Destroyed for lack of knowledge

Hosea 4:1-2

In the first three chapters of Hosea, the personal life of Hosea is intertwined with his message to the nation of Israel. In chapters 4-14, the message is more direct. The sins of Israel are brought into the open court. God was going to prove by the deeds of the people that He was perfectly righteous and just to bring His judgment upon the children of Israel. 

The nature of the Sins of Israel (4:1-2)

The sins of Israel can be classified into sins of omission and sins of commission. Sins of omission result from the people’s failure to do what God commands them to do. Sins of commission result from the people actually violating the commandments of God. 

A.      Sin of Omission

The children of Israel were omitting three things: they had no truth, no mercy, and no knowledge of God.

-              They were not truthful people. They did not what is right according to the Word of God.

-              They were also lacking in mercy. The word “mercy” is used in the context of a covenant relationship (Joshua 2:12-14). The children of Israel were bound together by a covenant relationship, which included certain mutual obligations that the children of Israel had for one another.

-               They had no knowledge of God. The children of Israel did not have the knowledge of God because they rejected God’s truth. 

+       To know God is to live in the constant awareness of who He is, and to live in accordance with His Word.

+       As God’s covenant people, we have obligations to and responsibilities for one another. 

B.      Sin of Commission

The rejection of knowledge of God is the reason for the spiritual and moral decline that is in Israel. The sins in verse 2 were all taken from the Ten Commandments. They swore (2^nd). They lied (9^th). They killed (6^th). They stole (8^th). They committed adultery (7^th). 

+       The rejection of the Word of God will lead to a decline in the morality of a society. Ungodliness will lead to unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-23). 

The effects of the sins of israel (4:3-5)

The children of Israel have no knowledge of God; therefore they commit all manner of sins, and sin has its consequences. “The whole land would mourn.” There was widespread devastation of the land either through catastrophes of nature or as a result of man’s folly and wickedness. The “people are as they that strive with the priest.” There would be dissension from the people with regard to God’s assessment. “I will destroy thy mother.” There would be destruction of the land. 

+       Do not presume upon God’s mercy. Israel’s sins caused God to leave her alone (4:17, see also Romans 1:24, 26, 28). 

The root cause of israel’s sins (4:6-14)

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (4:6). Who was responsible for the lack of knowledge? God placed the responsibility on the spiritual leaders of Israel. “They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity” (Hosea 4:8-9). The priests were using religion for their personal gain. They were making a profit of the sins of the people by encouraging the people to indulge in idolatrous worship. The more the people worshipped idols, the bigger the priests’ share of the offerings. 

+       God’s saving grace is not incompatible with holy living (2 Cor 5:14-15). 

The people’s idolatry had an effect on their family. Their “daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery” (4:13). 

+       The spiritual adultery of the parents will result in the adultery of their children. 

The warning of israel’s sins (4:15-19)

“Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone” (4:17). Israel was bound to her idols that there was no more hope. God said that He would leave Ephraim [another name for Israel] alone. However, God would remain faithful to His covenant. God had not given up on His people, and He has not given up on sinners. 

+       The hope for sinners is that “if we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

+       The lesson for Christian is that we are called out of the world – not separate from the world, but to be separate from worldliness of the world. God’s people must be the light that shines for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heaven

Heaven

Paul shared his testimony when he was taken to the third heaven, the paradise, the abode of God, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven…How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor 12:2, 4). The Bible says, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is” (Deut 10:14; cf 1 Kings 8:27). Then, the word “heaven” in the Bible refers to three spheres.

The First Heaven is the atmosphere heaven, the sky from which there are dew (Deut 33:13), rain and snow (Isa 55:10), wind (Job 26:13), and thunder (1 Sam 2:10), and these remind us of God’s common grace and goodness to all mankind, “for he…sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45), and the birds of the air remind us of God’s sovereignty and loving care (Matt 6:26, 10:29).

The Second Heaven is the celestial heaven, the outer space, the universe with the sun, the moon, stars and planets, turning around in their own orbits, which remind us of God’s wisdom and power and His common grace and goodness, “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good” (Matt 5:45), and without the sun, there will be no light, seasons and time, and we shall be frozen to death! “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever… To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Ps 136:1, 5).

The Third Heaven is the heaven of heavens (Deut 10:14), the Paradise (2 Cor 12:2, 4), the Father’s house (John 12:2), the kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph 5:5), the holy city, the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:2), a better and heavenly country (Heb 11:16). It is the abode of God (Matt 6:9; Rev 4:1-11), the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 9:24), the Holy Spirit (Ps 139:7-8), the holy angels (Matt 18:10), and God’s children (Heb 12:22-23).

Because of love, our Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself and “came down from heaven” as the Son of man to die for our sins (John 3:13-16). He rose again and “ascended up far above all heavens” (Eph 4:10) and is now our “great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (Heb 4:14). After preparing a place for us in His “Father’s house”, He “will come back, and receive” us unto Himself (John 14:2-3). Our Lord confirms, “Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (vv 5-6). How wonderful this truth is!

The Heaven is real whether you and I believe it or not. It is the place of eternal bliss of joy, peace, glory and holy fellowship of believers with God, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (v 3). There will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain (v 4), no more curse nor night (Rev 22:3, 5) nor marriage (Matt 22:30).

Proper Attitudes toward Heaven

Proper Desires: The Bible says, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb 11:16), and “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3: 2), and Paul said, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). Knowing that the old heavens and earth are “reserved unto fire…the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:7, 10; Rev 21:1), we will not see this world as our home, but regard ourselves as “strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Then, do you and I really desire to be in Heaven?

Proper Preparation: Are you and I prepared for Heaven? The Bible confirms that the unrighteous (1 Cor 6:9) and “flesh and blood” or natural human beings shall not inherit Heaven (1 Cor 15:50). You and I must be born again, or else we cannot see nor enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5). You and I must be “found written in the book of life”, or else we cannot enter into Heaven (Rev 20:15). You and I must determine to trust in the Lord to overcome Satan, temptations, sins, selfishness, and worldliness in order to keep on obeying His Word since the reward of heaven is only for those who overcome, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (v 7). My friends, our life in this world is so short but it is so important because it is the precious time to prepare ourselves for the eternity. Shall we not live and do all things for the Lord to have our “treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Luke 12:33)?

Proper Hope and Joy: Our Lord Jesus says, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Lu 10:20), and “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”“reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18) so that we may endure all things with joy and hope and will not fear death, which only brings us to our blessed rest with the Lord in Heaven, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev 14:13). It is a foretaste of Heaven while we are living in this world because “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Wherever the Lord is, it is Heaven, and “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom 14:17). Thank God for His presence, His righteousness, peace and joy in us, and that is Heaven on earth! (Matt 5: 12). Let us put our hope in the Lord and His Heaven and rejoice in Him and rejoice that our names are written in Heaven. May God help us always remember this truth. It is more precious than the whole world! May the Lord help us count all things but loss (Phil 3:8) even

Our Tears in Heaven: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (v 4). Why shall we be in tears in Heaven? Yes, we shall be touched to tears when we understand God’s great love toward us and how He has saved us and kept us although we used to grieve Him, disappoint, dishonour or sin against Him through our pride, unbelief, indifference, disobedience, unfaithfulness, or failures. We shall be moved to tears when we are with our Saviour Jesus Christ, see the marks of the nails in His hands because of our sins, and hear from Him how many times He has delivered us from the snares of Satan and made all things work together for our good! We shall shed tears of regret when we have not done our best for the Lord or served Him with zeal and fervency. And our eyes shall fill with tears when we do not see our loved ones in Heaven. Where are our Dad, our Mum, our spouse, our children, our brethren, our close friends? My friends, may God’s love constrain us now so that we may cry for the salvation of our loved ones and others in prayers and then share the Gospel with them. May the Lord help us not waste our time and our lives for vanity but redeem “the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16).

Drunkenness Is Prohibited

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

All people like to be happy - to be exhilarated with joy, to feel good and to be on top of everything. There is nothing wrong with that. The Bible says there is a time to laugh. Scripture talks about shouting for joy and good tidings of great joy. It refers to joy unspeakable and full of glory. God wants joyous, excited, happy and uplifted people. The problem lies in how our happiness is generated. Some people seek artificially-induced bliss. You might expect in our modern world (where so much is artificial) that someone would get the idea of brewing up joy and placing it in a bottle. That is exactly what has been done!

 

Today, we have billions around the world who frantically seeking artificial joy at the bottom of a bottle. Drunkenness, of course, occurs in all countries and cultures. The whole world faces a major epidemic of alcoholism. All over the world, people unable to find real happiness look for it in a drunken stupor. But all they find is a cheap, false, damning, artificial substitute for real joy. In first-century times water was usually impure, so people mixed their drinking water with a little wine, which killed the dangerous amoebas. The resulting beverage was hardly intoxicating. The alcohol content was so low, one would have to drink gallons of the stuff to get drunk.

Undiluted, unmixed wine, which was called "strong drink" in the Scriptures was imbibed by people who wanted to get high. Naturally, a Christian who drank wine as a daily part of his life would easily feel tempted towards drunkenness. The Bible repeatedly calls drunkenness a sin and warns against it. For example, Paul excluded those who were given to much wine from being elders or deacons in the church (1 Timothy 3:3, 8). Proverbs is filled with prohibitions against drunkenness.

Christians Must Abstain From Strong Drinks

"For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:" 1 Peter 4:3

What about wine-drinking culture of today's society? Should Christians drink at all?  Some believers say, "Well, I don't get drunk. I only drink a little. Isn't that okay?"

I would like to propose that you apply to your-self the following five questions before deciding to participate in any activity, including wine consumption. They will also help us determine whether we as Christians should drink alcoholic beverages.

Will it be habit forming? Paul said, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient (profitable): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12).

Will it lead to dissipation? Scripture calls drunkenness dissipation or excess (Ephesians 5: 18). 

Will it offend a weaker brother? If another believer follows my example and falls into sin, then I have been the occasion for his stumbling. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." (Romans 14:21). 

Will it harm my Christian testimony? Someone may look at me and think less of my Christian testimony because of what 1 do (Romans 14:16).

Am 1 certain that it is right? If not, I'd be partaking of a doubtful thing, and that would be sin. "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:23).

Since a Christian before a bottle of wine is not a good testimony. He can also be offensive to many Christians. So let all Christians, as Peter advised, abstain from the habit of wine drinking.

Will the Next Generation have Faith?

Text:  JUDGES 2: 1 - 13

What caused Israel’s spiritual decline?

A.   THE PROBLEMS OF THE PREVIOUS GENERATION (2: 1 – 5)

1.       They obeyed not the voice of the Lord. (v. 2) God commanded them to “make no league with the inhabitants” of Canaan.  The Canaanites worshiped the vile idol Baal and were the enemies of the people of God.  The Israelites did not separate from sin and unrighteousness. (2 Cor. 6 : 14 – 17)  God warned the Israelites that these people “shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.” (v. 3)  

The Bible is explicit in its command to be separated from sin unto holiness.  To compromise with false teachers and evil practices would be detrimental to our faith and the faith of our children.

2.        They did not have a clean break from idolatry.  “Ye shall throw down their altars.”  The reason for destroying all the idols and their altars is that men may know that there is only one God and He is a jealous God. (Ex. 34:13, 14)

Some people believe that all religions are the same and they believe that everyone worships the same God although the form of worship may be different. There is a world-wide organization called the World Council of Churches; its goal is to bring the world’s religions under her umbrella.  Unfortunately, many mainline Christian denominations have accepted membership into this ecumenical movement. 

  

B.   THE PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT GENERATION (2: 10 – 13)

1.       They forsook the Lord, and served idols; Baal and Ashtaroth were their idols (vv. 12, 13).  In these verses we sense that the new generation of Israelites departed from God willingly.  They chose to forsake God and serve idols.

There are many forms of idolatry today.  An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our hearts.  We may not have an image placed in our house to bow to.  But there are many idols which do not have human or animal form and shape. They are intangible but they occupy our hearts. The Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2: 15)

2.    They did evil in the sight of God. (v. 11) Baalim is the worship of false gods. Their abominable worship practices include male and female prostitution, offering animal sacrifices and even human sacrifices. Notwithstanding the wickedness in Baal worship, the people chose to adopt this corrupt religion. 

Sadly, today, many so-called Christians have turned away from the truth and indulged in evil practices such as cheating, embezzlement, pornography, lust and revenge.

Believers have the God-given task of teaching and training their children from small, so that when they grow up, they will not forget God’s laws and fall into temptation. In fact, children of believers should grow up to be role models to the non-believing world, to God’s glory and honour!

Rev Lim Chee Boon

Come and Taste God’s Love

Ephesians 3: 14 - 19

Everyone is created by God for a purpose, that is to love God and be loved by Him. If we live without this blessed knowledge, our lives would be without a sense of purpose and hope.  God has done everything in His power to reveal to us about Himself. God desires each person to know Him and His love, and then we would be able to respond to Him in worship and devotion.

The Bible tells us that God loves us, and He proved this by dying for us on the cross. God’s love has become an intellectual truth for many believers, rather than an experiential one.  

1. God’s love is personal. Christianity is different from other religions because our God desires a personal relationship with every man, woman, and child. His love and care do not just limit to one particular group. He loves every individual specifically and wants to establish a regular, intimate relationship with each one.

2. God’s love is unconditional. God is love (1 John 4:8). It is who He is and not simply something He does. God’s divine love is based on His character, not on our performance. Nothing about our character or behaviour can make Him love us less or more. God is eternal and infinite and therefore His love is also eternal and everlasting.

3. God’s love is available to everyone. His love is inexhaustible and immeasurable. His love is wider than the ocean and higher than the heaven above. He loves every sinner (John 3:16) and he does not have favourites but intimates. We can be His intimates by spending time with Him, talking and listening, walking in obedience, and desiring to know Him and loving Him with all our heart. This is the kind of relationship that the Lord desires to have with each of us.

We must learn to experience God’s great love in a personal and intimate way. Our heavenly Father doesn’t just say He loves us, but He proved this by giving His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Do not let the devil deceive us and the trials of life hinder us from experiencing the divine love of God. When doubts arise, cling on God’s Word and trust Him that He loves you ever more. Trust and believe in His love, and eventually you will feel it.

By Rev.Khoo

Blessed Are the Fathers! (Job 1:1-8)

Learning from Job as a father:

1.    Job’s spiritual life

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1).
•    Job is a spiritually mature man.
•    Job fears God. He acknowledge God’s way.
•    Job eschews evil. He flees from temptations.

Although Job is a wealthy man, we must not look at the external but at his inward spiritual life which is more important. Similarly, we must consider one another’s spiritual life and not our material possessions. If we only aim to achieve all that is material (wealth included), we may neglect our spiritual life.

Job is a man who fears God, but this does not mean that he has no trouble.  For a time, his family, his wealth and his health were taken away.

2.    Job as the pastor to his family

•    Every Christian father is the pastor to his family. He is responsible for the spiritual well being of his family.
•    Job as a father cares for the spiritual well-being of his children (Job 1:5).

3.    Importance of God in Job’s life

•    Job does not allow his wealth to affect his relationship with God.
•    A father does not only bring home the family income. He is also responsible for the spiritual well-being of his family.

A godly father’s joy will be fullest when his child has a place in heaven, not when he is able to get into the best school. It is not easy to be a godly father, but fathers can be encouraged and guided by God’s Word as they strive to mature in their spiritual life.

The Practice of Holiness "Separation from false teachers"

INTRODUCTION:

Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” 

The theme in this chapter is the purity of the Christian ministry. The Apostle Paul sets down to defend his ministry and also his personal calling and character which were called into question by the unbelieving Jews. 

I.    WHAT IS BIBLICAL SEPARATION?

The phrase "unequally yoked together" is the translation of just one Greek word, heterozugeo, which is a compound word that means, “to yoke up differently; to associate discordantly; unequally yoke together.” 

There are basically 2 kinds of separation:

1.   Personal (2 Cor. 7:1)

2.   Ecclesiastical separation (2 Cor. 6:14-16) 

Old Testament Teachings on Separation:

·         Leviticus 19:19 – Do not mingle and mix 2 different animals and   materials

      (cf. Deuteronomy 22:9-11).

·         2 Chron. 19:2 – Do not help those who hate the LORD.

·         Psa. 1:1 – Do not have any part with the enemies of God.

·         Amos 3:3 – Do not have fellowship with those who cannot agree with the Truth. 

 

II.  WHY MUST WE SEPARATE?

The apostle answers the question with five rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is one that needs no answer; the answer is obvious. 

·         We differ in Fellowship – “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?”

·         We differ in Partnership – “What communion hath light with darkness?”

·         We differ in Headship – “What concord hath Christ with Belial?”

·         We differ in Friendship – “What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

·         We differ in Worship – “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 
 

III. WHO ARE WE TO SEPARATE FROM?

The Bible does speak of cooperation and of united effort especially in evangelism (Jn. 17:14; 1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 4:3). However, it must be based on TRUTH. 

Our Church’s constitution in Article 6:8, 9 says “In loyalty to the revealed Word we, as an organized portion of the people of God, are obliged to oppose all forms of modernism, cultism, Romanism, and false religions…We opposed to all efforts to obscure or wipe out the clear line of separation between these absolutes.” 

IV. HOW SHOULD WE SEPARATE FROM FALSE TEACHERS?

i.    Trying them (1 Jn. 4:1-6)

ii.    Withdrawing from them (2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15)

iii.   Marking and avoiding them (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 3:1, 2, 5)

iv.   Coming out of them (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

v.   Rejecting them (Titus 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:22; 2 John 10, 11)

GOD’S curse is upon them! (Gal. 1:8,9) “Let him be accursed!” 

V.   WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF BEING SEPARATED?

i.    Our Proprietorship to GOD (2 Cor. 6:16)

·                     We are the property of God for we belong to Him. 

ii.    Our Fellowship of GOD (2 Cor. 6:17)

·                     We are accepted by God into His sweet presence daily. 

iii.   Our Relationship with GOD (2 Cor. 6:18)

·                     We have a very special and personal relationship with Him. 

 

CONCLUSION:

·                     Remembering that we are living in the end times and there are abundance of false teachers and false teachings;

·                     We are to be forewarned so that we can be forearmed to defend the truths of the Word of God;

·                     We are to maintain personal and ecclesiastical purity at all costs till the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rev Tan

Dare to Say ‘Sorry’ (2 Sam 12:1-12)

One of the hardest things to do is to admit our wrongdoing. 2 Samuel 11 is the background of what transpired in 2 Samuel 12.  What David did was evil in the sight of the Lord.  He not only sinned but kept quiet about it. Verse 11 says it displeased the Lord. God cannot tolerate sin because it is an affront to Him. 

In chapter 12, God commanded Nathan to speak to King David. Nathan appealed to David’s sense of justice. David never thought that it was about him and this led him to pass judgment on himself. Satan tempted David because David’s heart was unguarded. Like in Psalm 32:3-4, David felt the chastening hand of God. When Nathan pronounced the judgment, David bowed his head and admitted that he had sinned against God.  David had the guts to face up to his sin. Fourfold was the restitution in the Old Testament.  David’s restitution was the deaths of his four sons (i.e. his first son with Bathsheba, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah). 

When David repented of his sin, the promise of forgiveness was immediate (Ps 32:5).  This forgiveness of sin can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We must be on our guard. If this can happen to a man who is after God’s own heart, surely it can happen to us! We are born with hearts that are thoroughly in love with sin. God saved us from the pleasure of sin and make us a new creature in Christ.  God saved us and delivered us from the penalty of sin.

How does God save His people from the love of sin?
1)    By placing a reverence for God (Prov 8:13 and Prov 6:16).
2)    By putting His love in our hearts (Rom 5:5).
3)    By the Holy Spirit drawing us to have an affection for things above.

Why do we so readily yield to temptations? There must be an opposing power to counter it.  We must be very conscious of sin and see sin in all its ugliness.
 
God hates sin but not the sinner.  God’s mercy is greater than any sins.  He is ever gracious and ever ready to forgive us of our sins.  2 Samuel 12 shows us the deceitfulness of the human heart.  So, watch and pray, and always keep His words in our hearts.

II) THE EFFECTS OF SEEING HIS GLORY

The classical example of a person whose life is completely changed after seeing the glory of God is Paul.  He was going to Damascus to arrest the Christians when a bright light shone on him.  The light is the glory of God when Jesus spoke to him.  His life was completely changed after that.  Instead of persecuting the Christians, he went to the synagogues preaching that Christ is the Son of God.

A.    We will be like Christ.
2 Cor 3 : 18  “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” A preacher’s commentary reads: “Once you get this revelation of God’ glory – of his love, mercy, grace, longsuffering and readiness to forgive (humility) – the Holy Spirit will continually open your eyes to more of these aspects of his nature and character.  You’ll have an ever-increasing revelation of God, in the way he wants to be known to you!”

We cannot see the face of God.  When Moses asked to see God’s face, God replied, “Thou canst not see my face:  for there shall no man see me, and live.” (33: 20). However, we can see His glory.  The constant beholding of His glory transforms us from one degree of glory to another.  We have earlier said that the glory of God is the very nature and attributes of God. 

In Ex 34: 5 – 7, God showed Moses His glory – “And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed  by before him (Moses), and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin …”

B.    We will worship God.
When Moses saw God’s glory, he “made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.” (Exodus 34: 8)

The revelation of God’s nature overwhelmed Moses.  He responded by worshiping God.  It’s important to note that this is the first mention ever of Moses worshiping.  Prior to this revelation of God’s glory, we find Moses praying and interceding, weeping and pleading with God for Israel, talking with him face to face.  We hear him singing the Lord’s praises on the victory side of the Red Sea.  We hear him calling on the Lord at the bitter waters of Marah.  And we hear his desperate cry to God at Rephidim, when the people were ready to stone him for not providing water.  But this is the first time we read the words, “Moses worshiped.”

Prayer, Praise and Worship are the Christians’ spiritual duties.  The 3 elements are intertwined, yet they are distinctively unique.  Prayer is a part of worship; praise is also a part of worship.  However, Christians can pray and praise God but not worship.

Worship is the most unique spiritual exercise of the Christians.  It is totally different from the worship of the other religions.  In Christianity, worship is a spontaneous outbreak of the heart in gratitude that is overwhelmed by the revelation of God’s glory and his incredible love for us – “I’m sinful and yet He loves me.”

Worship is not just on Sunday - a once a week affair but it is a daily affair, a consciousness of God’s love, mercy, kindness and grace.

C.   We will witness a change in our relationship with others
A right relationship with God will inevitably bring about a right relationship with men.  When we have seen God’s glory, our relationship with others will change. Jesus summarized the 10 commandments in the NT, calling them the first and the second commandments – “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt 22: 37 – 39)

In Matthew 18, Jesus illustrated with a story.  He speaks of a servant who was forgiven of a great debt by a king. The king showed this man incredible kindness, grace and forgiveness.  Yet no sooner was the servant forgiven then he found a fellow servant who owed him a small debt.  He demanded payment and when this friend fellow servant asked for time, he began choking the debtor until he paid up.  The very one who had experienced great love and forgiveness showed no mercy in return!

This story teaches us to exercise mercy to others because God has exercised His mercy on us.  Paul states this truth in clarity – “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ep 4: 31 – 32) A commentator says, “God is telling us through Paul, You’ve seen my glory, and you know my nature and character – that I’m gracious, merciful, longsuffering, ready to forgive.  Now, I want you to express to others who I am!”

I) SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD

I)  SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD
The Scripture makes clear that it is possible for every true follower of Jesus to see and understand the glory of God.  “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12: 14)  “Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5: 8)  Apparently the 2 verses about seeing God really mean seeing the glory of God.

There are 2 aspects of God’s glory:

A.   Who He is?  His Person
First and foremost the glory of God points to the nature and attributes of God
1.    Oftentimes in the biblical benediction we read:
“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 24, 25)

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” “1 Tim 1: 17)

In these benedictions we see that the glory of God is closely identified with God’s nature and attributes like majesty, dominion, power, eternal, immortal, invisible, wisdom (only wise God) and honour.

There is one word that is used correlatively to God’s glory – holiness.  In the dedication of the temple built by Solomon we read that the house of God was filled with a cloud and with the glory of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 5: 13, 14)  Later in chapter 7 we read that fire and glory of the Lord came down upon the temple.  The cloud and the fire are used metaphorically to refer to the holiness of God.  Therefore it is like saying that the holiness of God filled the temple.

2.    God sent Moses to deliver Israel without giving him a full revelation of who He was.  He merely told Moses, “I AM THAT I AM.” (Ex 3: 14)  He was told to inform the children of Israel that “I AM hath sent me unto you.”

In Ex 33: 18, Moses prayed to God, “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”  Moses had a gnawing hunger and thirst to know who the great I AM was, to know his nature and attributes. Therefore, when we pray, “Lord, show us your glory,” we are actually praying to God to reveal Himself to us.  God reveals His nature and attributes in His Word.  How much we know God is measured by how much we know His Word.

B.   What He has done?  His Power
The 2nd aspect of God’s glory is seen in His work.  His work manifests His power. 
1.    Exodus 16: 7 The glory of God is seen in the provision of manna and quails for the children of Israel.

2.    In John 11: 40, Jesus said to Martha, “if thou would believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?”  God’s glory is seen in the resurrection of Lazarus.

Tribulation And Cheer

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b).

“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

No Christian is fully shielded from troubles. Jesus said it plainly, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Jesus has not promised His followers a life totally free from sorrows, poverty, toil, sickness, slander, persecution or any of the common ills of mankind. Instead, He promised every follower a “cross”.

You are not promised the admiration of the unbelieving world. In fact, you should not expect or accept much favour from the world. Worldly people will not gather around us to admire our piety or to appreciate our devotion to the Lord. The people of the world may like a Christian for some favours they can get out of him; but as a Christian they cannot love him. If the world does gather around a Christian in real admiration and support, it is because either the Christian has compromised or it has made a mistake about him!

Beware of the kiss of Judas with which Christ was betrayed and with which you will be betrayed unless you are well on your guard. In the world and from the world, ye shall have tribulation. When the world pretends to love, understand that it now hates you more cordially than ever, and is carefully baiting its trap to catch you and ruin you. The Apostle John cautioned us, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13). It is no surprise that the world hates Christians because it hates their Master. Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). He also said, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:7).

The world’s hatred and opposition to Christians are a reflection of its prince’s hatred for Christ and His beloved ones. The enmity between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman still continues. It is better that you understand that the serpent has not changed his nature. He is a vile deceiver and destroyer still. As soon as he sees  in you a devotion to Christ and His truth, he hates you with passion.

“But be of good cheer”

To comfort all His beloved ones who are troubled in this world, the great Conqueror of the world says, “But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Remembering Jesus as the overcomer of the world, will help us to be cheerful even in afflictions.

Our Lord was an overcomer both in life and death. No adversity was strong enough to distract our Lord from accomplishing all that His Father had appointed Him to do. Nothing could overcome Him, but He overcame them all.

If you take time to study the life that our Lord had lived while He was on this earth, you will see that He was a victor in all the circumstances of His life. A deep calm always pervaded His spirit whether it was the approbation or censure that He received from men around Him. He never lost His self-control. Nothing could frustrate Him that He might fail to perform His assignments perfectly to the pleasure of His Father. He conquered all circumstances and did everything
perfectly. To hold Him in our view through our life’s journey, is indeed a wonderful experience.

Our Lord also overcame the world by His fearlessness of the world’s elite men. When the Pharisees, who had no regard for Him, and with sneer and disgust, confronted Him, He declared God’s truth, rebuking and disproving them. Like a true Master, He outwitted them with His wise answers and actions. Their opposition could only prove that He is all-powerful and all-wise. Even the threats of Pilate, the governor, could not intimidate Him. He remained calm and undisturbed within when He was tried by Pilate. Even in death, He was a victor, for He ministered divine comfort and hope to the repenting criminal who was crucified beside Him. Finally, He overcame death and grave in His resurrection. Thus, He has defeated our last enemy, even death!

Since the Lord Jesus has tasted the severity of earthly tribulations and also the exultation of victory, we can trust Him to give us cheer in this hostile world. He understands the agony of our sufferings. He knows what it means to be rejected by people. He empathises with all our problems, because He experienced them. Now as an overcomer of every tribulation that He had faced, He assures us that if we follow His Word, we can "be of good cheer."

The Lamb Of God

 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29

Bethlehem's manger was a fitting place to lay the Lamb of God. Later, John the Baptist would point Him out as the Lamb who had come to take away the sin of the world.

As the Lamb of God, Jesus is approachable. Children would follow Him. Lepers would plead with Him. Blind men would call to Him. Grieving people would pour out their hearts to Him. And He would have time for them all.

As the Lamb of God, Jesus paid for our sins. John's listeners would have known immediately the significance of his words. For centuries their forefathers had been bringing lambs to sacrifice speaking of the atonement for sins. With the sacrifice of Jesus, all animal sacrifices were to cease: And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering often-times the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:11-14).

Rembrandt, the famous Dutch artist saw Jesus as the Lamb of God who died for him. In his painting, depicting the SavBiour's death, he included himself among the crowd watching the Crucifixion. This was Rembrandt's way of saying, "I was there too! I helped to crucify Jesus!"

As the Lamb of God, Jesus atoned for all sin: The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Old sins need not haunt us when they have been given to Jesus. His forgiveness is complete. He is the Lamb of God. His sacrifice was sufficient. Even for your sins.

Rev (Dr) Koshy

Serve God Only

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 (cf. Luke 16:13)

Introduction: 
In this world there are two kinds of people: there are those who love God and serve Him, and there are others who serve the world and love the things of this world.  There is no middle path, either for God or for world. As it is said in 1 John 2:15. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Let us see what the Lord Himself said about serving masters.

1. No man can serve two masters:
Christ illustrates the necessity of laying up treasures in heaven from a well-known fact, that a servant cannot serve two masters at the same time.  If the servant serves two master, his affections and obedience would be divided, and he would fail altogether in his duty to one or the other. One he would love, and the other he would hate. To the interests of the one he would adhere, and the interests of the other he would neglect. This is a law of human nature.
The supreme affections can be fixed on only one object. So, Christ says, the servant of God or Children of God, cannot at the same time obey him, and be greedy, or seek treasures supremely on earth. One interferes with the other, and one or the other will be, and must be, surrendered, whose orders are directly contrary to the other. 
So here, it is a reminder to all of us that we cannot be serving God and the worldly pleasures at the same time? Whom are we serving? There are only two choices: God or the world. 

2. Mammon -
The word "mammon" is a Syriac word, which signifies money, wealth, riches, substance, and everything that comes under the name of worldly goods. Early Church father Irenaeus says that "mammon” in the Jewish way of speaking, refers to one who is greedy, and would have more than he ought; so according to the Hebrew language, it signifies one that is gluttonous; that is, who cannot refrain himself from gluttony.
In Hebrew “mammon” signifies riches which are opposed to God. This is because it is being loved, admired, trusted in, and worshipped, as if it was God. Mammon is therefore incompatible with the service to the true God: for such people their hearts go after covetousness, and are set upon earthly riches, and are eagerly and anxiously pursuing after them, as they place their confidence in them. Whatever pretensions they may make to the service of God, as did the Scribes and Pharisees, they cannot truly and heartily serve the Lord. 

Conclusion:
So in other words, love for mammon is the cause of all  evil on this earth, that is why St Paul exhorts Timothy, “ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Tim 6:10-11). Shall we obey God’s word in our life and give utmost love and honour to Him alone, who is worthy of all service? May the Lord help us. Amen!

A Victorious Christian Life

We Need to Know the Scriptures Well.

To live a victorious Christian life, one needs to know the Scriptures well. Apart from reading the Bible in Church, it is wise to study the Scriptures on our own in order to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In Hosea 4: 6 it tells us, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.” – what knowledge? That is, the knowledge of the Word of God, the Scriptures!

The following are other reasons why we need to know the Scriptures well to be a victorious mature Christian:

1. The Bible is the Word of God, and is called the “Holy Scriptures” because God reveals Himself to us through its sacred pages.
2. The Scriptures lead us to salvation – God’s wonderful plan of salvation provides a way for sinners to be saved.
3. The Bible teaches us how to live a Christian life. Psalm 119: 105 affirms that God’s Word is “like a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path.” And so when we study the Bible regularly and systematically, we shall continue to grow in Christian maturity.
4. The Scriptures are profitable for doctrine and they equip us to do battle with the enemies of Christ, including false teachers and false prophets. (2 Tim 3: 16)
5. The Scriptures are profitable for reproof and correction: eg; some Christians buy lottery tickets and go to the races, thinking these are harmless! In fact, they are forms of gambling and they are breaking the 10th Commandment: “Thou shalt not covet.” 

Apart from listening to sermons, how can we grow in our knowledge of the Scriptures? The following are some suggestions:
1. attend Sunday school
2. join Bible study groups
3. attend Fellowship meetings
4. do your own daily Quiet Time at a convenient time, using Devotional Study Aids, and a good Bible commentary.

By searching the Scriptures with prayer, one will become a better and more mature Christian, a “man of God made perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works.” (2 Tim 3: 17)

Christ, Christians and the World

Romans 12:1-21

A person’s heart is found in sin, but a Christian is dead in sin. As Christians, we do not have to struggle alone because we have the Word of God. With daily communion with God in prayers and feeding on His Word, we draw strength from God (Jer 33:3).

Romans 12 portrays our relationship with God, our brethren and the world.

v 1:    The mind is not independent of the body but is in sync as one whole body. It is often mistaken that the mind can to be pure and the body, naturally evil. There is no way to claim salvation when one is still abusing his body. Be it our thoughts, words and actions, we should be aware that God is watching.

v 2:      Transformed, not conformed, is the keyword to change in mind- renewing. Only by transformation of renewed minds, can we become obedient to the will of God.

v 3:    Wonderful grace is given by the Lord through His mercies. We are not to take this for granted. Self-esteem does not appear when we consider ourselves to be of no value. How should we perceive our worth? By the price paid for our souls. We are sons and daughters of the King by adoption. Our glory is in Christ. Think soberly considering the gift of faith which allows us to hear the call of Christ when we are bound by nature in the path of evil. God has given us the call of the Spirit that we can respond by the measure of faith. Praise God for the opening of doors to His Kingdom.

v 4-8:    (re: 1 Cor 12:12 – 27) The body of Christ is one body. But the body is not one member but many. We have different gifts but are united as of one body (v 16). And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? if the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? how shall we say if the foot shall say, Because I am not  the hand,, I am not of the body.

There should be no alienation from other members but we are to show genuine love for one another in Christ.

v 9-15:     We are to pray for love that is without pretense or hypocrisy but to love in truth and honesty. We must have genuine love for one another.

Remembering we are dead in sin, neither should we let our pride or human nature take the centre-stage of our mind. We respect our fellow brethren, without compromising with the terms of the world.

We must fully utilize the talents which God has given us.

Our prayers must be unceasing.

v 16-19: At times, we may do our best to be peaceful but are hated because of our Christian principles.

    Let specific wrath give room to wrath of God. Let Him take care of the person you are angry with. Vengeance is of the Lord’s. God will take care of it. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we must remember that God is taking care of us. We must rest in His decision about what is best.

v 20-21:    Our returning good for evil may help our enemy see his need and turn to the God we love and serve. This is in contrast to revenge. The natural response to evil is to return evil but it is never taught in the Bible, we shall not render evil for evil.

What shall we say or do when we see Christ? Have we, like Paul, kept the faith, fought a good fight for the Lord? Till we see the Lord face to face, we shall renew our mind and body, tuning in sync as one towards Christ.

Pr Dennis Kwok

GOD'S RESTORING LOVE

"Take with you words, and turn to the Lord;
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely."
- Hos 14: 2, 4.
"Simon... lovest thou Me?
He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee."- John 21:16.

THE CAUSES of backsliding are many. 
- We have pretended to be living a more devoted life than was actually the case;
- we neglected to watch unto prayer;
- we allowed secret sin to eat out the heart of our piety, 'as the white ant works destruction in the East;
- or we yielded to temptation, and then sought to justify ourselves against the remonstrances of conscience;
- or we yielded to the fear of man, and drifted with the multitude to do evil;
- or we became prosperous, and trusted only in our wealth; or poor, and succumbed to covetousness and the bitterness of despair.

The world despises the fallen, and does not believe in the possibility of entire restoration. It is always suspicious of those who have fallen from their high estate -- the prisoner in the cell, who was once an honoured financier; the beautiful woman who has come under the degrading influence of drink or drugs; the minister or doctor who has incurred shame and disgrace--all such find it hard to be reinstated. But God stoops over the outcast with infinite compassion and love, and promises forgiveness and restoration to all who will return to Him.

It was thus that our Lord dealt with Peter. He knew that in spite of his grievous fall, there was a strong undercurrent of devoted love, and He did not hesitate to entrust to him the care of His sheep and lambs. In a certain museum there is a lovely marble statue which was found broken into hundreds of pieces. The fragments were carefully collected, and with infinite patience fitted together. Finally a seemingly impossible task was accomplished, and the statue stands in all its original completeness and beauty. So the Lord Jesus will take the broken pieces of any life that will come to Him, and with His skilful and tender touch will remake it into something useful and beautiful in His service. This is the meaning of Redemption. The one thing that Christ asks of any of us is that we should follow Him. Whether we can walk, or need to be carried; whether life is young within us, or waning, let us follow Him, love Him, obey Him, and He will turn back our backslidings, and never mention them again.

PRAYER:
O Lord, we would be Thine; let us never fall away from Thee. AMEN. 

From F.B. Meyer