Sermon Re-cap (24th Dec 2006)

The Reason For The Season

Christmas is a season for us to remember that Jesus’ coming to the world is for the purpose of redemption.

Why do we need redemption?

• We have all sinned.
  
• Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
  
• We are deserving of death because of our sins.
  
• Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  
• However, Jesus has taken our sins upon himself and died on the cross for all of us.
  
• Rom 5:8 But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
  
• Therefore, when we receive Jesus into our lives, our death sentence is revoked and we are saved.
  
• Rom 10:9-10 Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
  
• We now have life because the Son of God lives in us.
  
• 1Jo 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. (12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
  

Let this Christmas season be a meaningful one as we understand the true meaning of Christmas. Let Christ alone reign in our lives.

Ps Samuel Hari

 

 

Sunday Re-cap (10th December, 2006)

Christ in You is the Hope of Glory
Ps. Rey Benito

Col 1:26-27- Because of CHRIST in us we can now experience the glory of God.

Ps. 105:8-15 God remembers His covenanted people forever. He protects, blesses and keeps them from harm.

Those who are in Christ, God brings every favour, grace and blessing that they will be a blessing to others. God brings His glory through us for Christ is the Spirit of Glory in us:

1. He comes to beautify our lives
a) Eph 2:10 We are now God’s workmanship – God accepts us as we are but the Spirit of Glory (CHRIST) transforms us from glory to glory and makes all things beautiful.

b) 2 Peter 2:9 We are a chosen generation and belong to the Kingdom of Light.
We are children of God and a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

c) Heb 12:22-24 Our names are registered in heaven because of Jesus Christ – church of the general assembly of the firstborn. The church on earth is a representative of the church in Heaven; we are Christ’s ambassadors, representing Christ – we shine to others Christ’s glory.

d) 1 Cor 2:16 We have the mind of Christ. We can receive ideas / thoughts from God. God says, “my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”

2. God gives us an excellent spirit.
Dan 1:20- Daniel had the spirit of excellence. The glory of God is the best charisma we can have (Dan 6:3)

3. Brings bounty in our lives
2 Cor 9:10 We need to plant seeds of the Word of God – increase the fruits of your righteousness.

How to allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives?
1. Commit totally to God.
2. Acknowledge what the Word of God says about you.
3. Arise and shine. Isaiah 60:1- Show our good works to the world and touch people.
4. Patience & perseverance – we have to believe, respond and persevere like Joseph till God placed him in a position of glory.

So church, lets allow the Holy Spirit to manifest in our lives till the Glory of Christ is seen.

Sunday Re-cap (03rd December, 2006)

Unity
Ps. Samuel Hari

God is ready to intervene in the affairs of man.
Heb 11:1, 6 Faith is … Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The hope that is found in the Bible is a deep yearning / assurance of what God is doing.
Rom 5 – Hope doesn’t disappoint.

Ps. 133 – How Good and Pleasant for brethren to dwell together.
Not Many things in life are both GOOD and PLEASANT. Exercise, discipline, studying, medicine, constructive criticism is good but may not necessarily be pleasant.

John 17:24 Jesus’ definition of Unity – that we may all be one as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. That we may be one in THEM that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus. It’s Koinonia relationship. It’s much deeper – sharing, close association, partnership, participation, a communion, contributory help. An intimate bond of fellowship.

Acts 2:42 The believers who were baptized in the Holy Spirit were literarily devoted to this kind of covenant relationship- through communication and unity with God and one another.

Eph 4:3 Endeavor – Pressing in / making the effort to continue steadfastly in the God (apostles’ doctrine and prayer) and in one another (fellowship and the breaking of bread).

Acts 3 – Peter & John healed the lame man (Powerful miracle); Acts 4 persecution and opposition came along. When there is unity there will be opposition, but it’s faith that brings the miracles.
We need to understand the deception that is around us (Acts 4:13-17). The eyes that are blinded or those who even consciously reject the LORD even after seeing and admitting for themselves the manifestation of God’s power and presence. Here we also learn that it’s not always miracles that bring people to the LORD but it’s a revelation of who He is / an encounter with the living God.
Acts 4:24 - with one accord raised their voices (covenant prayer) to God
Acts 4:31-33 – the place was shaken and they:
1. Assembled in ONE place.
2. They PRAYED
3. They were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT
4. They spoke the Word of God with Boldness – direct reference with verse 18; which is EVANGELISM)

Church lets put all effort to live in the Koinonia relationship and experience the power of Unity in the Body of Christ!