Sunday Re Cap (30th Oct 2011)

The Life Of Abraham: God’s Ways Are Higher (Than Our Ways)

Gen 14:1-7 This is the first war listed in the Bible. Zumim: TALL or Powerful Ones; Rephaim: STRONG ones. These were the first attacked to strike fear in all the other kings. It was a one sided and devastating war. Keep this picture in mind.

Gen 14:8-12 These 5 kings were no match to this well organized army. Calvin captured the mood when he said, “The runaways chose the pits rather than be captured”. They took LOT. This man fell from the height of worldly riches to the depth of captivity. The prosperity we long for is captivating; it can both entice us and enslave us if our motives are not in line with God’s desires.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…

The abduction shows so clearly that separation from Abram meant forfeiting the divine protection provided by the favored patriarch. We must remain in Christ’s favor.

Gen 14:13-14 Abram was bold enough to take on this task because he had seen God’s divine protection before. We also see that Abram went to rescue LOT. What would we have done in the same situation? Abram could have just left Lot. He goes to rescue him! Why?? Abram was able to extend that kind of forgiveness because he had experienced that kind of forgiveness himself when God sovereignly rescued him and Sarai from Abimelech in Egypt. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant? When we have difficulty forgiving, we may have lost sight of the CROSS.

Abram took 318 servants only but with God one is a majority against this ruthless and powerful army.

Gen 14:15-16 Hobar is north of Damascus; almost 200km? (One Way) to recapture! Were the 318 servants super soldiers? No way! God intervened! God did miracles!

Common pattern…God deliveres…self reliance…rebellion…captivity…cry out…God delivered….again and again.

Sometimes the way God works and they way we think HE SHOULD work are completely opposite. Is 55:8-9

When we surrender our destiny to Him, HE can work miracles and gets ALL the glory!

God wins the battle because the battle belongs to the Lord. Eph 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace…lest anyone should boast…God despises boasting in our own abilities!

The church is full of life when Christ, and not man is in charge. Let’s surrender ourselves through the 10 days of fasting and prayer and see God move in our nation and in the church.

Sunday Re Cap (9th Oct 2011)

Abraham-THE CALL & THE BLESSING

 

Gen 12:1 The Call of Abraham; Gen 12:2-3 The Blessings/Promises to Abraham

Matt 28:18 -20a (THE CALL); Mt 28:20b (THE BLESSING) is Christ’s calling upon Christians.

So is the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:1-3) A PROMISE OF BLESSING or is it a CALL OF GOD?

This is found in WORLD MISSION. An Analysis of the World Christian Movement, published by the William Carey Library when it mentions these verses:

This biblical text is one of the foundation stone of the Christian missions.

“The church of God is a multinational missionary community, under orders to evangelize until Christ returns” John Stott

The purpose of today’s message is to bring greater clarity to what was THE CALL and what is THE BLESSING in the LIFE of ABRAHAM. Only then can we see how it PROPERLY relates to us:

1.      Why study THE CALL of Abraham?

As we look at his life, we get a better picture of our call in Christ. Our call in Mt 28:18-20 is the full expression of Abraham’s call Gen 12:1-3.

2.      Clearly define THE BLESSING.

He gives us ALL the BLESSINGS we need to fulfill HIS PURPOSE, not ours! It is the supernatural enablement, timing, resources, gifts of the Holy Spirit, talents, finances, contacts.

3.      Understand that we are LIVING for the CALL and not for The BLESSING.

What is the difference between a pilgrim and a drifter? A pilgrim lives for THE CALL of GOD. In the process he is BLESSED with everything he needs to fulfill that CALL…and MORE! A “Christian” drifter lives for the BLESSINGS. In the process he loses HIS BLESSINGS and everything else.

Conclusion

What are we living for today; THE CALL or THE BLESSING?

Sunday Re Cap (18th Sept 2011)

Abraham-Not of this world

Gen 12:1-9

As we look at the life of Abraham, we are going to see his heart and his attitude towards God.

1. Abraham chose to Obey God. The first thing we notice is that Abraham had a choice and he chose to obey this call.

• Matt 10:37-39

2. Abraham had a promise Gen12:2-3. Five times bless...God will do it. Not within us. Every good gift from Abraham..Imagine Abraham sharing with Sarah about living in tents... will have children...promise to make them a great nation.

3. Abraham would be a blessing. “You will be a blessing”. How? The blessing... to make your name great.

• Abraham I will take away your name and give you a far better name… Jesus

• God takes away our identity to give us a far better identity.

4. Bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you….

• Melchizedek & Abimelech blessed Abraham and they were blessed, Hagar cut off because she despised her mistress Sarah, the Canaanites who persecuted and troubled the Jews are gone. Greeks who overran Palestine and desecrated the Temple were overrun by the Roman Empire; …..God blesses those who bless Israel.

• Ps 122:6:9 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

• Through Abraham, all families of the earth blessed. Nations, people groups…are blessed with JESUS! What a promise!

5. Abraham was not PERFECT. We do not need to be perfect to be heroes…it is not because of our gifting, talents, attributes, it is simply God’s call…we are the called. Now, we need to make the choice to obey the call wholeheartedly.

6. Abraham Preached. Peopled acquired-slaves or souls? Although Abraham was still in his journey, not seen any fulfillment of God’s promise, Abraham preached! V6.

7. Abraham Worshipped.

• His heart of worship even though not seen the promise. More to this life.

• Bethel (House of God) before me, Ai (the dump/world) behind me…where I am, I will continue to worship…Abraham established an altar…

Like Abraham, we are not of this world. What does the life of a pilgrim look like?

A life faith demands that we are not of this world, this is not my home, a pilgrim, declare the praises. A sojourner, a pilgrim.

Col 3:1-4; Rom6; Matt 6 19; 1jn 2:15-17 The pursuit of things creates emptiness.

We are pilgrims not drifters...we have a goal-to be with the King..build tents, preach, worship! Build tents but don’t expect to take it with us.

Sunday Re Cap (21st Dec 2008)

Jesus' Blood Speaks Better Things

As we prepare to celebrate the season of His coming, we need to reflect on the purpose of Jesus coming.

Heb 12:24 To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

3 key words: The New Covenant, The Mediator, The Blood.

1. The New Covenant

This new covenant is entirely different from the old covenant which is a covenant of works. Because of Jesus PERFECT SACRIFICE, we no longer need to do things to please God. This is a covenant of personal relationship.

2. The Mediator

Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant; he is the middle person that goes between both parties, God and man, to bring them together in this covenant, to keep them together notwithstanding the sins of the people and God's displeasure against them for sin,

Heb 8:6 , Heb 9:15

Jesus as the mediator offers up our prayers to God, and to bring down the favours of God to us, to plead with God for us and to plead with us for God, and as we worship, brings God and his people together in heaven, and to be a Mediator between them forever, they beholding and enjoying God in Christ and God beholding and blessing them in Christ.

3. The Blood

This is speaking blood, and it speaks better things than that of Abel. First, It speaks to God in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for judgment and retribution, as the blood of Abel did on him who shed it, but for forgiveness and reconciliation. Secondly, To sinners, in the name of God. It speaks pardon to their sins, peace to their souls; and calls for their strictest obedience and highest love and thankfulness.

Blood has a voice-DNA speaks and can be used as evidence to “speak”. Our blood test result has a voice that can “speak” and tell us about the condition of our organs and vital signs.

The blood of Jesus speaks better things then that of Abel. Abel blood cried “Vengeance! Vengeance!” but The blood of Jesus cried “Mercy! Mercy!”. It cries forgiveness for our sins, healing for our bodies, and peace and soundness for our souls, protection, prosperity, our righteousness of God in Christ.

Conclusion

The eternal blood of Jesus which speaks of better things will never loose it's power. See to it that we do not refuse Him who speaks (Heb 12:25). See that we keep hearing the voice of grace, which speaks salvation, righteousness, protection, deliverance, properity and healing over our lives!

Sunday Re Cap (24th Feb 2008)

NO MORE DELAY by David Lai

Text: John 5: 1-9

This man had a “lifetime” membership of sickness. We need to get out of our “lifetime” membership of failures, sickness, poverty, etc. The LORD desires NEW BEGINNINGS for us. Jesus has made it possible for us to withdraw our membership from our past so that we can enter NEW BEGINNINGS.

1. We must move from being a “give me” Christian to a “make me” Christian.
1. The 9 lepers had a touch of God (give me) but one leper had an encounter with God (make me). Luke 17:12-19
2. The prodigal son started with “give me my portion” and ended up defeated. When he became a “make me” son, he had abundance. Luke 15:12, 19
3. OT: Israelites always demanded “give me, give me, and give me”. God still gave but it was not His perfect will.

2. If we give excuses, we will never experience breakthroughs.
1. John 5:7 “No one helps me, others get in before me..”
2. Abraham and Sarah made excuses that they were too old to bear children. Only when they believed, breakthrough came! Gen 16, 17

3. Do not complain or question God’s work in our lives.
1. Phil 2:13 Our WILL involves the MIND and DO involves ACTION and OBEDIENCE.
2. How can the world see a difference if we are complaining just like they are? Rom 12:1-2
3. We are a chosen generation called out to PRAISE HIM (NOT COMPLAIN) 1 Pet 2:9

4. We are a covenant people. Rev 10:1-7
1. Rev 10:6 That there will be delay no longer!
2. Rev 10:1 The rainbow speaks of the covenant that the OT saints had with God after the flood. For the NT believer, the rainbow speaks of Jesus our New Covenant.
3. The rainbow now becomes a powerful reminder of our justification in Jesus.
4. Even though Noah was exposed, yet he was justified by the covenant.
5. Abraham lied about Sarah but God never found fault with him because he was covenanted with God. Gen 12:13
6. Heb 11:39-40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
7. The promise is not just healing, blessing, prosperity, its JESUS and His finished work on the cross that guarantees us the covenant relationship.

So delay no longer. Let’s enter our New Beginnings!

Sunday Re Cap (17th Feb 2008)

OUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Part II

At the core of every relationship is the dynamic tension that can lead to growth and maturity. Elements of take control and surrender.

How to identify when to surrender and when to take charge?

As we study Bible characters we would notice some very general patterns that most of them followed in seeking God’s will in entering into New Beginnings.

The STOP Method

1. Surrender

• Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old (surrender) Is 43:18-19; forgetting what is behind (Phil 3:13)
• Luke 9:23 deny himself (surrender) and follow me.
• Abraham surrendered (Gen 11:31 & 12:1-3; Gen 22 sacrifice Isaac; Luke 9:59,61
• Many remain in surrender and don’t move on to the next part. What do we do after surrender?
  

2. Trust

• Abraham trusted that God would provide the sacrifice.
• Joseph trusted God to bring to pass the destiny. That God has New Beginnings for him. Do we?
• Trusting God’s grace (His unmerited favor) instead of our self efforts. Devil’s ploy to tire us out, burn out, strive
• Jesus trusted; Paul trusted (2 Tim 1:12)
  

3. Obey

• 1 Sam 15:22, Is 1:19
• Children of Israel in the wilderness-obedience issue-manna to be collected day to day (still an issue today? Word?
• Nation of Israel-Judges 2-3: apostasy, oppression, repentance, restoration.
• Many give up at OBEY.
  

4. Persevere, Patience

• (Heb 6:12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Jas 1:3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
• Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
  

Conclusion

• We need to understand that this is a dynamic relationship and it through the understanding and living this relationship that we are launched into the New Beginnings with God.
• In the end, it is not so much what we achieve or the goals that we attain but the richness of the relationship we have grown with God.
• God’s ultimate aim in giving us New Beginnings is not goals but to draw us closer to Him!

Sunday Re Cap (3rd Feb 2008)

OUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Click Here to listen

At the core of every relationship is the dynamic tension that can lead to growth and maturity. Elements of take control and surrender. Dying to self centered desires and surrendering to God’s will, take charge of God’s call on your life, courageously overcoming the challenges and fulfilling our destiny.

2 Tim 2:20-21

There are 2 processes at work.

The Surrender Posture
Shedding-ego, fears, control. Submission to God. God in first place. Honor, respect and deference (reverence) to God.
Prepares us to communicate with God. (Keep meditating on who we are right now…don’t hear the old voices any more, reject it!).
A Posture of Peace. A place of trust, assurance and confidence that God is with us. It isn’t an event but a daily process.

The Take Charge Posture
Personal responsibility (Peter release from prison Acts 12:7-8)
God has given us a free will and the ability to make choices. (Adam and Eve).
A posture of power, courage, personal initiative, leadership, integrity, accountability, discipline, perseverance, action and follow through It is in this posture that our partnership with God manifests in our lives and at work.
When God asked Nehemiah to build the wall, he did not ask God to build it for him but asked God for strength to build it. Same thing with Solomon. All through the Bible we find such examples.

The Surrender Posture actually prompts the Take Charge Posture.

Our New Beginnings in whatever area is determined by both our posture of surrender and taking charge. The KEY is to understand when to surrender and when to take charge. Our tendency is normally to try to control things we have to surrender and surrender things that we have to take charge.

Serenity Prayer
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Oswald Chambers
“Our Lord never takes measures to make me do what He wants. Sometimes I wish God would master and control me to make me do what He wants, but He will not. And at other times I wish He would leave me alone, and He does not.”