Dear Brethren and Friends,

A popular occasion that is almost celebrated around the globe is none other than Christmas Day which generates much excitement, publicity and festivity. Sadly, few would remember Christmas properly and understand its true meaning and reality.
The true spirit of Christmas surrounds a Person and we ought not to change or mix it with secular consumerism. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the greatest wonder of all times and the mystery of salvation is meant to be comprehended by mankind.

1 Timothy 3:16,
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world,
received up into glory.”

The Reception of the Saviour by the Shepherds
In this present world of mass communication, it is noteworthy that this first advent of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is made publicly known to a small group of lowly shepherd, watching their flock by night (Matthew 2:2-10). The angelic host proclaimed to them,

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

The shepherds could not contain the magnificent news; they rejoiced and went in search of the Blessed Child in a manger in Bethlehem. As a result of this, they went all over, spreading abroad the glad tidings of great joy concerning the child Jesus (Luke 2:17). How do you respond with the knowledge of the good news of salvation that we have received through Christ Jesus? Do we hide the glorious message of redemption or do we also publish it abroad to friends and loved ones around us? Jesus says to a man healed of his demon possession, in Mark 5:19,

“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Let us make this Christmas a meaningful and blessed occasion of Gospel sharing and carolling the good news, praying that some may be saved. Everlasting peace, hope and joy must be shared to many who are still in sin under condemnation and heading for eternity in hell. If you are not a Christian, receive the Lord Jesus Christ today as your Saviour and enjoy the peace with God and the peace of God.

The Reception of the Saviour by the Wise Men
Wise men from the East came in search of a new born King guided by a Star (Matthew 2:1-2). It was prophesised in Micah 5:2 that the birth place of Christ would be Bethlehem Ephratah, about 750 years before the birth of Jesus Christ and this was fulfilled when Mary and Joseph came back to Bethlehem as a result of a census and taxation. The wise men who finally found Jesus, revered Him with grateful worship and adoration, presenting Him with precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
How do we respond to Christ as we commemorate Christmas? Do we  seek and worship Him wholeheartedly with our entire soul, mind and strength? There is to be no half-hearted service but a totally surrendered and committed life of worship and stewardship that is worthy of Jesus Christ, the Almighty King of kings and Lord of Lords. Like the wise men, let us be seeking Christ and give sacrificially to Him of our substance, time and entire life.
May we be blessed with a spiritually edifying Christmas as we focus wholeheartedly on our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Lord, our God and our Saviour.
Elder J Leong

One Thing Thou Lackest Scripture

Text: Mark 10:17-27 

1. The rich young ruler ran and knelt to Jesus. He was earnest and desire for an answer about eternal life. Often we are too busy with earthly pursuits that we neglect the most important part of our life – spiritual life. 

2. The rich young ruler was sincere in his words. He addressed Jesus as Good Master. He knew Jesus was different from other religious teachers. We need to be sincere and genuine to come to Jesus. However, we need to know that we cannot use our own understanding and wisdom to come to God. Everyday we misrepresent God according to our own likings. The only way we can know God is for Him to reveal Himself to us. 

3. God gave us the moral laws and He requires us to obey them perfectly. The rich young ruler thought he has obeyed the laws but he only obeyed them externally. In his heart, he has failed and has actually broken the laws of God. God requires of us a perfect and holy life. All of us have failed and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus wanted the rich young ruler to know he is a sinner and has loved possessions more than God in his heart. 

4. Although Jesus knew the rich young ruler is a sinner, He loved this man with compassion, kindness and pity. The rich young man must come to Jesus for forgiveness of his sins and turn to Jesus as his only Saviour. This is the only way to have eternal life for him.

5. Sadly, the rich young ruler would not want to do it and left Jesus sad and grieved. He would not want to give up his sin. Today, let us not be like the rich young ruler to harden our hearts against Jesus who loves us with a perfect love and gave His life for us on the cross to save us.

What about Sexual Impurity?

 (2 Corinthians 6:9-20)

Introduction

1.         The precepts on sexual purity

2.         The preversion of sexual purity

3.         The punishment of sexual impurities

4.         The prevention of sexual impurities

.           Conclusion and application

1. The precepts on sexual purity

.           Genesis 2:18-25 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (cf. Gen. 1:27,28).

.           Sex is God's invention.  His first word to them!

.           God is the mastermind behind it.

.           An expression of love was created out of God's own heart as a gift to be experienced between a husband and wife.

.           1 Corinthians 7:28 “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.”

.           Hebrews 13:4 – “ bed undefiled”

.           It is only in marriage that this expression of intimacy can be fully enjoyed to the degree and depth for which it was created.

In the Corinthian church

.           It was the Corinthians who said it in their letter to Paul (cf. 1 Cor. 7:1). This was part of the confusion of philosophies in the Corinthian Church.

.           On the one hand a group believed that it did not matter how they treated their bodies (1 Cor.6:12,13);

.           On the other hand another group believed that dedication to the Lord meant abstinence from sexual relations with women even in marriage.

.           Both of these ideas stemmed from pagan origins, and a misunderstanding of God’s character.

The city of Corinth

.           Corinth's strategic location brought commerce and all that goes with it to its shores: wealth, a steady stream of travelers and merchants, and vices.

.           In Paul's day many of the pagan religions included prostitution as part of the worship of their god or goddess. Consequently fornication flourished in Corinth.

.           "Old Corinth had gained such  a reputation for  sexual vice that Aristophanes (ca. 450-385 B.C.) coined the verb korinthiazo (to act like a Corinthian, i.e., to commit fornication).“

.           “The old city had been the most licentious city in Greece, and perhaps the most licentious city in the Empire.“  ~ Historian

Biblical teachings on sex

.           Every book in the OT & NT has this subject which shows it is rampant in their culture;

.           God’s Word contains directives and warnings on this subject of sexual immorality;

.           God is serious about this subject – He knew it would be a problem after the fall of man.

2. The preversion of sexual purity

.           There are different terms in the Bible that describe pre-marital sex.

.           The term "fornication.“ Gk. “porneia” – refers to “any sexual activity outside of marriage."

.           Pre-marital sex is described as "adultery" or "lewdness“.

.           People who participate in pre-marital sex are referred to as "whoremongers" and "whores“.

.           Pre-marital sex or fornication

.           Extra-marital sex or adultery

.           Masturbation or literally "self-abuse“

.           Prostitution – sex with a price

.           Homosexuality and lesbianism

.           Bestiality – sexual intercourse with animals

.           Incest – sexual intercourse with close relatives

.           Pornography – viewing of sexual materials

Most popular shows

“We are living in a time when impurities run rampant. Sex, sex, sex…our culture is near the point of total saturation, and the cesspool is beginning to overflow. Books, magazines, television, movies, and billboards all display sex in living colour because sex gets the ratings. It is the recurring theme in nearly every corner of the media. It is not a bit surprising that one of today’s most popular television shows, Desperate Housewives, is centred on the salacious lives of a handful of unfaithful married and married men and women.”

                                                   ~ Wayne & Carol Mack

Recent sexual impurities

05 July, 2012

Former Ministry of Education (MOE) scholar, who was caught with child-pornography videos in Britain in 2010, now faces 10 charges that include alleged sexual contact with an underage girl.

10 August, 2012

A man accused of paying for sex with an underage girl in the online vice ring scandal;

Two of them - environment champion and former principal - have been dealt with.

The world’s view on sex

Current movies, books, television shows and magazines are full of impressions and suggestions about sex. We have examples all around us of couples engaging in premarital and extra-marital sex.

The world may have nice, fun terms for pre-marital sex, terms such as "doin' it," "foolin' around," "having an affair," "a fling," "one-night stand.“

Sexual sin ranging from lustful thinking to perverted behavior;

Even a quick sampling of television, magazines, the Internet, movies, advertising, and music can drown a person in sexually explicit material that is meant to cause arousal and appeal to the flesh.

Biblical values such as celibacy in the single life, virginity until marriage, and faithfulness during marriage are considered ridiculous and old fashioned - even to some Christians.

3. The punishment of sexual impurities

Leviticus 20:13 “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”

Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

Romans 1:24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”

Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness…and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Ephesians 5:3 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”

Negative Consequences

There are always consequences to sin. Some of those effects can be devastating:

Unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortions, sexual dysfunctions, shame;

Broken relationships with family and friends;

Sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, AIDS);

Robbing yourself of the ability to have a fulfilling sexual relationship in the future when you do get married.

4. The prevention of sexual impurity

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (cf. Proverbs 5:3-11);

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

Genesis 39:9 “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

All sins are considered as wickedness;

Every sin is an affront to God.

Be living in the fear of the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18)

“Do ye not know”

1 Corinthians 6:2 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”

1 Corinthians 6:3 “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

They are not ignorant of the biblical implications taught by Paul, Apollo, Aquila, Priscilla, Timothy, etc .

Conclusion and Application

We are members of Christ  (1 Cor. 6:16,17);

We are children of God (1 Cor. 6:19);

We are specially bought by Christ (1 Cor. 6:20);

None of us is immune to the temptations that Satan will throw at us.

Seek and pray for forgiveness if we have been fallen (1 Cor. 6:11).

The Gentle Servant of Jesus Christ The Gentle Servant of Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 2:24-26

Paul instructed Timothy to be a “gentle” servant of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:24) just as he himself had been one (1 Thess 2:7). To be “gentle” is to be compassionate and kind, to protect and preserve, and not to destroy. This gentleness is to be extended to all men (v 24). Note: This gentleness is to be shown to all NOT because of a fear of offending others. In contrast to the gentle servant is one who strives, is quarrelsome and enjoys engaging in meaningless debates. These are opposite to what Paul taught in 2 Timothy 2:15-16 and 23.

Ways to be a gentle servant of Jesus Christ:

1.   Apt to teach (v 24):  He is able to teach others. To be apt to teach, one must be diligent in studying God’s Word. The result of this will be a life lived for Christ. Such a person will surely display gentleness in his life.

2.   Patient (v 24): One who is patient will endure evil and put up with injustice. Jesus is the example of such patience as we see him being betrayed, being put on trial and being falsely accused. Jesus endured it all. Because He was patient, we can be saved. A gentle servant of Christ knows that truth will out, and that God will vindicate all his sufferings one day. Note: Being patient does not imply procrastination in serving. A patient person will faithfully and sincerely serve with all his might.

3.   Meek (v 25): A gentle servant of Christ has a spirit of humility. He gives God first place in his life. As such, he will be humble and will put others before self. In meekness, the gentle servant is to lead others to know the truth or to restore others to the right path. It is not about winning an argument, or putting others down. We must not become proud or quarrelsome just because we have some knowledge.

Verses 25 and 26 tell us the motives of Paul’s teachings:
•    He desires all to repent of their sins.
•    He desires all to come to know the truth (i.e. that salvation comes only through Christ).
•    He desires all to get out of the snare of the devil.

May we strive to be such a gentle servant of Jesus Christ.

THE WORD “TATTOO”

There are two major derivations:

A polynesian word ‘ta’ which means ‘to strike’ something;

A tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means ‘to mark something’.

Leviticus 19:28  "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.”

IT’S HISTORY - BRONZE AGE

Discovery of a 5000 year old tattooed man ‘ötzi the ice man’. His frozen body was discovered on a mountain between Austria and Italy.

IT’S HISTORY - BRONZE AGE

His skin bears 57 tattoos: a cross on the inside of the left knee, six straight lines 15 centimeters long above the kidneys and numerous parallel lines on the ankles.

ANOTHER DISCOVERY

Archaeologists discovered the mummified remains of Amunet, a priestess of the goddess Hathor, at Thebes who lived some time between 2160 BC and 1994 BC.

This female mummy displayed several lines and dots tattooed about her body - grouping dots and/or dashes were aligned into abstract geometric patterns. this art form was restricted to women only, and usually these women were associated with ritualistic practice.

Japan

The earliest evidence of tattooing found in the form of clay figurines which have faces painted or engraved to represent tattoo marks. The oldest figurines of this kind have been recovered from tombs dated 3,000 BC or older. They symbolically accompanied the dead on their journey into the unknown, and it is believed that the tattoo marks had religious or magical significance.

TATTOOS IN SINGAPORE

11 December 2011 (Channel News Asia)

With youth gangs and other gang-related activities a concern, the authorities are considering imposing a minimum age for getting tattooed.

Deputy Superintendent Tan Yong Hong, head of the Singapore Police Force's Secret Societies Branch on Friday said that his team was "very concerned" about the tattoos on some of the teenaged boys arrested for gang-related activities.

"They tattoo themselves to show off to others that they are tough and 'protected'.

Imposing a minimum age will help prevent the at-risk teens from associating and identifying themselves with hard-core criminals.“

THE CONTEXT OF LEV. 19

“Most of these precepts are binding on us, for they are explanations of the ten commandments. It is required that Israel be a holy people, because the God of Israel is a holy God…” (Matthew Henry’s commentary)

TWO PROHIBITIONS

“…of an unnatural disfigurement of the body: 'Ye shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, nor any print any marks upon you.”

“The latter (Heb. qa aqa, incision) refers to tattooing, and has no reference to idolatrous usages, but was intended to inculcate upon the Israelites a proper reverence for God's creation.“ (Merrill F. Unger, Unger's Bible Dictionary, 1974 ed., p. 696)

Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

"nor print any marks upon you–by tattooing, imprinting figures of flowers, leaves, stars, and other fanciful devices on various parts of their person.”

“…in honor of some idols gave occasion to the prohibition in this verse; and they were wisely forbidden, for they were signs of apostasy; and, when once made, they were insuperable obstacles to a return.“

IT’S POPULARITY

Popular since ancient times in many cultures, tattoos are becoming increasingly common in the United States and other Western nations.

Athletes, musicians and other celebrities, help increase the popularity of tattoos.

IT’S USES AND PURPOSES

"Respectable Greeks and Romans did not indulge in decorative tattooing, which they associated with barbarians. They used it to mark slaves and criminals so they could be identified if they tried to escape.” (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 15)

IT’S CULTURES AND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD

Borneo tattoos were used to ward off harm and disease.

In the Polynesian culture, some say tattoos are a right of passage into manhood.

Some American Indians believed that "war paint" protected them in battle.

IT’S ASSOCIATION

Some say that there are those in Burma today who believe that a tattoo over the heart can stop bullets.

Some cultures believed that tattoos would give them magical power.

Other cultures even believed that tattoos would help them gain admittance into the afterworld.

More people from all walks of life are sporting tattoos as a way to tell people about themselves and important events in their lives.

"It's a way for people to express themselves artistically and mark different times in their lives.”

Eddie Glasner, owner of Chapel Rose Tattoo, Minersville, agreed that a person's tattoos tell a lot about them. "Symbolism is very powerful," he said.

"In addition to being a form of self-destruction, the tattoo seals the wearer off from the rest of normal society forever. It’s not all that surprising to note that the largest number of tattooed in Japan belong to the underworld, and in America tattoos are most prevalent either in jail or hard rock bands."
(Danny Sugerman, Appetite for Destruction: the Days of Guns N’ Roses, p. 40)

Conclusion: Investigations by law enforcement officials

"the presence of ornamental body tattoos could serve to indicate the existence of personality disorders which are liable to manifest themselves in criminal behaviour".
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 117)

"Therefore, many authorities link tattooing with aggression, i.e. anti-authoritarianism, and it cannot be disputed that gangs and delinquents, juvenile or otherwise, display massive evidence of aggression“. (Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 114)

IT’S DANGER

"Hepatitis C is spread by infected blood and infected needles, which is the virus' connection with tattooing. Tattoos involve lots of needles making lots of sticks in the skin. Each stick carries potential for contamination -- and not just with hepatitis, but also HIV, . . .” (Pamela Anderson Says She Has Hepatitis C, WebMD Medical News, March21,2002)

IT’S HEALTH RISKS

"Tattooing poses health risks because the process exposes blood and body fluids. Because of this a person who gets tattooed risks getting a disease or infection that is carried through blood. These blood-borne diseases include hepatitis B and C, tetanus, and HIV.“ (Bonnie B. Graves, Tattooing and body piercing, p. 40)

A WORD OF WARNING

Plastic Surgeon Tolbert S. Wilkinson, of San Antonio, Texas, who has removed tattoos warns:

“…to remove a tattoo…costly and how painful tattoo removal and recognized that society as a whole still views tattoos as a stigma…Laser removal costs a minimum of $7,000.00 (national average) per tattoo, and takes at least 10 to 15 treatments, spread out over two or more years. Even with this treatment, the tattoo is still visible.“

"Since body art is still not mainstream, having marks on your body that you put there on purpose shows the world your rebellious and unconventional nature". (Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book, p. 32)

"In this culture, a tattooed person is still looked at as a rebel, as someone who has very visibly stepped out of the bounds of normal society...“ (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 75)

"Unquestionably tattoos are socially unacceptable.“ (Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 179)

IT’S UNACCEPTABLE TO GOD!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

GOD’S DESIRE FOR YOU

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”