When hearts are harden…

The Jewish leaders want to find the “smoking gun”
But what about the signs & wonders…
A sinner cannot do such works…

Conclusion

“Do you want to get well?”
Misconceptions
Misplaced focus or priority
Inconvenient truth
He knew me before I knew him
God desires mercy over judgment
Don’t let your heart be harden

God is merciful

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:31
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; Daniel 9:9

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Sermon Title : Our Unchanging God
Date : 27th March 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Mun

**1 Samuel 15:29
Malachi 3:6

IMMUTABILITY …**

unchanging over time
unable to be changed

Our only HOPE in life is this: God NEVER changes!
Whatever GOD IS, He ALWAYS IS. God ALWAYS IS what He is!The 4 truth of God’s immutability

God’s Promises Never Change
- Abraham was GIVEN a PROMISE in Genesis 15 that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky.
- Romans 4 tells us that Abraham believed against all hope. He KNEW the odds were against him
- Abraham dialled in to God’s PROMISE. He KNEW that God would NEVER change WHAT He had promised to accomplish.
God’s PURPOSES Never Change
- Why does GOD NEED to take an oath to show that HIS PURPOSES NEVER CHANGE? Isn’t HIS WORD enough?
- An oath is a confirmation of the integrity of God’s Word. God’s purpose WILL NEVER change, and WE CAN HAVE His word on it
God’s Personality Never Changes
- Abraham’s faith rested on the UNCHANGING character of God.
- We can count on God’s PERSONALITY to be the same today as it was yesterday and it will be like tomorrow! God DOES NOT change!
- Abraham believed that God told the TRUTH about Himself, and God was TRUE to His personality, which He expressed in 2 unchangeable ways…
  • the original promise,
  • the OATH He took to fulfill that promise.
- What would happen IF God’s personality changed? •We would never pray
  •We would never trust Him or venture out in faith
  •We would never ask for His help
God’s PEOPLE Can Change
- This HOPE of change is an ANCHOR for YOUR SOUL…
  - Your soul NEEDS an anchor
  - Your soul is prone to drift
- Life and its uncertainties may shake us, but GOD WHO DOES NOT move WILL SUSTAIN US.
- The anchor serves another PURPOSE as well. The Biblical image here is ONE of moving ahead IN safety and confidence BY casting OUR anchor forward
- Jesus IS the anchor for OUR soul that Hebrews 6:19 says is “firm and secure.”

God is ALL about changinglives.

He DOES NOT change, YOU and I CAN change. … WE CAN change or better yet,

WE MUST change!

Once WE KNOW God through Christ,

WE WILL change. OUR unchanging GOD delights IN CHANGING His people.

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Sermon Title : Give All for One Glory
Date : 20th March 2022
Delivered by : Ps. James

**Give All for One Glory : 1 Samuel 13 : 16 - 22 ; 14 : 6 - 23

1 Samuel 13:16–22 (NIV)**

Ramp-up fear to fight (13:16-18)

Three raiding parties in three directions.
The Israelites’ fear ramped up.
Our fear ramps-up when we …
- remove our focus on Jesus
- trust in ourselves rather than in the Lord

Restrict ability to fight (13: 19-22)

The Philistines had prevented the Israelites from making weapons.
This had restricted the Israelites’ abilities to fight their enemy.

Powerless believers

Stop praying to the Lord.
Stop depending on the Holy Spirit.
Stop uniting as a church.

Faithless believers

Stop meditating on the Word of God.
Stop putting love actions into their faith life.

Onlooker believers

Stop coming together as one body.
Stop serving to build-up and equip the church.
Stop involving in Christ’s kingdom works.

**1 Samuel 14:6-23 (NIV)
How faith and love in God can be restored?

Johnathan and armour bearer (14:6-14) - Training the spiritual muscles of faith**

The enemy’s challenge was a sign of victory.
A small victory but great success because God was with them.
Johnathan and his armor-bearer had their parts to play.

Saul and his armies (14:15-20) - Found in the Spirit’s conduit of power and love

Saul saw that the Philistines panic stricken.
He immediately assembled his men for the battle.
As God showed signs of His presence and power, Saul and his armies caught on the courage to fight.

Other Israelites (14:21-22) - Catch on and move with the Spirit

As the people saw God’s will unveiled, they joined in the battle.
People catch on our spirit.

CONCLUSION - GOD IS CALLING US TO GIVE ALL …

to train our spiritual muscles to be built-up.
to welcome the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, and be found in His direct path.
to desire the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts to impact lives in Jesus’ name.

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Sermon Title : The Portrait of Jesus
Date : 13th March 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**The Portrait of Jesus : John 4 : 43- 54

Healing of the noble man’s son: TO BELIEVE or NOT TO BELIEVE**

After the changing of water into wine at Cana (2:1-12)
Near Passover, cleansing of the temple (2:13-25)
“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up again in three days” (v. 19)
Conversation with Nicodemus (3:1-21)
Jesus & disciples baptising others (3:22-36; 4:1-2)

The Power of the WordThree gospels picked up this saying of Jesus: “that a prophet is not honour by his own”

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. (John 4:19)
(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) (John 4:44)
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” (Matt. 13:57)
“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. (Luke 4:24)
Three gospels picked up this saying of Jesus
It was a powerful indictment
Perhaps, they saw him as ordinary

The Power of Believe & Obedience

Three gospels picked up this saying of Jesus “that a prophet is not honour by his own”
“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. (John 4:19) - Samaritan woman
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (v. 50b)
Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed. (v. 53)
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” (v. 48)

Signs & Wonders

11 references on signs & wonders the New Testament
2x reference to DECEIVE
9x reference to BELIEVE

Choice: Believe or Deceive

11 references on signs & wonders the New Testament
Deceive (Matt 24:24 & Mark 13:22)
Believe (John 4:48; Acts 2:19; 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 7:36; 14:3 & 15:12)

Believe By Faith

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28 - 29)

God’s Word: Logos & Rhema

Confusion over LOGOS λόγος and RHEMA ῥῆμα
New Testament usage
John 1:1 ὁ λόγος – Logos
A spoken word, made "by the living voice"
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word ῥῆμα about Christ (God). (Romans 10:17)

The Pre-requisite

The Word of Christ (logos or rhema)
Acceptance or Believe

What Must I Do?

Acceptance
Believe by faith

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Sermon Title : How can this be?
Date : 6th March 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**How can this be? - John 3 : 1- 9

Flesh vs Spirit**

The perennial problem of our finite understanding
Education, philosophy, logical are limited to human ability
Natural vs Supernatural

Nicodemus

Who was he?
A learned religious leader
Jewish ruling council
Comes to Jesus at night

We are like Nicodemus

How can this be?
Is it that simple?
Two spheres, two dimensions

Who can see God's Kingdom?

Nicodemus can’t comprehend
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” (v.4)
Known to the unknown
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:50

The miracle of being born-again

Flesh gives birth the flesh: following its own kind & DNA
Spirit gives birth to spirit
Analogy of the wind

How can this be?

The working of God’s Spirit
Testify of what we have seen – people do not accept our testimony
Earthly things – you do not believe
What more heavenly things…how will you believe?

JESUS – GOD’S ONLY SON, MY SAVIOUR

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:16-21)

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Sermon Title : Keep the beat, God's CPR
Date : 27th Feb 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Michael Ho

Keep the beat, God's CPR - Joshua 1 : 1 - 9Today I will be taught the Word of God, I boldly confess My prayer life will be strengthened

My witnessing will be sharper and

much more effective

My attitude and outlook will begin to change

My mind will become more alert and observant

My confidence and assurance will be enhanced and my faith will be solidified.CommandStudy this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you doPromiseI will be with you every step of the way!ResultFor then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success

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Sermon Title : Longing For Our Loved
Date : 20th Feb 2022
Delivered by : Ps.James Quan

**Longing for our Loved - Song of Songs 3:1-4

To long for Christ as our loved**Christ is our Saviour

Escape sin condemnation ie. death
Enjoy eternal or everlasting life.

Christ is our Source of Life

The Gate
Sheep enter into safety.
Sheep find pasture of life provision.
Reliance in Jesus.

Christ is our Soul Lover

Jesus is the Good Shepherd
He laid down his life for His sheep.
He humbly died on the cross for us.
He loves our soul too much not to give up His life to redeem our soul.

How to seek Christ whom we loved

Look Where We Had Lost Him

by restraining prayer
due to sin
by neglecting the Word
by forsaking the assembling together

Hold On to Him and Not to Lose Him Again

lo-raphah
“to not leave or abandon”
“to keep a protective grasp on something

Love Him Deeply So Not to Lose Him (in the first place)

She was deeply in love.
She was willing to risk herself.
She was persistent and patient

CONCLUSIONLong for Jesus as our loved because…

Jesus is our Saviour, Source of Life and Soul Lover.

Seek Jesus whom we loved by…

looking where we had lost Jesus
holding on to Jesus, and not to lose Him again
loving Jesus deeply so not to lose Him

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Sermon Title : The Portrait of Jesus (pt.2)
Date : 13th Feb 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Luke 2: 13 - 25 - The Living Temple to God

The Cleansing Of The Temple**

First great public act of Jesus' ministry
Matthew, Mark & Luke gospels - sparked off the opposition
John's portrayal of Jesus

what sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” v. 18
Semeion, sign

Point to something beyond themselves.
God at work,
Meant to teach spiritual truths
Specifically pointing to God.

The Focus

After Jesus’ resurrection - they believed
At the point of the cleansing of the temple, they could not understand
Progressive revelation

Why Was Jesus Angry?

Only section open to Gentiles
Trading distracted & blocked the entrance
The very purpose of the temple was blurred

now while he was in Jerusalem at the passover festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. v.23

The changing of water
The example of Nicodemus

The Importance Of This Story

Jesus is the ONLY TRUE TEMPLE - mediation to God
Because His spirit gives birth to our spirits, we have become the temple of the living God

The Importance of The Temple - The Church

Don’t you know that you yourselves are god’s temple and that god’s spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys god’s temple, god will destroy that person; for god’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. (1 Cor 3:16)
The corporate body
Protect, build & strengthen

The Importance of The Temple - Your Body

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from god? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies. (1 Cor 6:19)
To honour God
To serve Him

How Is Your Temple?

Jesus drove the traders away
Jesus cleansed it that no distraction, interruption, barrier stand in the way
Jesus stands at the door of our hearts & knocks

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Sermon Title : The Portrait of Jesus
Date : 6th Feb 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Luke 1: 29, 26 - Lamb of GodWhat so special about this title?

Used 4x in the New Testament
John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19

THE SIN BEAREROld Testament

Lamb used as a guilt offering Nu. 6:12
Carries the meaning of sin-bearer (v. 29)

New Testament

John describes Jesus as “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”

THE PERFECT SACRIFICEOld Testament

Individuals
Nation

New Testament

Sin of the world

THE PRESENSCE OF GOD - EMMANUELOld Testament

Sin offering
Opens way for people to come before God through New Testament
The reality of God coming into human history
God’s presence among His people

Conclusion

The Sin Bearer
The Perfect Sacrifice
The Presence of God - Emmanuel

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Sermon Title : The Touch That Reveals
Date : 23rd Jan 2022
Delivered by : Ps. Gurmit Singh

Mark 1 : 40 - 41Now a leper came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. “If you are willing, you can make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be clean!”

**The Touch That Reveals

Christ’s Touch Revealed His Brotherhood

Christ’s Touch Revealed His Divine Authority

Christ’s Touch Revealed God’s Restfulness

Christ’s Touch Revealed God’s Uplifting Power**

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all

of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

― Leo Buscaglia

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Sermon Title : Holiness A Worthy Pursuit
Date : 16th Jan 2022
Delivered by : Ps. James

**Joshua 5 : 13 - 6 : 5

Three questions**

Why should we worship God in holiness?
What would bring us to worship God in holiness?
What worth (significance) would there be to worship God in holiness?

Why should we worship God in holiness?

*Every Christian has the responsibility to guard their inner life and outer walk in all areas of their lives.

As Christians, we are to become completely conform to God’s perfect and holy will as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification in our lives.*

What would bring us to worship God in holiness?

We must look up to heaven, that is we must desire to look on the Lord in all His holiness. It means…

We must hunger and thirst for the Lord
We must draw near to the Lord
We must seek and find the Lord

It means we must bow down in reverence before the Lord and harken our ears to hear from Him so that…

He may speak words of peace and comfort to and through us.
He may change our perspectives from unholiness to holiness.
He may reveal to us His will that is in heaven to be fulfilled in and through our lives.

It means we must recognize and respect God’s holiness for…

It is the right thing to do to honour the holy God.
Jesus taught us to pray, ““Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be treated as holy.” – Matthew 6:9 (LEB)
It is the beginning of God’s revelation of his calling, direction, and plan for our lives…

What is the message to Christians today?In order to step forward in our holy faith, we are to…

constantly prepare our mind or consciously gird our mind to follow Christ,
constantly obey the Holy Spirit’s leading and the Holy Scripture teachings, and
constantly trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.
Sober means to be self-controlled.
To be free from every form of mental and spiritual excess.
To be directed from above and within in daily life by the anointing and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Christians to be determined in their holy living, and never give up until the Lord’s return...

What worth (significance) would there be to worship God in holiness?

There will be divine assurance
There will be divine instructions
There will be supernatural miracle

CONCLUSIONLIVE IN HOLINESS by looking up to see God in all His holiness.

When you have looked up and seen God in all His holiness…

you will bow down and worship Him in reverence;
you will give Him the due recognition and respect;
you will begin to desire to be holy in all you do;
you will ask the Lord to speak so that you may follow after Him; and
you will experience His assurance, leading or direction, and have victory or success, miracle and healing in God’s timing and will, and also receive His salvation or deliverance.

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Sermon Title : Faith In A New Season
Date : 2nd Jan 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Hebrews 10 : 19 - 25

Israel’s Experience**

■ Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. (Joshua 3: 1 – 4a)

■ From the wilderness into the Promised land

■ From the first generation which left Egypt into the Wilderness

■ From the second generation entering the Promised land

New & Living Way■The old way of animal blood sacrifices to enter the Most Holy Place

■The mediator – high priest who himself needed sanctification

■The new & living way –blood of Jesus

■The new has replaced the old forever

New Season: What has not changed■There is one way: the ONLY WAY

■Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

■There is one approach: by grace through faith

■For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8)New Season: 3 things we must do■ Let us draw near to God (v. 22)

■ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (v. 23)

■ Let us consider how to spur one another (v. 24)

Let us draw near to God ■ One attitude: with a sincere heart

■ One understanding: with the full assurance of faith

■ One criterion: having our hearts cleansed from sin & guilt

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess ■ to hold fast, keep secure, keep from possession of

■ What we hold on to is very important

■ Hope gives life, energizes, renews

Let us consider how to spur one another ■ To consider attentively

■ To fix one’s eyes or mind upon

■ Purposeful thinking towards a goal

■ Incitement towards positive goals

■ Love & good works

Conclusion : Faith in a new season

3 things we must do:

■Let us draw near to God (v. 22)

■Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (v. 23)

■Let us consider how to spur one another (v. 24)

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Sermon Title : The Faith Test
Date : 9th Jan 2022
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Hebrews 11 : 1 - 6•Faith means blind obedience
•Faith is like a kevlar vest
•The amount of faith that I have is all-important
•Positive thinking

The Example of Abel•2nd son of Adam & Eve (Genesis 4:2)

•Murdered by Cain after God accepted his sacrifice, and not Cain’s

•Abel’s name (הֶבֶל, hevel) means “breath” or “vapor.”

•Used to describe the brevity of life (Job 7:16; Psalm 39:5; Ecclesiastes 6:12)

•Brings into focus the importance of the first-fruit concept

The Example of Enoch•7th generation from Adam

•Great-grandfather of Noah; He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed. ” (Genesis 5:29)

•First character in the Bible did not die, with God

•Life span of 365 years (ref solar year of 365 days?)

•Father to Methuselah (longest lived person @ 969 years)

What does GOD test faith on?•And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

•By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, (Hebrews 11:17)

•The best known example of man’s being tested by God (Genesis 22:1 – 19)

•God Himself comes into the life of Abraham – puts his faith and obedience to the test

•Abraham withstands the test by obeying the command of God

•He takes Isaac to the altar of sacrifice

The test of faith: Do I fear God?•“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. Genesis 22:12

•Do I fear God?

•Obedience to His Word without withholding anything

•Trust in Him at His character & His Word even when it seems illogical

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Sermon Title : Spiritual Recovery
Date : 7th January 2021
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Nehemiah 2:1-20

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Sermon Title : Pursuing Renewal
Date : 12th February 2021
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Nehemiah 1:1-11

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Sermon Title : God's Presence, God's Church, God's People
Date : 31st January 2021
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Ephesians 2:11-22

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Sermon Title : Re-establish Allegiance
Date : 10th January 2021
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

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Sermon Title : Hebrews
Date : 3rd January 2021
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Hebrews 12: 1- 3

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Sermon Title : Concluding 2020 With Hope
Date : 27th December 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Genesis 50 : 19-21
Romans 8 : 22-30

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Sermon Title : Christmas : Hope In This Season
Date : 25th December 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Luke 2 : 13 - 20

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Sermon Title : Finish The Unfinished Work
Date : 26th July 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Dr. Samuel Ng

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Sermon Title : Living In the Light of Eternity
Date : 5th July 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

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Sermon Title : Three Fruits To Bear
Date : 12th July 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

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Sermon Title : A Call To Declare
Date : 19th July 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

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Sermon Title : Overcoming Together with God
Date : 28th June 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Wendy Ching

Exodus 17:8-13

- God works in different ways to help us in our battles
- God want us to fight together with him so that we can see that we can win together with God. We can gain the skills and strength of character as we take up the privilege of joining God in our battles.
- Presumptuous faith dictates to God on how he must work. We cannot confine God to our expectations on how He should help solve our problems.
- Rather God expects us to take personal responsibility and common sense when faced with battles.
- It is important to know that what happens in the spiritual realm affects the physical realm. Our prayer and trust in God has the power to change the outcome of a situation.
- Prayers is not supplemental to winning the battle, it is foundational.
- We do our part, take action when action needs to be taken, plan and strategize but God is the one who determines the outcome of the battle.
- Fatigue in prayer and fighting life’s battles happens to the best among us because it demands effort and perseverance.
- We need to help one another in our prayers just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands in prayer. Reason is that some battles go on for a long time. God wants us to encourage one another and be a blessing to each other.
- Together in prayer we can overcome and change what is happening in the physical realm.

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Sermon Title : Overcoming Together with God
Date : 28th June 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Wendy Ching

Exodus 17:8-13

- God works in different ways to help us in our battles
- God want us to fight together with him so that we can see that we can win together with God. We can gain the skills and strength of character as we take up the privilege of joining God in our battles.
- Presumptuous faith dictates to God on how he must work. We cannot confine God to our expectations on how He should help solve our problems.
- Rather God expects us to take personal responsibility and common sense when faced with battles.
- It is important to know that what happens in the spiritual realm affects the physical realm. Our prayer and trust in God has the power to change the outcome of a situation.
- Prayers is not supplemental to winning the battle, it is foundational.
- We do our part, take action when action needs to be taken, plan and strategize but God is the one who determines the outcome of the battle.
- Fatigue in prayer and fighting life’s battles happens to the best among us because it demands effort and perseverance.
- We need to help one another in our prayers just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands in prayer. Reason is that some battles go on for a long time. God wants us to encourage one another and be a blessing to each other.
- Together in prayer we can overcome and change what is happening in the physical realm.

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Sermon Title : The Fatherhood of God
Date : 21st June 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Thessalonians 2: 7-12

The Portrait of Mona Lisa**

The portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre, Paris has a misleading look.
Was she smiling? Was she sad? It has remained a mystery! Her portrait is still debated today.
What did Da Vinci intended to portray?

The Picture of God: A Father - Child Relationship

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, the first image and allusion was the Fatherhood of God.
God was depicted in the light of parenthood
This portraits set the tone for all of us as parents.

Our Remembrance…

Some of us remember our fathers in a variety of ways.
If we were accomplished artists, each will depict our fathers very differently.
The way we interpret the MEANING AND UNDERSTANDING when Jesus refers to God as Our Heavenly Father (more precise - Our Father who is in heaven).

Old Testament…

God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – God of the patriarchal fathers
God like a father
“and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
As a father carries the new born, out of Egyptian bondange…

Dear Child of God…

As a painter paints on an empty piece of canvas…
Allow the Lord to paint the picture of who He is as Father.
Let it be a portrait that every father, every parent exemplifies – Christian or otherwise.

The Picture of God: Nurturing Relationship

The arrival of a new born
The fragility of the head, neck & body
The proper support needed…

The Old Testament

When Moses’ sister asked pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, gave birth to a son… “Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.”

New Testament

As a nursing mother is ready to impart not only her milk to them, but her life for them
- The idea of bringing up to strength and maturity – cherish, cares (to keep warm)
- The Picture of God keeping us safe and warm

The Picture of God: LOVING FERVENTLY

Protracted Action (himeiromai)
The word used here is: Not agape or phileo
Instead, Paul uses a terminology that expresses a deep longing to share the best
The apostles talked about BOTH love and impartation
Love and the desire to impart are key to our understanding
of the Fatherhood of God
He does not ONLY want to love. He loves by imparting to
His object of love
He makes it tangible and experiential

The Picture of God: ALWAYS AT WORK IN OUR LIVES

Paul talks about their toil & hardship
- A parent always have that in mind – they work hard in the hope of a better future for the children.
- They are willing to go at great lengths to do that.
Our Heavenly Father is always at work
- “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too
  am working.” (John 5:17)
- He is at work even now as we meet today!

Conclusion

The Picture of God
- Father - child relationship
- Nurturing - relationship
- Loving Fervently
- Always at work in our lives

View Details

Sermon Title : The Fatherhood of God
Date : 21st June 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Thessalonians 2: 7-12

The Portrait of Mona Lisa**

The portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre, Paris has a misleading look.
Was she smiling? Was she sad? It has remained a mystery! Her portrait is still debated today.
What did Da Vinci intended to portray?

The Picture of God: A Father - Child Relationship

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, the first image and allusion was the Fatherhood of God.
God was depicted in the light of parenthood
This portraits set the tone for all of us as parents.

Our Remembrance…

Some of us remember our fathers in a variety of ways.
If we were accomplished artists, each will depict our fathers very differently.
The way we interpret the MEANING AND UNDERSTANDING when Jesus refers to God as Our Heavenly Father (more precise - Our Father who is in heaven).

Old Testament…

God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – God of the patriarchal fathers
God like a father
“and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
As a father carries the new born, out of Egyptian bondange…

Dear Child of God…

As a painter paints on an empty piece of canvas…
Allow the Lord to paint the picture of who He is as Father.
Let it be a portrait that every father, every parent exemplifies – Christian or otherwise.

The Picture of God: Nurturing Relationship

The arrival of a new born
The fragility of the head, neck & body
The proper support needed…

The Old Testament

When Moses’ sister asked pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, gave birth to a son… “Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.”

New Testament

As a nursing mother is ready to impart not only her milk to them, but her life for them
- The idea of bringing up to strength and maturity – cherish, cares (to keep warm)
- The Picture of God keeping us safe and warm

The Picture of God: LOVING FERVENTLY

Protracted Action (himeiromai)
The word used here is: Not agape or phileo
Instead, Paul uses a terminology that expresses a deep longing to share the best
The apostles talked about BOTH love and impartation
Love and the desire to impart are key to our understanding
of the Fatherhood of God
He does not ONLY want to love. He loves by imparting to
His object of love
He makes it tangible and experiential

The Picture of God: ALWAYS AT WORK IN OUR LIVES

Paul talks about their toil & hardship
- A parent always have that in mind – they work hard in the hope of a better future for the children.
- They are willing to go at great lengths to do that.
Our Heavenly Father is always at work
- “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too
  am working.” (John 5:17)
- He is at work even now as we meet today!

Conclusion

The Picture of God
- Father - child relationship
- Nurturing - relationship
- Loving Fervently
- Always at work in our lives

View Details

Sermon Title : Choices, Compromises & Consequences
Date : 14th June 2020 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Judges 13: 2 - 5

Decisions affect our future & eternity**

Decision in the career path
Decision on our life partner as spouse
Decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour
Decision in stand firm and remains faithful to God

The Story of SamsonWe see in the Bible that decisions we made can affect us for eternity.

We want to look at the life of Samson. He was one of the Judges, in a time where Israel was in anarchy “people did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
He was born with a purpose – to deliver Israel from her enemies.
Manoah’s wife received a visitation from an angel of the Lord, and the message to her was that she will give birth to a baby, even though she was sterile.
He asked the Lord in prayer, Let the man of God come to us to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born”
This man understood it was a gift from God and he needed to be a good
steward, that this child should be brought up according to what God had
intended.
He was to be a Nazarite. What is a Nazarite?
- No fermented drink
- Eat no unclean things
- No razor
Manoah & his wife did that and the records shows that God blessed
Samson (Judges 13:24-25).
Beginning well is important
Ending well, is most important

It started right…

Samson’s request to marry a Philistine woman at Timnah
His parents protested against his choice
(His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.).
It was God’s directed (we can’t always understand His ways)
As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Then it turned a corner…

Samson defiled himself - He killed a lion and later, ate honey from the dead carcass. This was against Hebrew laws.
‘If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt;
Started out according to God’s plan, but ignored obedience to God’s Word

Samson presumption of invincibility

Unlike the earlier account when God directed him to marry a young Philistine woman @ Timnah
Samson slept with a prostitute
Delilah was clearly trying to entrap Samson
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
We are called to be light (Samson - sun). No fellowship with darkness (Delilah
- languishing)

The last straw…

By rejecting the conviction of the Spirit continually, we may turn away from Jesus forever.
When we test and cross the boundaries too much
We can lose it without knowing it

ConclusionWe will do well to avoid these three in choices that we make:

SPIRITUAL DEFILEMENT
SPIRITUAL COMPROMISE
SPIRITUAL ABANDONMENT

View Details

Sermon Title : Choices, Compromises & Consequences
Date : 14th June 2020 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Judges 13: 2 - 5

Decisions affect our future & eternity**

Decision in the career path
Decision on our life partner as spouse
Decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour
Decision in stand firm and remains faithful to God

The Story of SamsonWe see in the Bible that decisions we made can affect us for eternity.

We want to look at the life of Samson. He was one of the Judges, in a time where Israel was in anarchy “people did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
He was born with a purpose – to deliver Israel from her enemies.
Manoah’s wife received a visitation from an angel of the Lord, and the message to her was that she will give birth to a baby, even though she was sterile.
He asked the Lord in prayer, Let the man of God come to us to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born”
This man understood it was a gift from God and he needed to be a good
steward, that this child should be brought up according to what God had
intended.
He was to be a Nazarite. What is a Nazarite?
- No fermented drink
- Eat no unclean things
- No razor
Manoah & his wife did that and the records shows that God blessed
Samson (Judges 13:24-25).
Beginning well is important
Ending well, is most important

It started right…

Samson’s request to marry a Philistine woman at Timnah
His parents protested against his choice
(His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.).
It was God’s directed (we can’t always understand His ways)
As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Then it turned a corner…

Samson defiled himself - He killed a lion and later, ate honey from the dead carcass. This was against Hebrew laws.
‘If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt;
Started out according to God’s plan, but ignored obedience to God’s Word

Samson presumption of invincibility

Unlike the earlier account when God directed him to marry a young Philistine woman @ Timnah
Samson slept with a prostitute
Delilah was clearly trying to entrap Samson
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
We are called to be light (Samson - sun). No fellowship with darkness (Delilah
- languishing)

The last straw…

By rejecting the conviction of the Spirit continually, we may turn away from Jesus forever.
When we test and cross the boundaries too much
We can lose it without knowing it

ConclusionWe will do well to avoid these three in choices that we make:

SPIRITUAL DEFILEMENT
SPIRITUAL COMPROMISE
SPIRITUAL ABANDONMENT

View Details

Sermon Title : A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Date : 7th June 2020 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Peter 2 : 9 - 12

The Existence of Two Kingdoms**

We live in the Now and Not-Yet
John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus declared that the kingdom of God is here
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The Realms of the Two Kingdoms

Kingdom of Heaven
- The realm of God’s rule
- Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
- I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

The Conflict of the Two Kingdoms

Paul’s Description that there’s a war taking place
The Law versus the Spirit
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
It is a hopeless fight if we depend on human ability and capacity
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

The Foundation of our lives
- For you are a chosen people - to declare His glory
  - Chosen race - not our ethnicity, culture...but the people of God.
  - We bear the mark of God in our lives.
  - Our chosenness validates our identity and value

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A Royal priests
- Used 3x in Bible
- Literally, Kingdom of Priests
- Priests stand between God and the people...

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A Holy nation
- A holiness that has nothing to do with us (our own doing)
- To embody who God in us, reflecting His nature

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A People belonging to God
- Belonging is basic innate nature of a person
- God’s possession

Duality of our Identity

These four aspects (chosen people, royal priests, holy nation, God’s possession) deal with our identity - who we are - our being.
The second portions - to declare the praise - what we do

The Finality of the Two Kingdoms

The kingdom of God: everlasting, reigns forever and ever
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The end has been prophesied, the outcome decided
Kingdom of God will prevail over Satan’s kingdom

Peter’s Exhortation to Us

Human life is fleeting, with all its trappings
God’s Word endures forever
We are liken to be aliens & sojourners
Emphasis on temporal nature of this present life
Live good lives to glorify God

View Details

Sermon Title : A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Date : 7th June 2020 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Peter 2 : 9 - 12

The Existence of Two Kingdoms**

We live in the Now and Not-Yet
John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus declared that the kingdom of God is here
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The Realms of the Two Kingdoms

Kingdom of Heaven
- The realm of God’s rule
- Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
- I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

The Conflict of the Two Kingdoms

Paul’s Description that there’s a war taking place
The Law versus the Spirit
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
It is a hopeless fight if we depend on human ability and capacity
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

The Foundation of our lives
- For you are a chosen people - to declare His glory
  - Chosen race - not our ethnicity, culture...but the people of God.
  - We bear the mark of God in our lives.
  - Our chosenness validates our identity and value

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A Royal priests
- Used 3x in Bible
- Literally, Kingdom of Priests
- Priests stand between God and the people...

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A Holy nation
- A holiness that has nothing to do with us (our own doing)
- To embody who God in us, reflecting His nature

The Underlining Truth of God’s Kingdom

A People belonging to God
- Belonging is basic innate nature of a person
- God’s possession

Duality of our Identity

These four aspects (chosen people, royal priests, holy nation, God’s possession) deal with our identity - who we are - our being.
The second portions - to declare the praise - what we do

The Finality of the Two Kingdoms

The kingdom of God: everlasting, reigns forever and ever
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The end has been prophesied, the outcome decided
Kingdom of God will prevail over Satan’s kingdom

Peter’s Exhortation to Us

Human life is fleeting, with all its trappings
God’s Word endures forever
We are liken to be aliens & sojourners
Emphasis on temporal nature of this present life
Live good lives to glorify God

View Details

Sermon Title : Pentecost
Date : 30th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Dr.Victor Lee

Learning Outcome
To know: The Empowerment for Global Mission
To do: Speak in other languages

Creating the Hook

When is the birthday of the church? It is on the Day of Pentecost.
- Even though Jesus has assembled a band of disciples, but the mission of the Church is empowered when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers.
- The Pentecost marks the new era, where God’s Spirit vividly dwells among His people, and the people become the ambassadors of God.
Let us revisit the eventful day of Pentecost and be reminded of God’s mission for the believers.

Going Deeper

Pentecost (literally “the fiftieth part”)
- Festival of New Grain – thank God for the gifts of the grain harvest
- Seven weeks after Passover
- Since Israel arrived at Mount Sinai in the third month after leaving
  Egypt, later Rabbis connect Pentecost with the celebration of the
  giving of the covenant at Sinai.
- This is one of the three festivals where Jews will return to
  Jerusalem.
Pentecost as the reversal of Babel
- Genesis 11:1–9 (NIV)
  1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2
  As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and
  settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks
  and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and
  tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city,
  with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a
  name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of
  the whole earth.” 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the
  tower the people were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people
  speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then
  nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us
  go down and confuse their language so they will not understand
  each other.” 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the
  earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called
  Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole
  world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the
  whole earth.
- God enables the believers to speak in different languages, and
  unite the people
Pentecost is the Closing Act where God restore his creation, starting with
people.
- The Pentecost phenomenon is a part of the fulfillment of Joel’s
  prophecy
The Church is God’s instrument for global transformation
- Spirit-Empowered
  - The Spirit of God is directly involved in energizing and
    sustaining the Church.
  - The Church is not a man-made agenda, it is God’s agenda.
- Outgoing (mission focused)
  - Reaching out is a must, not a choice
  - Evangelism is our mission, not our program
  - Believers are empowered with boldness and wisdom
- Diverse (multi-cultures)
  - Spirit of God enables us to speak in different languages
  - Reaching out to different
    - Ethnic groups
    - Social groups
    - 7 cultural mountains:
      - Religion
      - Family
      - Education
      - Government
      - Media
      - Art and Entertainment
      - Business
    - Expect the Church to be diverse
  - God Centered (message)
    - The Gospel is the answer for the world
    - God is the center of our Church, and our lives
    - We are to be part of God’s Kingdom, not building our own
      tower of babel.

View Details

Sermon Title : Pentecost
Date : 30th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Dr.Victor Lee

Learning Outcome
To know: The Empowerment for Global Mission
To do: Speak in other languages

Creating the Hook

When is the birthday of the church? It is on the Day of Pentecost.
- Even though Jesus has assembled a band of disciples, but the mission of the Church is empowered when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers.
- The Pentecost marks the new era, where God’s Spirit vividly dwells among His people, and the people become the ambassadors of God.
Let us revisit the eventful day of Pentecost and be reminded of God’s mission for the believers.

Going Deeper

Pentecost (literally “the fiftieth part”)
- Festival of New Grain – thank God for the gifts of the grain harvest
- Seven weeks after Passover
- Since Israel arrived at Mount Sinai in the third month after leaving
  Egypt, later Rabbis connect Pentecost with the celebration of the
  giving of the covenant at Sinai.
- This is one of the three festivals where Jews will return to
  Jerusalem.
Pentecost as the reversal of Babel
- Genesis 11:1–9 (NIV)
  1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2
  As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and
  settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks
  and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and
  tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city,
  with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a
  name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of
  the whole earth.” 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the
  tower the people were building. 6 The LORD said, “If as one people
  speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then
  nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us
  go down and confuse their language so they will not understand
  each other.” 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the
  earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called
  Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole
  world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the
  whole earth.
- God enables the believers to speak in different languages, and
  unite the people
Pentecost is the Closing Act where God restore his creation, starting with
people.
- The Pentecost phenomenon is a part of the fulfillment of Joel’s
  prophecy
The Church is God’s instrument for global transformation
- Spirit-Empowered
  - The Spirit of God is directly involved in energizing and
    sustaining the Church.
  - The Church is not a man-made agenda, it is God’s agenda.
- Outgoing (mission focused)
  - Reaching out is a must, not a choice
  - Evangelism is our mission, not our program
  - Believers are empowered with boldness and wisdom
- Diverse (multi-cultures)
  - Spirit of God enables us to speak in different languages
  - Reaching out to different
    - Ethnic groups
    - Social groups
    - 7 cultural mountains:
      - Religion
      - Family
      - Education
      - Government
      - Media
      - Art and Entertainment
      - Business
    - Expect the Church to be diverse
  - God Centered (message)
    - The Gospel is the answer for the world
    - God is the center of our Church, and our lives
    - We are to be part of God’s Kingdom, not building our own
      tower of babel.

View Details

Sermon Title : The Coming Revival
Date : 24th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Joel 2: 28 - 30

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days
I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.

John Knox’s Prayer

“One man with God is always in the majority”

Knox’s prayer was not an arrogant demand, but the passionate plea of a man willing to die for the sake of the pure preaching of the gospel and the salvation of his countrymen.
Knox’s greatness lay in his humble dependence on our sovereign God to save His people, revive a nation, and reform His church.
Knox believed neither in the power of his preaching nor in the power of his prayer, but in the power of the gospel and the power of God, who sovereignly ordains preaching and prayer as secondary means in the salvation of His people.

There is a coming revival after this pandemic

There are similarities to what we read in
The similarities are glaring & we must prepare ahead

When Alarms are Sounded…

There is a great sense of urgency: the two calls for alarm and the rapid-fire imperatives of verses 15-16.
Theirs sins may have been great, but so is Yahweh’s mercy
Repentance before restoration
The promise of relief, compensation and blessing.

There is a coming revival…

New grain, new wine and olive oil
Secured border
Do not be afraid, be glad - He has done great things
The pastures becoming green, trees bearing fruit, I will send abundant rain
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord
your God, who has worked wonders for you;

Epic event: I will pour out my Spirit…

Where God’s Spirit dwelt only in selected few…
I will pour out my Spirit on all people
Your sons & daughters will prophesy
Your old men will dream dreams
Your young men will see visions
Even on servants
I will show wonders in heavens and on the earth
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

A Summon to Penitential Prayer…“return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and
mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord
your God,”There is a coming revival…

The pandemic only reveals the frailty of human existence
Whether it is term God’s wrath or not, whatever perception we hold…
The darkest night brings forth the brightest day…

Preparing for the Revival…

Rend our hearts, not our external “garments”
Humble ourselves
Seek His face
Turn from our wicked ways
God will hear & heal!

Conclusion

John Knox had been exiled from Scotland to England by the French
Later in England, forced to resign and leave the country for Geneva, Switzerland
Came back to Scotland
His famous cry to God, “Give me Scotland or I die”

View Details

Sermon Title : The Coming Revival
Date : 24th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Joel 2: 28 - 30

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days
I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.

John Knox’s Prayer

“One man with God is always in the majority”

Knox’s prayer was not an arrogant demand, but the passionate plea of a man willing to die for the sake of the pure preaching of the gospel and the salvation of his countrymen.
Knox’s greatness lay in his humble dependence on our sovereign God to save His people, revive a nation, and reform His church.
Knox believed neither in the power of his preaching nor in the power of his prayer, but in the power of the gospel and the power of God, who sovereignly ordains preaching and prayer as secondary means in the salvation of His people.

There is a coming revival after this pandemic

There are similarities to what we read in
The similarities are glaring & we must prepare ahead

When Alarms are Sounded…

There is a great sense of urgency: the two calls for alarm and the rapid-fire imperatives of verses 15-16.
Theirs sins may have been great, but so is Yahweh’s mercy
Repentance before restoration
The promise of relief, compensation and blessing.

There is a coming revival…

New grain, new wine and olive oil
Secured border
Do not be afraid, be glad - He has done great things
The pastures becoming green, trees bearing fruit, I will send abundant rain
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord
your God, who has worked wonders for you;

Epic event: I will pour out my Spirit…

Where God’s Spirit dwelt only in selected few…
I will pour out my Spirit on all people
Your sons & daughters will prophesy
Your old men will dream dreams
Your young men will see visions
Even on servants
I will show wonders in heavens and on the earth
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved

The pandemic only reveals the frailty of human existence
Whether it is term God’s wrath or not, whatever perception we hold…
The darkest night brings forth the brightest day…

Preparing for the Revival…

Rend our hearts, not our external “garments”
Humble ourselves
Seek His face
Turn from our wicked ways
God will hear & heal!

Conclusion

John Knox had been exiled from Scotland to England by the French
Later in England, forced to resign and leave the country for Geneva, Switzerland
Came back to Scotland
His famous cry to God, “Give me Scotland or I die”

View Details

Sermon Title : The Way Maker & My Journey
Date : 17th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 10:1-18
Ezekiel 34:11-16

“THE PARADOX OF HEARING GOD… WHY DO PEOPLE SAY THEY HEAR GOD BUT SO FEW CAN EXPLAIN IT?”

“NOTHING IS MORE CENTRAL TO THE PRACTICAL LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN THAN CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S INDIVIDUAL DEALINGS WITH EACH PERSON.”

The Times that John Lived…**

The times of the New Testament was filled with mixed feelings.
Some expected the Messiah, a political messiah to come. A shepherd who would come to rescue and lead the nation, the flock out of the dominance of an occupying force.
Some felt that God has abandoned them.
Sometimes we felt this way with circumstances in our personal lives.

The Times that John Lived…

These feelings however were not unexpected. Why?
- The sign of the Emmanuel given to king Ahaz was rejected.
- No expectation of the miraculous in the lives of the people.
- Now, comes a servant who would suffer for the wayward people - astray and lost - to show God’s loving.
The typical scene of the Hebrew setting: A pendulum swing from one extreme to the other end. From a place: No regard for the Law of God to “too much” regard for the Law.

~ Jesus came to demonstrate the difference of a good shepherd and a hireling, a hired hand ~THE WAY MAKER GUIDES ME

Finds grass and water in a dry and stony land
Protects his charges, flock from the weather and from the fierce creatures
Retrieves any strayed animals
Accountable for the flock.

THE WAY MAKER KNOWS ME & I KNOW HIM

The shepherd knows the sheep
Not only knows the sheep – but knows each one intimately
This comes from years of experience and handling the flock.
It comes with going through thick and thin with the sheep.
The Lord knows us through and through.
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

THE SHEEP KNOWS THE SHEPHERD

The sheep could confidently graze in green pastures under the watchful eyes of the shepherd – they are confident of the protection he provides.
There is this consciousness that the Lord watches over me.
The psalmist says in Ps 121:3, He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;
Does not mean we will never go through pain or sorrow; Yet, the assurance is that when we go through any of these , He will not allow our foot to slip.
The Promise of Protection. The Lord is thy keeper. All verses except verse 6 employ the Hebrew word (shamar) to emphasize this idea of God's guardianship.
Unlike the sentry who occasionally slumbers, or Baal, who has to be awakened (cf. 1 Kings 18:27), the Lord never slumbers or sleeps.
Note that the conclusion applies to the pilgrims in that God preserves them in every phase of their journey, seeing them safely home.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Good (kalos) Shepherd, – To contrast over the claims of the shepherd gods of Hellenism or contemporary leaders of the people
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen 50:20, NIV)
There is a design and plan
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

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Sermon Title : The Way Maker & My Journey
Date : 17th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**John 10:1-18
Ezekiel 34:11-16

“THE PARADOX OF HEARING GOD… WHY DO PEOPLE SAY THEY HEAR GOD BUT SO FEW CAN EXPLAIN IT?”

“NOTHING IS MORE CENTRAL TO THE PRACTICAL LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN THAN CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S INDIVIDUAL DEALINGS WITH EACH PERSON.”

The Times that John Lived…**

The times of the New Testament was filled with mixed feelings.
Some expected the Messiah, a political messiah to come. A shepherd who would come to rescue and lead the nation, the flock out of the dominance of an occupying force.
Some felt that God has abandoned them.
Sometimes we felt this way with circumstances in our personal lives.

The Times that John Lived…

These feelings however were not unexpected. Why?
- The sign of the Emmanuel given to king Ahaz was rejected.
- No expectation of the miraculous in the lives of the people.
- Now, comes a servant who would suffer for the wayward people - astray and lost - to show God’s loving.
The typical scene of the Hebrew setting: A pendulum swing from one extreme to the other end. From a place: No regard for the Law of God to “too much” regard for the Law.

~ Jesus came to demonstrate the difference of a good shepherd and a hireling, a hired hand ~THE WAY MAKER GUIDES ME

Finds grass and water in a dry and stony land
Protects his charges, flock from the weather and from the fierce creatures
Retrieves any strayed animals
Accountable for the flock.

THE WAY MAKER KNOWS ME & I KNOW HIM

The shepherd knows the sheep
Not only knows the sheep – but knows each one intimately
This comes from years of experience and handling the flock.
It comes with going through thick and thin with the sheep.
The Lord knows us through and through.
Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

THE SHEEP KNOWS THE SHEPHERD

The sheep could confidently graze in green pastures under the watchful eyes of the shepherd – they are confident of the protection he provides.
There is this consciousness that the Lord watches over me.
The psalmist says in Ps 121:3, He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber;
Does not mean we will never go through pain or sorrow; Yet, the assurance is that when we go through any of these , He will not allow our foot to slip.
The Promise of Protection. The Lord is thy keeper. All verses except verse 6 employ the Hebrew word (shamar) to emphasize this idea of God's guardianship.
Unlike the sentry who occasionally slumbers, or Baal, who has to be awakened (cf. 1 Kings 18:27), the Lord never slumbers or sleeps.
Note that the conclusion applies to the pilgrims in that God preserves them in every phase of their journey, seeing them safely home.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Good (kalos) Shepherd, – To contrast over the claims of the shepherd gods of Hellenism or contemporary leaders of the people
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen 50:20, NIV)
There is a design and plan
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

View Details

Sermon Title : Fix Your Eyes
Date : 10th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Hebrews 12: 1 - 3“Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.”

The times of believers in Hebrews

Persecuted church, believers
Hebrews written to Jewish Christians in face of persecution & discouragement
Hebrews written remind & strengthen believers to endure hardship for gospel’s sake
It was a rally point, exhorting Christians to refocus, redirect attention

What we fix our eyes matters

We live in a noisy world and constant distractions can make focus difficult
The current pandemic has shut out much of the noises temporarily
As the nations of the world emerge from lockdowns, the noisiness of life inevitably increases
We need to cut through the noise and distractions to continue to grow and develop in our faith in Jesus

Fix Our Eyes on JesusThe example of Peter (Matthew 14:22-33)

Disciples in the lake, strong waves
Seasoned fishermen, fearful
Thought they saw a ghost
Jesus says, “Take courage. It is I”
Peter responded, if it if you Lord, tell me to come
Obeyed and started walking on water!
Eyes on Jesus, walked on water; eyes off, sinks

Fix Our Eyes on the Cross

We are commanded to carry our cross daily
What does it means to carry the cross
Willing to pursue the Father’s will
Willing to lay down one’s life in order to find it

The Meaning of the Cross

It was the designated perfect , sinless sacrifice - God’s Only Son
But God’s Word describes “it is a power (dunamis) of God”
It requires faith (believe) and one must act upon it (profess)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Fix Our Eyes on Those Before Us

Jesus taught His disciples to count the cost
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Men & women of faith before us, throughout the generations
To inspire us, to learn from them - that we are overcomers
That we can start and finish the journey!
That which hinders & entangles
Throw off sin that so easily entangles

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Run with perseverance, hupomeno
Emphasis: an action which requires effort
To remain under pressure - pressing to the end in spite of difficulties
“Race” - a place of contest, conflict
A race not of our choosing, but marked out for us (by God)
God’s athletic programmer to hone faith

SPIRITUALITY requires effort and determination.
There is no short cut! It comes through patient
endurance… hupomeno ~ Pastor Christopher Pak

View Details

Sermon Title : Fix Your Eyes
Date : 10th May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Hebrews 12: 1 - 3“Fix your eyes forward on what you can do, not back on what you cannot change.”

The times of believers in Hebrews

Persecuted church, believers
Hebrews written to Jewish Christians in face of persecution & discouragement
Hebrews written remind & strengthen believers to endure hardship for gospel’s sake
It was a rally point, exhorting Christians to refocus, redirect attention

What we fix our eyes matters

We live in a noisy world and constant distractions can make focus difficult
The current pandemic has shut out much of the noises temporarily
As the nations of the world emerge from lockdowns, the noisiness of life inevitably increases
We need to cut through the noise and distractions to continue to grow and develop in our faith in Jesus

Fix Our Eyes on JesusThe example of Peter (Matthew 14:22-33)

Disciples in the lake, strong waves
Seasoned fishermen, fearful
Thought they saw a ghost
Jesus says, “Take courage. It is I”
Peter responded, if it if you Lord, tell me to come
Obeyed and started walking on water!
Eyes on Jesus, walked on water; eyes off, sinks

Fix Our Eyes on the Cross

We are commanded to carry our cross daily
What does it means to carry the cross
Willing to pursue the Father’s will
Willing to lay down one’s life in order to find it

The Meaning of the Cross

It was the designated perfect , sinless sacrifice - God’s Only Son
But God’s Word describes “it is a power (dunamis) of God”
It requires faith (believe) and one must act upon it (profess)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Fix Our Eyes on Those Before Us

Jesus taught His disciples to count the cost
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Men & women of faith before us, throughout the generations
To inspire us, to learn from them - that we are overcomers
That we can start and finish the journey!
That which hinders & entangles
Throw off sin that so easily entangles

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Run with perseverance, hupomeno
Emphasis: an action which requires effort
To remain under pressure - pressing to the end in spite of difficulties
“Race” - a place of contest, conflict
A race not of our choosing, but marked out for us (by God)
God’s athletic programmer to hone faith

SPIRITUALITY requires effort and determination.
There is no short cut! It comes through patient
endurance… hupomeno ~ Pastor Christopher Pak

View Details

Sermon Title : Molded into His Image
Date : 3rd May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Peter 1:3 - 9

Peter’s Circumstance - What was going on then?**

Trials exist
Unjust suffering was a possibility
Fiery ordeal was imminent
In spite of persecution that Peter faced under Emperor Nero, he responded in thanksgiving.
We know from church history that Peter was martyred. He asked that he turned upside down as he was not comparable to his Master. So Peter was crucified upside down

Our Circumstance - What is going on now?

We can all learn to offer thanksgiving to God our Saviour.
There is a two-fold emphasis here:
Fixing our eyes on the eternal – our hope in glory
Overcoming in the present circumstances – to help us grow in maturity – our sanctification process

Molded by the Mercy of God

Mercy in the NT
Eleos – mercy or compassion (active – tender mercy)
The motivation was out of His mercy
He gave us new birth, salvation
A new birth into a living hope

A New Birth… Salvation

We were not given new birth into despair and turmoil
As we look at the world today, we are concerned by what our children have to face.
We wished for them to be born into a better environment and future – a positive climate

A New Birth… Into a Living Hope

The promise of God - fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection
He took our ugliness and hopelessness
He did not remain dead; He rose from the dead. Dead man cannot fulfill his promises; but one who is risen and alive CAN!

A New Birth… Into an Inheritance

What kind of inheritance?
When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have peace, love and
joy.
These are first-fruits of greater things to come.
What is the nature of this inheritance?
It is an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Redeemable fully in heaven

The Idea of Inheritance…

For a Jew, first born is given a double portion of the family inheritance.

The Mercy of God Shown to Us…

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Change in status: sinner to saints

Molded by Trials & Adversities

The cost of discipleship
We have blessings
We have trials and testings

Trials…Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. (James 1:2-4)

Testing…These have come so that the proven genuineness of your
faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though
refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:7)

Trials & Testing…

Fire: to purify, remove impurities
Fire: to test quality

Trails can lead us to maturity as describe in the Word of God

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint
us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Rom 5:3-5, NIV).

“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according
to his purpose."

View Details

Sermon Title : Molded into His Image
Date : 3rd May 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Peter 1:3 - 9

Peter’s Circumstance - What was going on then?**

Trials exist
Unjust suffering was a possibility
Fiery ordeal was imminent
In spite of persecution that Peter faced under Emperor Nero, he responded in thanksgiving.
We know from church history that Peter was martyred. He asked that he turned upside down as he was not comparable to his Master. So Peter was crucified upside down

Our Circumstance - What is going on now?

We can all learn to offer thanksgiving to God our Saviour.
There is a two-fold emphasis here:
Fixing our eyes on the eternal – our hope in glory
Overcoming in the present circumstances – to help us grow in maturity – our sanctification process

Molded by the Mercy of God

Mercy in the NT
Eleos – mercy or compassion (active – tender mercy)
The motivation was out of His mercy
He gave us new birth, salvation
A new birth into a living hope

A New Birth… Salvation

We were not given new birth into despair and turmoil
As we look at the world today, we are concerned by what our children have to face.
We wished for them to be born into a better environment and future – a positive climate

A New Birth… Into a Living Hope

The promise of God - fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection
He took our ugliness and hopelessness
He did not remain dead; He rose from the dead. Dead man cannot fulfill his promises; but one who is risen and alive CAN!

A New Birth… Into an Inheritance

What kind of inheritance?
When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have peace, love and
joy.
These are first-fruits of greater things to come.
What is the nature of this inheritance?
It is an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Redeemable fully in heaven

The Idea of Inheritance…

For a Jew, first born is given a double portion of the family inheritance.

The Mercy of God Shown to Us…

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Change in status: sinner to saints

Molded by Trials & Adversities

The cost of discipleship
We have blessings
We have trials and testings

Trials & Testing…

Fire: to purify, remove impurities
Fire: to test quality

Trails can lead us to maturity as describe in the Word of God

“And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according
to his purpose."

View Details

Sermon Title : Courage in New Norms
Date : 26th April 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Joshua 1:1-9

Moses - 1st Generation Leader**

Moses the great was dead
He led Israel for forty years
Out of Egypt & in the Wilderness
He was described as “no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face"

Joshua - 2nd Generation Leader

Joshua - one of the twelve spies
Together with Caleb, convinced that with God’s help, they could possess the Promised Land (Numbers 14:8-9)
He saw Israel’s slavery in Egypt end
Participated in the first Passover, experienced the miraculous Red Sea crossing, witnessed God’s supernatural signs & judgments in the wilderness
Moses’ assistant, demonstrated deep and strong devotion and heart for God
Learned the joys of following God and the difficulties of leading the people from Moses

The Emphatic Commands...

Get ready to cross the Jordan River
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of
fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not
he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers
that fear.” ~ Nelson Mandela ~ Creatures of habit

Changes unwelcome
Tried & tested give sense of confidence
Travel patterns - most use familiar routes
Waze - when unchartered routes proposed

Get Ready to Cross Boundaries

It was not a sudden affair
It took 40 years of wondering, walking & waiting
A new generation of Israelites with the passing of the older generation
But the time for transition has come: “Moses my servant is dead...”
The mourning period of 30 days was over
Get ready after three days...follow the Ark (“Then you will know which way to go, since
you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
God’s grace will not lead us to a place where it cannot sustain us.
God knows the way ahead!

New Experiences, but same God Almighty

In the Wilderness, pillar of cloud & fire showed the way
In the Promised Land, Ark of God
No more pillar of cloud & fire, no more manna (day after Passover when they ate produce of the land)
It was a new experience to eat some else than manna
God’s presence was manifested varied ways

Careful to obey

God’s presence would be with them
God’s promise of the Promised Land was conditioned upon “be strong and courageous”
Joshua was to be well-assured, courageous, not alarmed
He was to rely firmly upon the Lord and His promise
In the day of “new norms”, we are called upon to do the same.
The importance of listening & following God’s voice & word

The pivotal idea of obedience...

It was key to the act of possessing the Promised Land
It was key to keep possession of the Promised Land
It is the constant to all the Promises of God

Conclusion

Courage in New Norms
Readiness to cross boundaries
Careful obedience
Face fear or discouragement - God’s presence

View Details

Sermon Title : Courage in New Norms
Date : 26th April 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Joshua 1:1-9

Moses - 1st Generation Leader**

Moses the great was dead
He led Israel for forty years
Out of Egypt & in the Wilderness
He was described as “no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face"

Joshua - 2nd Generation Leader

Joshua - one of the twelve spies
Together with Caleb, convinced that with God’s help, they could possess the Promised Land (Numbers 14:8-9)
He saw Israel’s slavery in Egypt end
Participated in the first Passover, experienced the miraculous Red Sea crossing, witnessed God’s supernatural signs & judgments in the wilderness
Moses’ assistant, demonstrated deep and strong devotion and heart for God
Learned the joys of following God and the difficulties of leading the people from Moses

The Emphatic Commands...

Get ready to cross the Jordan River
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Changes unwelcome
Tried & tested give sense of confidence
Travel patterns - most use familiar routes
Waze - when unchartered routes proposed

Get Ready to Cross Boundaries

It was not a sudden affair
It took 40 years of wondering, walking & waiting
A new generation of Israelites with the passing of the older generation
But the time for transition has come: “Moses my servant is dead...”
The mourning period of 30 days was over
Get ready after three days...follow the Ark (“Then you will know which way to go, since
you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
God’s grace will not lead us to a place where it cannot sustain us.
God knows the way ahead!

New Experiences, but same God Almighty

In the Wilderness, pillar of cloud & fire showed the way
In the Promised Land, Ark of God
No more pillar of cloud & fire, no more manna (day after Passover when they ate produce of the land)
It was a new experience to eat some else than manna
God’s presence was manifested varied ways

Careful to obey

God’s presence would be with them
God’s promise of the Promised Land was conditioned upon “be strong and courageous”
Joshua was to be well-assured, courageous, not alarmed
He was to rely firmly upon the Lord and His promise
In the day of “new norms”, we are called upon to do the same.
The importance of listening & following God’s voice & word

The pivotal idea of obedience...

It was key to the act of possessing the Promised Land
It was key to keep possession of the Promised Land
It is the constant to all the Promises of God

Conclusion

Courage in New Norms
Readiness to cross boundaries
Careful obedience
Face fear or discouragement - God’s presence

View Details

Sermon Title : The Prayer of the Church
Date : 19th April 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Ephesians 3:14 - 21

Paul’s prayer begins with the expression...**

“For this reason ...”
His prayer is based upon good reason, and that reason is the purpose of God - the purposes of God are the basis for Paul’s prayers.
God had purposed to redeem fallen men, both Jews and Gentiles, for the praise of His glory and grace

Paul does not pray for ...

The material prosperity of the Ephesian saints
Their prevention, removal, or quick relief from pain
Their physical health and well-being
Their emotional or psychological well-being
Because they are often inconsistent with God’s purposes and with the way in which He works in the lives of His children

“Paul’s prayer is shaped by the purpose of God.”The Prayer for the Church...

Pray for a Thankful church
Pray for a church which knows her destiny

In the midst of adversities...

Can make or break us
Our response defines it
Paul leads the way to what we pray for - the prayer of the church

“Same boiling water that hardens egg but will soften potato. It depends upon individual’s response to stressful circumstances!”Pray for Strength

Paul’s intense attitude in the way he approaches God
- Among the Jews, it was common to stand and pray
Kneeling was an expression of deep emotion / earnestness.
- Solomon knelt at the dedication of the temple
- Stephen at the time of his stoning unto martyrdom
Paul came before God in earnestness for others.
If we are in difficulty, we are the ones praying most earnestly to God
BUT Paul teaches us to pray earnestly for other – to the same as we would for ourselves.
The manner of the prayer of the church for others is earnestness - sincere and intense conviction

Jesus taught us to pray...

“Our Father”
Paul’s idea of “Father”
- Not all under heaven and on earth have God as Father.
- Only those who would call Him – established the relationship through Jesus Christ – could address Him as “Heavenly Father.”
- But yet, significantly, it gives us the source idea of fatherhood: its existence, concept and experience came from God.
Remember Jesus said, “If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more then the heavenly Father...”

Pray for strength FROM the Father FOR others

In proportion to God’s riches
Not just in your circumstances.
Enough not just to survive, but to THRIVE.
By praying for strength, we are actually asking this: that the person may be equipped with power (dunamis) so that he is able to stand firm in Christ, to live for Him and work for Him (1 Cor. 16:13; Phil. 4:13).
In no other way does the power to strengthen come except through the agency of the Spirit. He comes into the inner being and strengthens us.

Pray for Christ to dwell in our Hearts

When Christ dwells in our hearts, we are strengthened
Two words used: rooted (agricultural) & established (architectural) reflecting strong foundation
Strengthened from within, radiate out to others
Love is the evidence
Faith in action

Power to grasp & know the love of Christ

Love cannot be experienced alone
It can only be comprehended in the context : together with the saints”

The Goal

Prayer answered
God is to be glorified

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Sermon Title : Isolated But Not Alone
Date : 12th April 2020 (Easter Sunday)
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Mark 16: 1 – 8

AS THE WOMEN WALK TO THE TOMB OF JESUS**Hearts were…

Heavy with sadness
Discouraged
Defeated
Isolated from the disciples of Jesus

Images replayed…

Re-lived the pain
Etched in the mind
Can’t be erased
Unbearable

Scenario

Jesus has been crucified, dead & buried in a tomb
Key leaders have deserted, disbanded, hiding
Disorientated, leaderless
All was lost

AS THE WOMEN WALK TO THE TOMB OF JESUS…

WHO WILL ROLL AWAY THE STONE?

Big obstacle
Don’t have the strength or ability
The men were not there!

Have you ever experienced lonely walks?

They did not want it, but had t
They had to face with the reality that their Lord and Master was dead.
They saw it with their own eyes.
Even Jesus was not spared of it!
He said “Let this cup pass, but not your will.”
All of us have to WALK in paths that
we don’t desire at times.
These walks can define us.
It affects our heart, feelings,
emotions & outlook of life.

It was a WALK of SUBMISSION

Yielded to the Father’s will
Surrendering oneself
Doubts & Fears
Disappointments & Discouragements

DECISION TO MAKE: SURRENDER & YIELD

The four ladies had to surrender & yield themselves, in order to follow through on their obligations.
It’s a walk when your faith is being tested.
BUT He has also assured us that He would WALK this lonely path WITH US!

Have you ever been worried?

40% of those things will never happen
30% of those things that we worry about are in the past, and that can't be changed
12% are about criticism by others, which is mostly untrue
10% are about health issues, which only gets worse with stress
And it is estimated that 8% of our worries are about real problems that will be faced in our lives.
8% are worth having concern and thoughts on them.

It was a WALK by Faith, not by SightPractical in their thinking and reasoning,
Consumed with their own reasoning and understanding,
FAITH and HOPE left and WORRY and DOUBT set in!
The battle begins – in the mind!DECISION TO MAKE: TRUST WITH YOUR HEART

WORRY & ANXIETY are faith killers
Fears, disappointments & doubts
Satan – father of lies & his deception

Have you encountered God personally?

NOT our job to roll the stones away,
NOT our job to have all the right answers,
NOT our job to worry about HOW God is going to do it,
NOT our job to worry over tomorrow,
Love Jesus!
Pursue Jesus!
Devoted to Jesus!
Trust Him!

DECISION TO MAKE: ENCOUNTER GOD PERSONALLY

God is willing
God always welcome
God always love

The Most Important Christian Doctrine

If Christ has not risen from the dead
IF There was no resurrection from the dead
preaching would be in vain
faith therefore would be futile
worse still, believers are liars
thus, believers are to be pitied more than all men

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Sermon Title : Forsaken, but not Forgotten
Date : 10th April 2020 (Good Friday)
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**Matthew 27:46
Mark 15:34

The Cry of Jesus**

Of the four gospels, Matthew and Mark recorded this very significant cry
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

What does forsaken means?

The feeling of abandonment
The feeling of hopeless and despair
The feeling that God is a distance away
Strong Concordance: to leave behind in some place (let remain over – positive sense); to desert, forsake, leave (negative sense)

Psalm 22:1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?David’s Agony

His opening prayer speaks of abandonment
Though he feels abandoned, and those around him think he’s abandoned – he did the wise thing: pray
Divine silence and distance – pain can conjure accusations, doubt and unbelief against God’s goodness and promises
Suffering affects the self-esteem, a sense of rejection
A sense of worthlessness can creep in, depression can easily set in
But the lamp of faith is not extinguished in God’s silence or distance

Jesus hanging on the cross

God’s holiness and demands on sin’s payment placed him there
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Even in silence, He is still God.
Even in pain, the memory of God’s past faithfulness
gives a seed of hope
Jesus experienced this overwhelming distress in His crucifixion
Coupled with this, the accusation, the mocking of the crowds “He saved others; He cannot save Himself
We cannot comprehend the sense of abandonment that Jesus felt as He hung on the cross
The experience of separation from God as He bore the sins of the world
The rejection by those He came to save
The deep sense of isolation from God the Father
All these because He obeyed the Father’s will
Jesus died forsaken so that we would never have to be forsaken
By His death, He restored to those who trust Him a right relationship with God (1 Peter 1:19)
John recorded the all important phrase, “It is finished” (John 19:30)

Conclusion

If you are feeling forsaken, a sense of abandonment
If you are experiencing “the silence”, “the distance” from God…
Remind yourself this: Even in silence, He is still God.
In the death of Jesus, in the silence of God, Matthew and Mark recorded, the curtain of the temple torn in two, from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38)
Forsaken, but not forgotten
Isolated, but you are not alone.
God is still on the throne!

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Sermon Title : Possessing the Mind of Christ In the Midst of Adversities
Date : 5th April 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

**1 Cor. 2:1 – 16

Various mindsets about to God**

Atheists – do not believe in God OR that God exists.
Agnostics – impossible to know whether God exists or not.
Gnostics –have special knowledge or revelation of God.
Man look to the stars and nature to know God

The Pursuit of God

The pursuit of God – is not on any of these basis.
Man does not have the ability or capacity to know God unless He initiates such revelation.
The self-revelation of God – He chose to reveal Himself to us
The word of God - He is knowable, near to all who seek Him.

Importance to our faith

Continue to stay steadfast
Continue to grow in our faith
Continue to have purpose and hope

The importance to have the mind of Christ

Hebrews 1:3 tells us that “the Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being,
2 Cor. 4:4 tells us that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers
Mind - seat of thought and memory: the center of consciousness that generates thoughts, feelings, ideas, and perceptions and stores knowledge and memories

The futility of HUMAN WISDOM - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

The gospel - plan of salvation
It could not come in the fashion of human wisdom – in superior speech or superior wisdom.
Came in weakness and fear
The human perspective would rest on cleverness and strength, abilities and capacity to do and achieve things.

NOT BASED ON HUMAN WISDOM - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

It did depend or follow the pattern of human wisdom.
It came with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power
The key reason for such a dependence: that our faith does not depend on human wisdom but on God’s power (2:5)

Key principle

God moving in the midst of our weakness.
We experience His anointing & empowerment as we serve Him & when we know that we really have not much to give to Him.
Set on allowing God to accomplish according to His time, power and design.

THE SPIRIT reveals GODThe Comparison between God’s WISDOM & man’s wisdom

The rulers could not understand God’s wisdom – a wisdom that is hidden
The revelation could only come by and through the Spirit of God

We have received the Spirit of God

We have not received the spirit of the world
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God
It is a spiritual man whose mind is guided by the Lord

THE SPIRIT BRINGS GOD’S REVELATIONApplication

The mind of one is in Christ does not judge things or makes an evaluation based on human wisdom.
It is not saying that there is no value in human wisdom.
The key emphasis is in trying to understand spiritual truths with the human wisdom – it will not be possible.
The unregenerate mind cannot and will not accept what God says.
A human heart whose life is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can!

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Sermon Title : Comfort in the Midst of Storm
Date : 29th March 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

40 years of wilderness

The Israelite wandered in the Wilderness for forty years. In spite of the Wilderness experience, the scripture clearly indicated that God’s presence was with them:
Exodus 40:38, “So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and ﬁre was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels
Deut 1:33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in ﬁre by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go

Paul’s Challenges

Inﬁltration of false teachings challenging Paul’s personal integrity and authority as apostle
Preparation for the believers to complete the collection for the poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem.
Faced with such challenges in this city, the believers are reminded that God is able to meet every of their needs, even in times of extreme difﬁculties. He is able to comfort us in all and every situation.

Know Who We Are (2 Cor. 1:1-3)Paul address the Christians:

the church of God: Ekklesia - called out ones
Saints - the set apart ones, being made holy
Knowing who we are in Christ, we know who to turn to for help
God is mindful of our situation, and Christians be conscious of their conduct and testimony.

Know who God is (2 Cor. 1:4-6)Description of God :

Father of compassion
Jesus was moved with compassion
God of all comfort
John’s gospel use the same word - Comforter
God is mindful of our situation, and Christians be conscious of their conduct and testimony.

Hardship & Suffering in Christian Perspective

The model of Jesus
The example of Paul’s suffering
Produce patient endurance, hupomene
“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus”

Know Your Destiny (2 Cor. 1:7-11)The surety of our hope in Christ

In spite of severe pressure - beyond ability to bear, leading to despair
But, Paul and friends might not rely on themselves, but on God
As he set his eyes and hope in God, deliverance comes

Hope & Comfort Flow

Prayers of many
Avenue where comfort ﬂows
Results in thanksgiving to God
In turn, we testify of His goodness
Multiplies the comfort for others in need of comfort and help

The Robin and the Sparrow
“Said the robin to the sparrow, I should really like to know, Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.” Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend I think that it must be, that they have no Heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me.”
~**Elizabeth Cheney

“God’s peace is not the calm after storm. It is the steadfastness during it”**

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Sermon Title : Approaching UncertaintiesDate : 22nd March 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

We live in a volatile and uncertain world
Covid-19 has ravaged nations all over the world
● Job loss
● Fear of infection
● New norms of living

1st Step - Praise

A. Paul was in a very stressful situation. He was not sure if he would come out alive from the Rome prison.
Paul understood that by rejoicing in the Lord, his faith would be strengthened.
The idea of Kairo (rejoice) here is significant.
The object of joy is God because salvation belongs to Him.
The physical condition / surrounding may not change. But there is an internal
change within the one who rejoices in the Lord.
The attitude towards the situation will change -- a surge in faith will affect our attitude
The 1st step to overcome our fear and anxiety is to rejoice in the Lord. Take time to praise God. It will change our perspective.

2nd Step - Pray

Do not be anxious
We get anxious when we feel we have so much to do that we do not know where to start.
We may feel paralyzed. We are in a state of confusion.
But in the state of confusion we can regain back our composure.
When we pray:
⮚ We allow God to intervene into our situation.
⮚ We acknowledge our faith in God.
⮚ It also glorifies God.
⮚ The element of Thanksgiving (eucharisteo) is included. In essence
thanksgiving is reserved for God.
The result is: The PEACE of God which transcends all understanding, WILL GUARD
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we are troubled -- it is difficult to think straight / carefully / objectively.
Our minds get confused and muddled-up.
This peace WILL GUARD -- the hearts and minds of the people.

3rd Step - Think / Meditate / Ponder

With our heart and minds secured / tightly guarded, we are then to focus our mind on good, positive things. Do not allow wild imagination!
The 3rd step is a preservative measure in order that we do not lapse back into our original condition.
Change your focus...sing a song to God.
What we think affects us.

4th Step - Practice

Be doers of the word, not merely hearers.
Principles that we have learned are only good when we learn to apply them.
Illustration: Learning the principles of how to dance and actually dancing
Result The God of Peace WILL BE WITH you.

CONCLUSION
1) Praise
2) Pray
3) Ponder
4) Practice

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Sermon Title : Anointed to Serve
Date : 12th January 2020
Delivered by : Rev. Christopher Pak

Anointed To Serve

Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be gloriﬁed.

Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the LordTwo Scenarios: Isaiah

Northern Israel conquered by the Assyrians, refugees ﬂee to Judah
Judah - greatest spiritual and moral decline - backslide
Marked by irresponsible leaders, idolatry
Warning to not trust in foreign alliance, but in Go

Two Scenarios: Luke

Israel: Roman Empire yoke
Looking for the coming Messiah to deliver them (politically)
Spiritual vacuum; pharisaic adherence to Torah & interpretation

The Anointed Messiah’s Role

Preaching the good news to the poor, the humble and the suffering
Healing the spiritually and physically sick and brokenhearted
Breaking the hold of evil and setting people free from sin and satanic control
Opening people’s spiritual eyes and be saved
Jesus had been baptised by John the Baptist - Spirit descending like a dove (Matt. 3:16)
Jesus - “full of the Holy Spirit” - led to be tempted in the wilderness for 40 days (Luke 4:1)
Returns “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14) - begins ministry, teaching in synagogues

The Anointed Rejected at Nazareth

Full of the Holy Spirit - led to be tempted
Returned in the power of the Spirit - begins ministry
Reading the scroll of Isaiah and declares “Today this Scripture is fulﬁlled”
Seized him, wanted to throw him off the cliff (Luke 4:29)
But He walked through the crowd… (v. 30) Amazing!

Jesus’ Commission

Go and Make Disciples of all nations
- Baptizing them in name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Teaching them to observe all I have commanded
I am with you always!

Dr William Menzie

Author: Anointed to Serve: The Story of the Assemblies of God
Documents the Azusa Street revival of 1906 to the founding and ﬂourishing of the fellowship
Preaching on Jesus as Saviour
“Preaching, Healing, Breaking & Opening”

Anointed to Serve

All authority in heaven and on earth
Go and make disciples
Baptized and Obedient servants
Anointed to serve
Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
Not for us to know when (Acts 1:7)
We will receive empowerment to be witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8)

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