THE GREATNESS OF CHRISTIANITY

Job in his agony asked these same questions.  The book of Job gives us the causes and the reasons for suffering in this world?

A.     Suffering is not always a sign of sin in our life.
In John 9 when the disciples saw a man born blind, they asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” Job suffered so that [the works of God should be made manifest in him] (John 9: 3)

B.    Suffering happens to the godly only by the permissive will of God.  
Many times Satan said to God that Job maintained uprightness because he had received special benefits from Him. God permitted Satan to test Job. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.  So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”  (Job 1: 12) Here we have an instance where God and Satan were in a dialogue.  And God permitted Satan to batter Job but has no power to take his life.

Some people thought they can also have dialogue with Satan.  This is a fool-hardly attitude.  We can never out smart the devil.  The command of the Scripture:  “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

C.     Suffering is permitted by God for His purpose
Gleason Archer gives 4 reasons:
(a) God is worthy of love even apart from the blessings He bestows;
(b) God may permit suffering as a means of purifying and strengthening the soul in godliness;
(c) God’s thoughts and ways are moved by considerations too vast for the puny mind of man to comprehend. Even though man is unable to see the issues of life with the breadth and vision of the Almighty; nevertheless God really knows what is best for His own glory and for our ultimate good. This answer is given against the background of the stereotyped views of Job’s three “comforters,” Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. (Job 4 – 37)

(d) A further purpose is certainly to demonstrate the conflict of the ages between God and Satan and to show the relationship of suffering to this conflict.
In the end, it demonstrates the truth of Rom 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

A. J. Conyer in his book titled, The Eclipse of Heaven mentioned this:
“God bless and know this: The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering, but a supernatural use for it."

Some say that when they are feeling better then they will serve Him.   We ought to serve God now – whether we feel good or not for only the Lord is worthy.

My dear readers,

1.    “Tattoo fashion” among youths
The New Paper (22 and 23 June, 2009) reported cases of schoolchildren in Singapore getting themselves tattooed on various parts of their body.  In Hong Kong, the UK and California State, it is an offence for those under 18 years to be tattooed, and once a tattoo has been done, it is extremely difficult and painful to remove, and it leaves horrible scarring.

For Christians, the act of tattooing is an offence against the body which is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19, 20).  We reprint an article on this “Pagan Practice” from Christian News, May 12, 2008.

Tattooing is all the craze. It is the new rock & roll fashion statement. What is the history of tattooing? It is a pagan practice and has long been associated with idolatry and debauchery.  Even today it is closely associated with paganism.  An article by Clay Thompson in the Pacific News Service for July 27, 1996, was titled “Pagan Fashion’s New Frontier – Facial Tattoos.” Note that the author, who in this article makes no claim to be a Christian, associated tattoos with paganism. He connects it with a “new reverence for pagan beliefs.” A prominent book on tattooing is titled “Pagan Fleshworks.” It is by Maureen Mercury and contains photos of Steve Haworth, identified as “the foremost body modification artist in the United States.” “Body modification” describes the practice of burning, inking, cutting, piercing, and otherwise desecrating one’s God-given body. A 2003 survey of more than 2,000 people in the United States, reported in the AFP for Oct 11, 2003, found that among women who get tattoos, 34%, “feel sexier,” and 29% overall “feel more rebellious.”  It is not surprising that the Christian rock crowd, being only the slightest step behind the world in all points, is adopting tattooing from their pagan secular brethren.

God’s Word says:  “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you:  I am the LORD” (Lev 19:28). “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22).

2.    Parents’ sacred responsibility

Parents’ responsibility toward their children is to “… train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6).  Christian parents must acknowledge this holy trust laid upon them from the Lord.

In our world of high-pressure and fast-tempo living, many parents have relinquished their God-given duty and conveniently turn their children over to the world’s Satan-controlled machines and instruments of mass seduction – TVs, Videos, DVD, Radios, Computers, etc.

David Cloud of “Fundamental Baptist Information Service” says: “Beware of Amusing Children with TV/VIDEOS.”  We reprint his article from Christian News, June 8, 2009.

“The following is excerpted from Training Your Children to Turn out Right, an excellent book by David Sorenson – “I am convinced that discipline of the mind itself is a major key to learning … Parents are guilty on two scores here.  First, many a parent errs by encouraging shallow habits of entertainment. Children are allowed and even encouraged to sit and watch TV entertainment. Let us assume that what they watch is not spiritually and morally harmful (though often it is). Yet, they are allowed to essentially place their minds in neutral. They are tacitly encouraged to just sit there and be entertained. The word ‘amuse’ is made up of the basic word ‘muse’ which means to think and the alpha prefix ‘a’ which means to negate or ‘not.’  Therefore, to ‘amuse’ oneself essentially means to not think.  And that is exactly what an entire generation of American children is doing. Whether it is cartoons, or videos, or other video entertainment, many children are tacitly encouraged to seek to be amused.  Children are conditioned to be mentally lazy and pursue only what entertains their little minds. When it comes to buckling down and actually concentrating, they just shift gears mentally back into neutral and seek something to entertain themselves again.  Secondly, parents are guilty of not taking the initiative and (training the children) themselves, sitting them down and training their minds to concentrate on things which may not be interesting to them but are things which they ought to learn” (Training Your Children to Turn out Right, 1995, pp. 53, 54).  End of article.

A word to concerned Christian parents:  Your children are God’s gifts to you – precious beyond words. Give them the best of the knowledge of God from the Word of God. Teach them to think holy thoughts and learn the ways of God before the world gets them!

If you are in the habit of letting the TV or video amuse and entertain your child, think again, and heed godly advice, before your child becomes caught in the ways of the world.  Read Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Advisory Pastor

Who is the Lord?

Exodus 4:29-31. 5:1-3

Introduction: A 7 year-old girl asked the Pastor, “Who Made God?” 

1.      The Lord is the Supreme Creator of the Universe

         a.      The burning bush experience, Exodus 3:1-5

         b.      The Ten Plagues of Egypt, Ex 7-12

         c.      Exodus of 2 million Israelites for 40 years, Ex 14-24 

2.      The Lord is the Good Shepherd

         a.      He laid down His life for His sheep, John 10:14-18

         b.      He provided all His people’s needs, Psalm 23:1-6

         c.      He led them through the valley of the shadow of death,  Psalm 23:4 

3.      The Lord is the Soul-Saving Saviour of the World

         a.      He mediates on our behalf, 1 Tim 2:5

         b.      He grants all believers eternal life, John 5:24

         c.      He preserves their souls to the end, Jude 24-25 

Conclusion

Life on earth is neither a desert, nor a prison nor a garden.

But life on earth is a test for the after life.

Repentance and Forgiveness a Gift from God

Repentance, a Gift from God

We must thank God for His grace and goodness leading us to repentance (Rom 2:4). Saving repentance must come from God alone, neither by miracles nor by punishment. God’s Word confirms, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31), and “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18), and “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Tim 2:25). Seeing this truth, we shall give God all the glory and praise when a sinner repents as “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7). We should not take God’s grace for granted, but repent right away when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. It was too late for Esau, who despised God’s blessings, “For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears” (Heb 12:17).

Forgiveness, a Gift from God

Next, God does not only give repentance but also forgiveness of sins. The term forgiveness, in Greek aphesis, has 17 occurrences, the KJV translates as “remission” nine times, “forgiveness” six times, “deliverance” once, and “liberty” once. Of 17 times, it is used together with the term sins 12 times, “forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31; 13:38, et al) or “remission of sins” (Matt 26:28; Luke 24:47, et al). Our Lord Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance (aphesis) to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty (aphesis)  them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). Then, we must thank God that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has authority to forgive us our sins as well as to deliver us from the power of sin, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin… If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 6:34, 36), and “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25).

Repentance Ineffective without God’s Grace

Although God desires all mankind to repent (2 Peter 3:9) and to be saved (1 Tim 2:4), and the Lord Jesus Christ died for them all, rose again, and is welcoming all to His salvation with His open arms, “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37), human beings with their depraved and sinful nature are not able to change their corrupt mind toward God, self and sin even though they may see miracles or be punished severely. 

Miracles: Many think that there must be performance of miracles, signs and wonders to bring sinners to Christ, but the truth is not so. A sinner who is able to repent from sin and to return to God with a submissive heart is surely by His grace alone, not by signs or wonders. Our Lord Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). After their death, Lazarus was carried into Abraham’s bosom while the rich man was in torments in Hell. The rich man prayed Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to testify unto his five brethren, lest they also come into his place of torment. Abraham said unto him, “They have Moses and the prophets (God’s Word, the Scripture); let them hear them” (v 29). The rich man said, “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent” (v 30), but Abraham said unto him, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets (God’s Word), neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (v 31). No miracles, even the resurrection from the dead, can truly bring a sinner to repentance. We should not be surprised or deceived by the claims of charismatic leaders, who are boastful of many who have been converted through their performance of signs and wonders. Whether they truly repent from sin and return to God in faith and submission does count, and this comes from God and by His grace alone, not by signs or wonders.

Punishment: Sometimes we think that when unbelievers suffer from severe rebukes,  trials, disciplines, punishment, they may repent from their sins and come back to God, but the truth is not so. When their sins were exposed, they showed their hatred and anger (John 7:7; Acts 5:33; 7:54-59). Many were angry with God when they lost their loved ones in natural disasters like Tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, or cyclones, etc. The Scripture tells us that when God pours His judgment or punishment upon this wicked world with great tribulations, plagues and disasters, the people do not repent, but blaspheme His name, “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works… Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Rev 9:20-21). “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory… And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds (Rev 16:9, 11).

To God’s children, whom He has chosen and saved, God lovingly chastised or corrected them so that they may “be partakers of His holiness” (Heb 12:10). We should give thanks to God when we are chastised, knowing that it is His love and grace to bring us to repentance and forgiveness and sanctification, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Cor 7:10).

The Message of Repentance

“Repentance toward God” (Acts 20:21) is the first step for sinners to enjoy God’s salvation in Christ. It is vital because it is the message preached by our Lord Jesus Christ and His servants, because it is God’s desire, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), because it is God’s command for all mankind everywhere, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30), and because it is Christ’s commission to His followers, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

John the Baptist preached, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2).

The Lord Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15), and “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). After His ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ still preached the messages of repentance through the apostle John to the seven churches in Asia Minor except the two churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Rev 2:5), and “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Rev 2:16), and “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev 3:19), and so forth.

Jesus’ Disciples “went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:12).

Peter preached, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Paul’s preaching is “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), and “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).

Nowadays, many like to preach an easy and broad-way Gospel to attract and draw many people, ignoring the message of repentance or failing to emphasise the true meaning of repentance. How about you and me? The message of repentance is for sinners and backsliders, then how hard it is to preach this message when many do not acknowledge their sins, shortcomings, compromise, unbelief, or even their apostasy!

 by Rev Hien Nguyen

How to Have a Long-suffering Heart

As our human longsuffering is limited, what should we do to have a long-suffering heart?

Be Born Again: We can never produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit by ourselves. We must be born again by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word (John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23) and then humbly submit ourselves to the Lord and His Word so that the Holy Spirit may produce His fruit of love, joy, peace and longsuffering in our hearts.

Grow in God’s Grace and Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18): The more we know our God and His love, His grace, His mercy, His goodness and His longsuffering toward us, the more we may be constrained by His love to bear with others and forgive them. It is good for you and me to remember that we have owed our Lord so much, an unpayable debt, and that we have been forgiven and saved by His grace and mercy alone, or else we only deserve to be condemned to Hell of fire for ever due to our sins, transgressions, unrighteousness and iniquities.

Have Been Purchased to Follow the Lord: God has redeemed or bought us with His great price, with the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, so we are not our own but the Lord’s (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). It is good to remember that our lives, our time, our bodies, our names, etc. belong to the Lord and even our “self” has been crucified with the Lord (Gal 2:20) so that we may not be upset or angry when others may offend us or damage our reputation. We just follow our Lord Jesus Christ, “because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:20-23).

Rely on the Lord and Pray to Him (John 15:5; Col 1:9-11): God expects you and me to have “faith and patience (makrothumía)” to “inherit the promises” (Heb 6:12) like Abraham, who had patiently waited for 25 years until God gave him Isaac. God even commands us to “Be patient (makrothumía) therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7). Acknowledging our limited longsuffering, we should rely on our Lord for His glorious power to persevere (hupomone) in all things and bear with (makrothumía) all men, “be patient (makrothumía) toward all men” (1 Thess 5:14), even in preaching God’s Word (2 Tim 4:2) and in suffering injustice and unfairness, trusting in our God’s sovereignty and cry unto Him for help and justice, “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them (makrothumía)?” (Luke 18:7).

Stephen Bennette story his life

To read the tract in its entirety (.pdf), click on the tract above or click here.

Stephen Bennette story his life

Stephen, 47 years old, is a former homosexual man. He lived as an active homosexual for over 11 years, and struggled most of his life with same-sex attraction. In 1990, Stephen, happy with his lifestyle and in a committed "gay" relationship for several years, was lovingly and biblically confronted about his lifestyle by a Christian with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Two years later, he was born again and he completely surrendered his life to the Lord. His journey of "coming out" of homosexuality then began. He would never be the same again.

Proper Attitudes

Be separate: “From such turn away.” You and I must be separate unto the Lord alone for His use and His glory alone, and not for any selfish motives, ambition or gain.

Take up the cross, deny oneself, and die to self: God’s challenge is always the same, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23) and “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). The selfish and self-centred heart and life are against the Lord Jesus Christ, who denied Himself and humbly obeyed His Father unto death. How about you and me?

Look unto our Lord Jesus and follow Him: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Looking at the ungodly people around us, we may think that we are better, holier and godlier. Looking at the difficulties, troubles, contempt, hatred, or persecutions around us, we may be discouraged and fainthearted. Thus, you and I should wisely look unto our Saviour Jesus Christ and turn unto Him for His strength, encouragement and power to live a true godly and faithful life until the end.

Self-Centred Heart and Lifestyle

“Men shall be lovers of their own selves” (phílautos/phílos-autos): lovers of oneself, self-centred/selfish persons. As “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9), it is dangerous when human beings only love themselves and want to be king of their hearts and lives regardless of God, God’s Word or moral values. They do not mind sin, deceit, and wickedness as long as they gain what they like and want for their selfish interest, ambition and comforts, leading to a self-centred lifestyle, a man-centred family, a man-centred worship, a man-centred society, etc. God is the Source of all spiritual blessings, holiness, godliness, love, peace and joy. Therefore, if human beings turn their back against their Creator and Maker, even deny Him and His creation, and reject God’s salvation for them in Jesus Christ, how can they live a holy, godly, loving, peaceful and joyful life? Absolutely not! How about you and me?

“Covetous” (philárguros): lovers of silver/money. Money is good but “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10). A person who loves money or a well-paid job/position is willing to tell lies to promote himself/herself or to damage others’ reputation for his/her selfish gain. A pastor who loves money is easy to compromise and to please men for “filthy lucre.” Those who love themselves and materialism cannot love God, “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). How about you and me?

“Boasters” (alazon): show-off. Those who love themselves love also their names and want to be praised by men, so they do not mind speaking many good things of themselves and doing many good works before men to show off and get honour from men. How about you and me?

“Proud” (huperephános): shine/show oneself above others, arrogant, proud, despising others. Those who love themselves also love to be superior to others, so they usually try to show themselves above others, better than others, smarter than others, more knowledgeable and skilful than others, etc. Achieving this aim, they become proud and arrogant, despising others. Many proudly think that they are holier and more spiritual, or godly than others. How about you and me?

“Blasphemers” (blasphemos): those who are reviling/destroying others’ good name; speak against God. Those who love themselves and their superiority are not only proud but also arrogant to criticise others, to criticise even God’s Word and to speak against God and the Lord Jesus Christ. How about you and me?

“Disobedient to parents” (apeithes): unwilling to be obedient. Those selfish children only love themselves, think of themselves and want to do what they like, are rebellious against their parents. They arrogantly reject their parents’ advice and instructions. They even argue with their parents to defend their selfish lifestyle or want to “escape” from their parents’ godly care and admonition.

“Unthankful” (acharístos): unthankful, ungrateful. Only loving oneself and thinking of oneself leads to ingratitude. Many are not thankful to God their Creator and fail to worship Him while they are enjoying God’s goodness and blessings around them, even their breath, the air, the sunshine, the rain, the crops, the food, etc. so God’s wrath is against them (Rom 1:18-25). Selfish children are not thankful to their parents but take their parents’ love and sacrifice for granted! God’s Word teaches us to give “thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20).

“Unholy” (anosíos): unholy, ungodly. With human sinful nature, those who love themselves are enslaved to sins and enjoy living in sins, ungodliness and worldliness. God’s command is always the same, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

“Without natural affection” (astórgos): without family love. Many do not highly value “family love,” nor treasure it nor maintain it. Thus, there is family breakdown, separation, divorce, adultery and fornication. Children left their families to live in “freedom” with their friends! God’s curse is upon the homosexual, but many proudly think that it is not a sin or an abomination before the holy God!

“Trucebreakers” (áspondos): unwilling to be reconciled, absolutely irreconcilable. Those who are self-loving and arrogant are unwilling to humble themselves to be reconciled with others. There is no true unity in the family, in the church or in the society!

“False accusers” (diábolos): falsely accuse and divide people without any reason. Those who love themselves and their reputation are willing to tell lies and falsely accuse others to lift themselves up and to put others down. They do not want to admit their sins or mistakes but try to justify themselves and blame others or the situations for the damage or failure.

“Incontinent” (akrates): without strength, unable to control one’s appetites. Many just love to eat and drink what they like although they know that it may not be good for their health. Many are addicted and enslaved to drinking and smoking!

“Fierce” (anemeros): not mild/gentle; fierce. Those who love themselves and are enslaved to their sinful nature cannot control their temper, so they easily and quickly get upset and angry when they are offended or criticised. Thus, we see domestic and social violence almost everywhere. The Jews were offended by Jesus teaching against sins and hypocrisy, so they fiercely tried to take away Jesus’ life! It is still true today.

“Despisers of those that are good” (aphilágathos): hostile to good men. The Jewish leaders envied Jesus for His holy life and fruitful ministry, so they hated Him, persecuted Him and crucified Him. Human nature is “enmity against God” (Rom 8:7). We should not be discouraged “because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19).

“Traitors” (prodótes): give forward into another’s, give away; a betrayer, a traitor. Those who love themselves and money are willing to betray others for earthly gain. Jesus Christ was betrayed, so you and I should be prepared and wisely trust in God alone (Ps 118:8-9).

“Heady” (propetes): fall forward/rush headlong or out of control into matters. Those who are controlled by their deceitful, selfish and arrogant nature have so much confidence in themselves that they quickly rush into matters without careful thinking, especially patiently waiting for God’s guidance, help and timing!

“Highminded” (tuphóo): be lifted up with pride. With so much boastfulness, pride, arrogance and self-confidence, these self-lovers just highly think of themselves and lift themselves up. It is so dangerous as “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

“Lovers of pleasures” (philedonos) “more than lovers of God” (philótheos). Many nowadays just love worldly pleasures (movies, entertainments, friends, parties, dancing, etc.) more than God and His Word. They do not mind spending their time chit-chatting with friends or watching a movie, but they have no time for God and His Word in prayer, devotion, and worship.

“Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof” They only outwardly show that they fear God and love God but inwardly they have no spiritual power to truly fear Him or love Him. They have so much “confidence in the flesh” that they do not humbly seek God, His Word and His power in prayer, dependence, and submission. They “reject” God’s power! They are deceiving themselves by proudly thinking that they are good and godly while it is only an outward show!

Our Commitment to Holiness

Bible Text : 1 Peter 3:15-16   

 

INTRODUCTION: 

1 Peter 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (cf. Isa.8:13). 

“Sanctify” – “to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: hallow, be holy, sanctify.” 

“We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are awful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages others to glorify and honour him.” Matthew Henry 

1.            HOLINESS IN THE HOME (v.1-7) 

·                 Our Christian Submission (v.1,5,7)

·                 Our Christian Conversation (v.1,2 cf. v.16)

·                 Our Christian Decoration (v.3,4) 

E.g. Of Holy Women: Of Sarah (Gen.18:12); Of Hannah (1 Sam.1:7-13); Of Abigail (1 Sam.25:3,18); Of Ruth (Ruth 1:16,17). 

2.            HOLINESS IN THE CHURCH (v.8-12) 

·                  Positively: There should be Christian Harmony, Sympathy, Fraternity, Pity, Courtesy (v.8)

·                   Negatively: There should not be Unchristian Behaviour  (v.9-11)

·                   Ultimately: There will be Accountability (v.12) 

3.            HOLINESS IN THE WORLD (v.13-22) 

·                   Our Sufferings in the World (v.13,14-17; cf. 2 Tim. 3:12)

·                   Our Christian Defense in the World (v.15,16)

·                   Our Saviour’s Example in the World (v.18-22) 

·               APPLICATION: 

·                 We should exercise personal holiness in our church, in our homes and in the world at large;

·                 The main purposes of this holy living are the salvation of souls and the honour of our holy God (v.1,15,16,18,20);

·                  In the end, there will be rewards and blessings laid up for us in heaven (v.22). 

·                CONCLUSION: 

Verse to Remember - Isaiah 8:13 “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

Ye are Chirst's

Whose are You? (1 Cor. 3:18-23)

 

First Corinthians 3:16-23 are the concluding remarks of Paul of the first section of his letter to the believers in Corinth. Paul had three points – all stated negatively – (1) Do not destroy the temple of God, (2) Do not deceive yourself, (3) Do not glory in man.

do Not Deceive yourself (3:18-20)

Many Christians are deceived by the wisdom of this world (age). Christians deceived themselves when they are led astray by the wisdom of this age. The reason we are led astray is that we are impressed by the men whom the world approves as being wise.

+        Lesson: God’s work must be done God’s way. There can be no mixing of worldly wisdom in the work of the church.

+        Lesson: Go to the Bible – read and study it. You cannot build your own spiritual life by using the wisdom of the world.

Paul’s prescription for this disease of self-deluded wisdom is to become “foolish.” A Christian who lives godlily will be thought of as a “fool” by the world. Our Lord Jesus asks, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26)

+        Lesson: Are you a “fool” in the eyes of the world?

do not glory in man (3:21-23)

Do not glory in yourself. The man who boasts about himself is self-conceited. The man who boasts about another man is misguided. The man who boasts in God is the man who is truly wise. The reason Christians should not boast in other men is that we possess all things (3:21-22). All things included:

·                     God’s servants – All the people who have been a spiritual encouragement to you, these are yours. Give thanks to God for them, but do not glory in them.

·                     The world – Man was created to have dominion over the world. With the fall, man’s dominion over the world was lost. But the dominion is restored to the redeemed so that we are afraid of how the world thinks and treats us.

·                     Life – The Christian is not controlled by circumstances because we know a God who is sovereign.

·                     Death – Death is the final tyranny of man. Death to the Christian is a prized possession because Christ had conquered death (1 Cor. 15:55).

+        Lesson: Do you live with the knowledge that all things are yours in Christ Jesus? If you do, why then glory in men?

  Conclusion: Live because you are christ’s

Live with that confidence that all things are yours. All things are yours because God loves His Son, and He loves you.

    Unbeliever:         The supreme benefit of believing in Christ is that He has redeemed us. He has paid the price – with His life and precious blood – to save us from our sins.

        Believer:         Ye are Christ’s.  It means that you are not your own; you are not the world’s, meaning that you neither conform to nor live for the world. You must live a Christ-centred, Christ-exalting life

A Visual History of the King James Bible

by Donald J Brake and Shelly Beach 

For 400 years the King James Version of the Holy Bible has been the most influential book to be published in the English language. Now Bible collector and expert Donald L. Brake brings to life the fascinating story of its creation and proliferation throughout the English-speaking world. With beautiful and informative photos, illustrations, charts, and sidebars, Brake invites readers to explore the KJV's mysterious beginnings, the men who translated it, the manuscripts upon which that translation was based, the important people and places that influenced its production, and even Shakespeare's involvement in it. In an age where a new translation of the Bible seems to come about every few years, discover what has made the King James Version endure for four centuries.

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The Great Commission

 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,  even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20

The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. Firstly, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. Secondly, it is a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth. The Great Commission is the end of the Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. There are four major observations that start with “ALL” in these verses; we shall deal with them one by one. 

a) All Power (18b):
 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
This is an incredibly powerful statement which demands faith in Jesus Christ, validating His power and authority in the lives of Christians and their commitment to Him. This verse acts as a clear claim to Christ's omnipotence, and therefore His deity. If Christians do not believe this statement, complete faith does not exist. Jesus is very clear about His power and authority in the world - it is complete and total from the beginning of time itself (John 1:1-3, Col 1:16-18). 

b) All nations,(19a):
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

In verse 19, Jesus gives His believers specific directions to follow after they had affirmed their faith. Jesus calls all His followers to act and share the Good News of salvation throughout the world. People hear this calling and travel each year on missionary trips throughout the earth, spreading the Word of Jesus Christ. Many Christians have made incredible sacrifices, travelling to remote regions of the world beyond civilized cities to jungle and desert areas. Mission fields can also be very close to home. It could be a neighbouring area which has not heard the Good News or a poverty stricken area just down the road where the people can't afford Bibles.

In the 21st century, the Internet has become a “mission field” where people can reach out and share Christ's love. The places and people who need to hear the Gospel are everywhere! 

c) All things: (v20a):
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”

Finally, in verse 20a, Jesus provides specific direction with affirmation to His followers; Christians are instructed to teach others about Jesus Christ and the entirety of His truth. We can't profess Christ as Saviour and Lord, while rejecting certain of His teachings. 

d) Always with you (20b):
…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As we teach Christ's truths, verse 20b declares that we can be confident, in faith, that Jesus Christ will support us. This fact has proven trustworthy throughout the centuries as millions of believers have heard, accepted and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yes, Christ has ascended back to heaven, but He is present by the power of the Holy Spirit in every believer!

This great commission is packaged with a promise that “He is with us always, even unto the end of the world.” Here we are expected to obey in order to receive this great blessing.

Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the “Good News”. This is faith in action! People who obey this command change their spiritual lives forever! It could be spreading the Good News to a neighbour or moving to another country to teach the people there. It could be sharing with less fortunate kids down the street or spreading the Word in our own neighbourhood. Wherever we go, every faithful Christian is compelled through obedience to share the Gospel. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, where has He called you to go? Who has God put on your heart to share the gift of salvation? What small or large steps can you take, with the knowledge that Christ will be by your side, "to make disciples of all nations"?