THE FULLNESS OF TIME

SUNDAY SERVICE: 8 DEC 2013
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN
TEXT: Galatians 4:4,5

What was it like to live in the time of Isaiah waiting for the coming Messiah, anticipating the birth of the child who would be called Immanuel? (Isaiah 7:14) .

Advent has something to say to us about waiting and hoping. In writing about Jesus’ coming, Paul’s letter to the Galatians said: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons." (Gal 4:4,5) 

The phrase ’fullness of time’ in Greek is KAIROS. It refers to God’s perfect timing when every opportunity is in place to achieve a perfect objective. So at KAIROS time – the fullness of time, at the right time - God sent his Son Jesus, born of virgin Mary.

The advent of Jesus in God’s “fullness of time” has personal applications too. We can see it as a process that is designed to build our relationship with God in the following ways:

The necessity of faith Much of Christian experience is founded upon what we do not see, hoping for things yet to come. We cannot be Christians without living by faith and accepting uncertainties in life. When Habakkuk first declared that the “righteous shall live by faith” (Hab 2:2-3) the righteous faith of believers was displayed in trusting God and clinging to His promises, even when things did not make sense.

In waiting, we develop an attitude of faith in God’s faithfulness, learning to put God’s kingdom and his perfect timing first above our own desires.

The discipline of self-reflection As Christians we should expect a lot of waiting in our spiritual journey for it is often God’s way to make us examine our deepest desires in order to deepen trust in Him.

Psalm 62:1 equates waiting for God’s salvation to confident rest. We reflect if we are truly waiting for his direction, or if are are insisting on our own ambition. This was Abraham’s lesson, waiting until old age for God to give him a son, and then learning the hard way about obeying God completely and sacrificially.

Waiting is denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and surrendering in humility to God.

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”  

Through self-denial, we are drawn to God and his perfect will for us, learning to put away idols that may grip our heart.

The imperative of God’s sovereignity Waiting for the fullness of time is submission to God’s sovereignty and recognising Nd loving his Kingship over our life. Jesus is not Lord and King if we are always fighting against God’s desire for us.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 

What then is the ultimate good that comes out of waiting for God? Paul explains right after this verse in v29 that, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...”
To willingly accept God’s agenda and what He does for our good - that we become like Jesus - is the heart’s desire of those who truly love God.
May all who love God consider their period of waiting as a time to strengthen faith, learn self-denial, and humbly trust in His perfect will. For the outcome of God’s action upon their life is to transform them into the likeness of Jesus for their eternal good.

GOD’S MISSION IN THE ADVENT

SUNDAY SERVICE: 1 DEC 2013 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: Eph 1:7-12

The Advent season reminds the Church of the weeks leading to Jesus’ birth.

Modern day believers tend to see Jesus’ coming as a personal saviour to save them from sin and death and to bless them with all good things. The Jews on the other hand – while rejecting Jesus as Messiah – look to the yet to come Messiah who would be a national savior, with Jerusalem as the new centre of God’s rule as in the days of King David.

God’s plan is far grander and it encompasses a cosmic and universal salvation.

Eph 1:7-12 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 

GOD’S MISSION Paul’s letter uses words and phrases such as “mystery of his will” (v9), “according to plan” (v11), “purpose of his will” (v11). God’s mission is God’s purpose in human history. As his letter shows, it is God’s mission to bring everything under Christ’s dominion or authority: “to unite all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (v10) and to bring about shalom. The coming of Jesus which ends on the cross and resurrection is how God will accomplish this.

Col 1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him…. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 

GOD’S STRATEGY After declaring God’s grand plan and purpose, Paul now tells his readers that they were chosen to conform with the purpose of his will (Eph 1:11) .

• God’s strategy is to set apart people – beginning with Abraham, and then thru his descendants. This means the conversion of hearts and minds of people who respond to the gospel of Jesus. We need saving, and it is God’s desire that all people are saved. In other words, we are part of God’s eternal strategy to accomplish his purposes. 

• God sets out to transform the way people think and act. This is what Paul means when he says God seeks to conform us to his will. Many believers think they are at the centre of God’s salvation plan, and therefore think and act as if they are entitled to personal comfort and spiritual blessings. To conform to God’s will is to embrace God purpose in history and work to advance God’s agenda. God’s agenda is advanced when we involve ourselves in his mission of reconciliation: 

2 Cor 5:17 The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 

• God sends his people out to witness to God’s salvation – applying God’s purpose to society, bringing righteousness and justice, modeling community living as Jesus’ body, and to invite others to enter into God’s shalom through Jesus Christ. We prefer to be saved, but we don’t like being sent. Yet this is what Jesus says: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)

CONCLUSION  Believers are saved from a certain state for a certain purpose, and not merely to wait for heaven.



Advent is a timely reminder of God’s cosmic mission. It is also another encouragement to the church to put away its self-centeredness and embrace God’s mission in practical ways. When we obey him in this, we are living “to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:12). As Chris Wright says, it is a marvelous privilege to be invited to join our God in his grand purpose for human history, and for this we are humbled and thankful!

May God be glorified by our faithfulness.

SERVING THE LIVING GOD

SUNDAY SERVICE: 24 NOV 2013 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:8-10

SUMMARY:

What exactly do we mean by serving God?

Serving God is a mandate and responsibility In the book of Genesis 2 the retelling of creation informs us that God created Man and placed him in the middle of Eden. “Then the LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.” (v15)  

Subsequently, when God gave Adam a ‘suitable companion to help him’ (v18) - or a ‘helpmeet’ in older translations - it cannot simply be for narrow mutual benefit alone. It is more appropriate to understand this to be God’s plan for Adam and Eve to work and serve God together, to care, work, manage, nurture, make the world flourish and grow in beauty to the glory of God.

It is possible to infer that the command to multiply and have children was so that there would be more helpers and gardeners. Therefore followers of Jesus are not to live for themselves: we are gardeners, carers, workers and stewards, doing good for God’s creation and the larger community.

Serving God is a specific pattern of outward behavior This outward behavior is an expression of inner transformation. To serve God is first to turn away from unbelief and to turn towards the Living God. We see this in the example of the Thessalonian Christians:

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 

These believers expressed their service to God as faithful witnesses to the gospel, being dedicated in the face of persecution, and by living exemplary lives of holiness. This is clearly not a shallow modification of behaviour but a deep work of the Holy Spirit.

In another reference, Paul commended these same believers for their sacrificial lifestyle: "...but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will  they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God's people in Judea." 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Serving God is an attitude of submission The words service, serve, servant, carry varying shades of meaning in Scripture. Sometimes the word refers to any form of help that is generally offered to another person. Other times it refers to a specific duty as in Acts 6:1-3, where we first read about deacons and their ministry of ‘serving tables’.

The point is, to believe in God is to submit and serve him exclusively. Apostles like John, Peter and Paul acknowledge that they are God’s servants. “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” Romans 1:1 This is the heart attitude of a servant who knows his God, not a title or social class.

Interestingly, in John 15:15 Jesus said to his disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” All believers serve in the joyful comfort and security of friendship with Jesus.

Serving God is our spiritual worship  “By the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12: 1

God’s gift of salvation in Jesus leads to a new life. A life of righteousness is now our act of worship. “Spiritual worship” or act of worship carries the same sense as ‘service’  in the original language. Above all, service must include righteous living and the pursuit of holiness.

Finally, we are confronted with a choice: Judas and Peter finished differently even when both were in the presence of the same Lord. Only one served God right to the end. If we call Jesus King and Lord, then we are drawn to submit to him and obey him.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 

We all serve somebody – whom are you serving?

No Other Gods

SUNDAY SERVICE: 17 NOV 2013 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 8:11-20 

SUMMARY:
It is not often that believers admit to being ‘idolaters’ or people who worship idols other than God. But as Tim Keller says, an idol is the one thing other than God that you could not live without. A good thing that has become the ultimate thing is equally an idol.

Moses’ farewell message to the children of Israel before they crossed into the Promised Land is therefore timely advice.

"Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Deut 8:11-14 

We are called to worship God alone and not the things he has created or blessed us with for several reasons. Chris Wright's quote comes to mind.

God is to be worshipped because he alone is the living God  Deut 4:39 “Know therefore today, and lay it in your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” There is no other God but Yahweh, the living God. Because he is the living God, he is able to give us life.

One recurring phrase in Deuteronomy  is, “that you may live.” Eg, Deut 8:1 “Be careful to follow…that you may live.” The only way to meaningful life is to worship the living God.

God is to be worshipped because he alone is worthy God is often presented in the context of his mighty acts. He delivers, he saves, he leads, he blesses. Who else but God is worthy? Ex 20:1 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” 

God is worthy of our sole worship not only because other Gods are false, but because he has been good to us. The greatest thing God has done for us is to show us grace and welcome us into his kingdom on the basis of Jesus' death on the cross. The appropriate response to God’s salvation is not merely belief or acceptance, but worship. As God has declared “I brought you out of Egypt; now do not worship other Gods but Yahweh, the LORD alone."

God is to be worshipped because he holds our life in his hand It is true that we love God because he first loved us. But we worship God also because he has the power to determine life and death. Heb 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

It is not possible to worship One whom we do not fear. As Heb 12:29 says, isn't God a “consuming fire.” We are in reverent awe, we are humbled, because God has the power to take our life away. So God warns the Israelites, “If you go after other Gods, to worship and serve them, I solemnly warn you, you shall perish” vs19,20.

Conclusion We note how Israel was often denounced by God’s prophets because she forgot who God was and what He had done. We may keep at our spiritual routines, we go to church, give our tithes, etc. But if God no longer holds the utmost place of importance and no longer impacts our life’s decisions, we have indeed forgotten Him.

May God help us to keep away from idols.

Walking with Jesus

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10 NOV 2013 
SPEAKER: PASTOR RAYMOND KOH 
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 2:6,7

 SUMMARY

Colossians 2:6,7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (NASB) 

The message of the Gospel is not merely conversion but transformation. And transformation must lead to visible impact or influence upon our community.This is a long-term view which must be marked by obedience to Jesus who is not just our Saviour but Lord of all. What does such a commitment imply? We look at key words in this scripture passage.

Walk
Our Christian life is said to be a ‘walk.’ It implies action, progress, and faithfulness. Though it that may not always be comfortable it is always dynamic and exciting. It also means walking with Jesus, not with the wicked. Such an act refers to the relational aspect of faith. Additionally when we walk we meet others along the way who we can pray for or share the gospel with. In time we may even draw others to join our journey.

Rooted
To be rooted in God one should delight in God’s word and spend time on it.

Ps 1:2,3 “…but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

We also need to be rooted in the community as little can be achieved if we do not identify with the people we serve. Being rooted in the community allows God’s people to do good in a more profound way. We look for opportunities in times of confusion; we are present to help especially those in need, whether spiritual or material. Although we may not see results overnight, we can persevere. As Covenant EFC's Rev Edmund Chan says, “Think big, start small, grow deep.”

Built up
1 Cor 3:10-13 "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it."

Being built up involves the ministry of a number of people. We are building, yet other faithful Christians also contribute towards building up our faith. The believer must move from being firmly rooted to being built up. To build oneself up in faith is a continuing effort of being established upon the right foundation.

The right foundation is obviously Jesus and God’s Word, but we must not neglect the practical expression of faith as well. The more we walk, the more we trust; the more we are nourished by his Word, the more established in faith we become.

Thankfulness
Finally, the believer must express thankfulness or gratitude in all situations. Every situation is either a challenge or a blessing. We need to cultivate a way of looking at things from a different perspective. Very often believers who are walking in Jesus need to recognise problems as opportunities - as in the case of the Allah controversy. By so doing we we express thankfulness. A believer who overflows with thankfulness is evidence of one who is built up in Jesus.

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PASTOR RAYMOND KOH is the Executive Director of non-profit Harapan Komuniti.

COMMUNION & COMMUNITY

SUNDAY SERVICE: 3 NOV 2013 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-34

In Mt 28:19-20, Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, baptize converts and “to observe all that I have commanded you” (v20). We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are the only 2 sacraments that Jesus commanded His Church to observe.

Our Lord himself commanded us to observe the Holy Communion as a memorial, “in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24). The Bible does not provide instructions regarding the actual observance – composition of bread, wine, who should conduct, how frequent, etc - and therefore what is important is ‘discerning’ the occasion (1 Cor 11:25) and participating with gratitude.

Here are other lessons to take home from our Communion celebration. 

We acknowledge that only Jesus truly satisfies  We begin by recognising what Jesus has accomplished. John 6:53-56, Jesus said: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you…Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”

Eating and drinking are another way to describe participating in God’s drama; we enter into God’s salvation story. The Lord’s Supper tells us only Jesus can nourish us, satisfy us deeply, and sustain us for this life and until he comes again.

We affirm our communion with God and community with one another Observance of the Lord’s Supper is profoundly about communion and community. Communion means intimate fellowship. Community is a group of people living in active meaningful fellowship and sharing things or values in common. Jesus’ death brings us into right relationship with God, and right relationship with one another.

1 Cor 10:16-17 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.  I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation (koinonia) in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf 

• We are equally welcomed before the Lord The fellowship is a free invitation offering the same meal for all who say yes. The whole bread means we are one though we are many. But this symbolism is meaningless unless we eat and drink and fellowship together. 

• It teaches us to care for one another Christians who eat together in communion cannot neglect or remain indifferent to one another. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the importance of forgiving one another, caring for one another, and supporting the body towards life and growth in Christ. We are one body in Christ, one with each other, with responsibilities towards one another. 

• It gives us grace to bear life’s tragedies While we remember how Jesus death has saved us from God’s wrath, his victory over death and all its symbol of hope and triumph does not make the tragedy less painful. Before there is relief, there is need for endurance. Being in community we find grace to bear each other’s pain. Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

• It is a hint of what heaven will be like  When a person accepts Jesus Christ, he or she becomes a member of the Church, the true invisible Church, and is automatically engaged to Christ. A caring community of forgiven sinners from all walks of life reminds us what true community is intended to be.

May God grant us grace to be a community that glorifies His name!

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DAVID TAN is Chairman and Elder of Hope EFC and the proprietor of an advertising agency.

GOSPEL FAITH

SUNDAY SERVICE: 27 OCT 2013 
SPEAKER: DAVID TAN 
TEXT: ROMANS 1:16-17

SUMMARY
Gospel faith is founded on the doctrine that our salvation is COMPLETELY an act of repentance of sin, and turning to Jesus in faith. The good news is, Jesus died to save us “while we were still sinners ” and not on the basis of our own righteousness. By God’s grace we are now accepted and justified – we now live in obedience as the fruit of our repentance and a testimony of our love for the Lord who loved us first.

Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 

It was in 1513 that Martin Luther came to this radical realization as he read Paul’s letter to the Romans . In 1517 he set off a movement that would revolutionise Christianity and changed the world.

What is the gospel? It is  good news concerning Jesus whose coming was foretold in the Old Testament, who was born, died and rose again (Rom 1:3,4) to save all humanity, both Jew and Gentile (Rom 1:16,17). We see 4 key teachings regarding the gospel in this text:

1. God has the power to save
Salvation is the act of being delivered from a disaster or death or both. Human life is already under judgment because of sin (Ro 3:23) and one day we shall all face death. Only God who created life has the power to save, and He alone can be our savior.

2. God’s salvation is for everyone
God desires all people to be saved. How are we saved? By believing. ‘Believe’ and ‘faith’ are key words in Paul’s letter. “It is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (v16).  To believe is to put complete trust in Jesus whose death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead promises salvation . It is not mere agreement with a set of doctrines but trust in a person. Like the thief on the cross, to have faith is to “come and with the mouth of our soul open to seek God’s grace” (Calvin).

3. It is God’s righteousness revealed
As Paul declares, the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel first and last (v17). Firstly, salvation reveals God’s righteousness, and lastly, salvation makes the unrighteous righteous by his grace. It is not God’s righteousness working together with us offering up our record of righteousness. Salvation is from start to end, the work of God. Douglas Moo defines God's righteousness "as the act by which God brings people into right relationship with himself"

4. The righteous live by faith 
Faith believes and receives God’s righteousness that is displayed on the cross of Jesus and by his resurrection. By trusting in Jesus’ finished work, we are counted as righteous.

Rom 3:25, 26 “…because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” 

God does not magically transform us into morally perfect persons at the point of belief. It means God’s Supreme Court has found us ‘Not Guilty’ and we have been acquitted, as if we have not committed sin.

The first step towards faith is illustrated by Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) who both went to the temple to pray. It was the Tax Collector who cried out, “God have mercy on me, I am a sinner!” Jesus said the Tax Collector and not the self-righteous Pharisee who went home justified before God.

In conclusion, as a people who have found grace and forgiveness, Gospel faith rightly motivates joyful obedience. Because we have been accepted in Jesus, Gospel faith drives our service because we have experienced the love of God.
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DAVID TAN is Chairman and Elder of Hope EFC and the proprietor of an advertising agency.

HABAKKUK

SUNDAY SERVICE: 20 OCT 2013
SPEAKER: DR CHEN BOON TAI
TEXT: HABAKKUK

SUMMARY

The question of evil troubles many people. Why is there evil in our world? Why is there so much injustice? Why do the wicked get away and why do the righteous suffer? The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk was a man who was also troubled by similar questions. In Habakkuk 1:2-4, we read:

How long, LORD, must I call for help, 

   but you do not listen? 

Or cry out to you, “Violence!” 

   but you do not save? 

Why do you make me look at injustice? 

   Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? 

Destruction and violence are before me; 

   there is strife, and conflict abounds. 

Therefore the law is paralyzed, 

   and justice never prevails. 

The wicked hem in the righteous, 

   so that justice is perverted. 

The book of Habakkuk records Habakkuk’s cries and God’s answers.

During Habakkuk’s prophetic ministry, Judah was ruled by four kings who led the nation astray. Josiah, who was Judah’s last good king had instituted many reforms following a national revival. But his reforms did not last and the four kings who succeeded him namely Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, did evil. This eventually led to the fall of Judah and destruction of Jerusalem by the invading Babylonians.

What were the sins of Judah? 

•They practised impure worship by honouring both the one true God and the pagan idol Molech (Zeph 1:5) •They set up numerous altars to foreign gods (2 Ki 21:3,5)

•They adopted unacceptable pagan culture (Zeph 1:8)

•There was widespread violence and deceit (Zeph 1:9)

•There was indifference towards God (Zeph 1:12)

•There was no obedience or trust in God (Zeph 3:2-7)

How did God respond?

God said He would do an ‘amazing’ thing that would appear unthinkable. In vs6-11, we read that God would bring judgment upon Judah through military conquest by the Babylonians (or Chaldeans, who are from modern-day Iraq). But why would God raise up an evil empire known for their ruthlessness to do his work? 

Scripture seems to tell us that God does admit responsibility for bringing about good as well as bad. 

Isaiah 45:7 says:

I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the Lord, do all these things.

But as Habakkuk records it, God justifies his impending discipline by spelling out the sins of his people in Habakkuk 2:6-20 - all of which deserves judgment. While God acts, the righteous are called to remain faithful, for “…the righteous person will live by his faith” (Hab 2:4)

Sometimes God answers our prayers in surprising ways. We are troubled by injustice and cry to God to deliver. And God replies by using instruments of evil to fulfil his purposes and to discipline his people. This is hard to comprehend but the believer must live with such mystery. We ought to be struck by the way sin offends God and cry as Habakkuk did:

Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard the reports of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.

Even as God used the wicked Babylonians as a tool of judgment He will surely judge the evil that they do.

Indeed, history does record the destruction of Babylon - 60 years later. Meanwhile the righteous must trust in God's sovereignty and wait faithfully until God acts.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud

   and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails 

   and the fields produce no food, 

though there are no sheep in the pen 

   and no cattle in the stalls, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 

   I will be joyful in God my Savior. 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; 

   he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, 

   he enables me to tread on the heights.

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Dr Chen Boon Tai is an Elder of Hope EFC. He is also the Director of Project Development, IGB Corp/Mid Valley City Developments and Industry Professor of Management, Malaysia University of Science and Technology

EFCM JUBILEE SERVICE

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY…IT’S A RICH MAN’S WORLD

SUNDAY SERVICE: 13 OCT 2013 
SPEAKER: DATUK KENNY NG 
TEXT: JAMES 5:1-6

Money, money, money,
Must be funny, In the rich man's world
Money, money, money
Always sunny, In the rich man's world
Aha-ahaaa All the things I could do
If I had a little money, It's a rich man's world 

So goes the 1980s hit song by ABBA.

James does not say it is a sin to be rich. In fact, money per se, is neither a blessing nor a curse. Abraham was a wealthy man who walked with God and blessed the whole world.

But James is against unlawfully accumulated riches and advises the immoral rich to “weep and wail” in v1. 

James expresses three concerns.

1. How The Rich Got Their Riches (v4, 6a)
They got rich by not paying workmen their due wages. This includes not paying just wages to foreigners and migrant workers. Such failure is sin.

Deut. 24: 14 – 15 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. 

Other similar references include Lev. 19: 13; Jer. 22: 13.

The rich are also guilty of controlling the courts and subverting justice (v 6a). A number of scripture passages point to the importance of judges of integrity (ref: Deut. 17: 8 – 13; Ex. 18: 21; Lev. 19: 15; Deut. 19: 16 – 21; Isa. 33: 15; Micah 3: 11 & 7: 3). God is highly displeased at such unjust practices.

Amos 5: 12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

2. How The Rich Use Their Riches (v3 – 5) 
Instead of laying up treasures in heaven by using their riches for God’s glory (Mat. 6: 19), the rich hoard them for their own pleasure. However, a rich man who is a good steward of his wealth would help others to benefit from his riches.

1 Corinthians 4: 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

In the Old Testament, Boaz deliberately instructed his workers not to completely harvest his fields but to leave some grains behind for the needy. Another example was Joseph who kept faith as a responsible steward in Potiphar’s house.

Scripture speaks against greed and excess  but not accumulating wealth to provide for one’s family (1 Timothy. 5: 8).

3. What Will Happen to the Rich and their Riches (v1 – 4) 
Since riches will not last forever Scriptures such as 1 Timothy 6: 17 has this to say:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

The immoral rich will be judged, both in the present (their wealth decaying and their character eroding in v3) as well as in the future (v4 & 9). In Warren Wiersbe’s words, “Luxury has a way of ruining character.”

Conclusion
God’s church must be thankful for the blessing of material wealth, gifts, and opportunities for success. In light of James’ warning against greed and indulgence, we should guard against covetousness (Exodus 20:17) and seek to be more generous with what God has entrusted us. Thanks be to God who is our Jehovah Jireh. 

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DATUK KENNY NG is the Senior Partner in Lee Swee Seng & Co and an elder of Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church

ARE WE SUCKING UP TO THE RICH?

SUNDAY SERVICE:  6 OCT 2013 
SPEAKER: DATUK KENNY NG 
TEXT: JAMES 2:1-13

A Summary:

All people have a natural prejudice against another person simply because of his origin, race, ethnicity, nationality, colour, creed, religion or gender. It is also not uncommon for us to discriminate based on class and socio-economic considerations. Invariably we tend to suck up to the rich and powerful but despise the poor and the marginalised!

James warns in 2:1 that we are not to show ‘favouritism.’ What does he mean? He is certainly not saying that it is wrong to make appropriate distinctions (i.e, Philippians 2: 3 – 4) or to defer to those in authority (1 Timothy 5: 17 and Romans 13: 1 – 7). Such distinctions are a necessary part of life.

What James is writing against is discrimination that is based on shallow externals for self-serving ends. To illustrate his point, James gives the example of the way a rich man may be welcomed to the best seat in church while a poor man is overlooked or despised. James says this attitude is opposed to our professed faith in Jesus our Lord (v1). Indeed in v9 James even says such behavior of ‘favouritism’ is a sin.

James goes on to list 7 reasons why showing favouritism or favouring the rich while despising the poor does not make sense.

• It makes us improper judges of people (v 4).
• It dishonours those whom God honours (v 5, 6).
• It is often the rich who exploit the poor (v 6).
• It is often the rich who blaspheme the Jesus’ name (v 7).
• It goes against the royal law to love our neighbor as ourselves (v 8 - 11).
• It reveals a faith that is in error and inconsistent with God’s law (v 8 – 11).
• It overlooks the fact that just as we need mercy, we too need to show mercy (v 12 - 13).

In conclusion we were challenged to check ourselves more closely:

Are we showing kindness to a person who is not of the same race? Are we more kind to the young and the good-looking and reject those who aren’t? Do we favour the rich over the poor? Do we give the “cold shoulder” to “foreigners”? The words of Jesus in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:40 are timely.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

May God forgive us for self-serving partiality based on externals. And may God help us to honour him by honouring all people equally according to the royal law of love.

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DATUK KENNY NG is the Senior Partner in Lee Swee Seng & Co and an elder of Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church

Sir, we want to see Jesus.

SUNDAY SERVICE 29 SEPT 2013
SPEAKER: AAMIR SHAHZAD
TEXT: JOHN 12:20-25

It is Palm Sunday, after Jesus has entered Jerusalem to a welcoming crowd waving palm branches. John’s Gospel reports:

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 

Aamir Shahzad who hails from Pakistan introduced himself and his ministry to provide a context for the morning’s message. In a Muslim country with a population of some 180 million of which only 2% is Christian, the challenge of pointing people to Jesus is real.

The minority Christian population occupies the bottom rung of society, largely involved in menial jobs. A dominant Islamic culture, blasphemy laws that are known to victimize the innocent (Aamir shared his own family experiences), and frequent outbreaks of violence have led the Church to adopt a ‘ghetto mentality’ (a feeling of alienation and powerlessness; withdrawal from the mainstream) leading to less and less interaction with the Muslim majority.

In addition, the recent bombing of All Saints’ Church in Peshawar that killed dozens has widened division and deepened fears.

What is the one thing that can be done to show Jesus then?

“The only way is to live like Jesus,” Aamir said.

Christians set themselves apart when they display a transformed worldview, live as Jesus did, show compassion, act justly and are loving towards their neighbor.

Referring to the Peshawar bombing, some Christians resorted to violence which was not right as it did not reflect Jesus. In light of this, Aamir encouraged the church to teach and train people how to live out a transformed worldview.

Aamir spoke of a Christian security guard who once offered to help an old man with physiotherapy massage. Eventually even Muslims came to him for his expertise and he would wash their feet, asking permission to pray before he began.

Going back to the text, Aamir commented on Jesus’ reply to the Greeks.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 

Jesus’ words appear cryptic, but it is because he does not want to encourage curiosity seekers. What is more important is his example of loving sacrifice.

Aamir highlighted 2 ministries in Pakistan that sought to show compassion: a drug rehabilitation programme where 80% of its clients are Muslim, and a literacy programme that provides schooling to mainly Hindu children.

In these ways Christians show Jesus to the world. They demonstrate that they have died to self; they do not follow the culture of the world but are living sacrificially.

May the Lord encourage us to do likewise.

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Aamir Shahzad is a qualified drugs worker and experienced project manager based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He manages the Samaritan Strategy for AsiaCMS which works with local churches to be mission focused and help launch local community initiatives.

The Role of Christians in National Reconciliation

SUNDAY SERVICE 22 SEPT 2013
SPEAKER: DATUK DR DENISON JAYASOORIA
TEXT: 2 COR 5:16-21

Malaysia celebrated the 50th Malaysia Day recently amid controversy and anxiety over the country’s future. Is there a role for the church to play in nation building towards national reconciliation?

In a message that Dr Denison had previously shared at DUMC (see YouTube below), several points were presented anew to us at Hope EFC.


Denison drew attention to his text for the day and looked at the larger implication of Paul’s words for answers.

"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors..."

As Denison explained, the “in Christ” experience of believers includes the ministry of reconciliation. This work is the expression of new life/new creation, the outflow of spirituality and salvation. Just as we have been reconciled to God, we are now commanded to extend reconciliation within the community we live in: we have been reconciled to be reconcilers.

Animosity and division among people - such as Malaysian society – arise as a result of many reasons. Hostility towards people of different race and religion may come out of ignorance and prejudice. How do we overcome this state of affairs? When a person has peace with God within himself, he will extend peace to others.

Jacob and Esau –Jacob’s deceit drove the two brothers apart. An encounter with God brings peace to a person and enables Jacob to make peace with his brother.
Zaccheus – Luke 19 records how the tax collector’s conversion led him to return money that he had gained through cheating. An encounter with Jesus leads to restitution as a way forward towards reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela – After 27 years in jail, Mandela learnt to surrender fear and anger to serve his own community and work towards national reconciliation.

An outstanding local example of the ministry of reconciliation is found in the work of William Shellabear. Shellabear came back to Malaysia and Singapore where he had served as an army captain and became a missionary. He mastered the Malay language, wrote books in Malay including Sejarah Melayu, a dictionary of the Malay language as well as a guide to Malay grammar. (Note: Shellabear was also the founder of MPH Bookstore in the 1890s)

According to Shellabear’s biography by Robert Hunt, the former army captain turned Methodist missionary left an exemplary legacy for the Malaysian church because of a genuine love for the people, motivated by religious conviction and not exploitation or fear.

Denison reflected on the Malaysian church’s entire focus on the Chinese and Indian population during pre- and post-war Malaya and asked: would not ethnic relationships have been better today if God’s people did not neglect the equally suffering Malay community then? 

What can the church do to foster reconciliation today? 

1. Although our personal identity may be multi-faceted, acknowledge that we are Malaysians first.
2. Appreciate diversity and avoid feelings of ethnic superiority. Learn language, food habits, and cultural practices of our neighbours.
3. Avoid being judgmental and do not respond out of prejudice and limited information.
4. Work to resolve ethnic conflict through relational synergy and partnership.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 
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DATUK DR DENISON JAYASOORIA is the Principle Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), National University of Malaysia (UKM) and Secretary-General of PROHAM (Society for the Promotion of Human Rights). He maintains a blog at denisonbooks.blogspot

The Gospel: Sign, Light, Sight

SUNDAY SERVICE 15 SEPT 2013
SPEAKER: DR SUNNY TAN
TEXT: John 9

A summary

The blind man’s encounter with Jesus is very much an analogy of a Gospel journey that leads a person from information to salvation .

Sign
John’s Gospel referred to Jesus’ deeds and miracles as a sign.

John 20:30,31 Now Jesus did many other signs...but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 2:11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 

People are always in need of directions, a signpost. A sign is simply a pointer - it could be an event or an indicator of something invisible that may be good or bad. It is not the sign we admire but the thing it points to. So Jesus’ miracles, life, death and resurrection were called a sign of Jesus’ divinity, pointing us to the invisible God.

Light 
Humans do not generate light from within. Our eyes merely receive light, and without light which comes from outside of us, we can’t see.

If Jesus is the 'Light of the World’ it is not that the world is in darkness but that humans also lack the capacity to see.

Sin blinds us to our need for God. In order to see, we need Jesus to bring light to our true human condition, to see what God wants us to see. It is not enough to come to Jesus as the blind man learned; Jesus needs to touch us so our ability to see God is first ’healed.’

Sight
The religious teachers could not see what the blind man saw, and neither could they understand what the healing pointed to.

As in the blind man now healed, our sight too must be enhanced by knowledge to recognise or understand what to see. It is usually the invisible things, the spiritual things that are lost and not missed because we cannot see them.

Sunny quoted Eugene Peterson who explained how Jesus must first be the Way that points to Truth. Life is the consequence of committing to the truth.

As believers, our community ought to be a signpost - or the Gospel - that points to Jesus. But above all, each one of us is always in need of a personal encounter with Jesus. Only then will we begin to see what He wants us to see, in order to possess the life He desires us to live to the glory of His name.

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Rev Dr Sunny Tan is the Academic Dean of Malaysia Baptist Seminary. Both he and his wife Dr Rosalind Lim live in Penang.

ETERNITY - THE WORLD THAT IS TO COME

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 8

SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE  8 SEPTEMBER 2013

A Reflection:

Tim Keller began his presentation by pointing out how the Biblical narrative that began in the Garden of Eden ends up in heaven in a city, the New Jerusalem.

By referring to Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21& 22, we get an overview of a heaven few believers think about or imagine. It certainly provokes reflection as many Christians refer vaguely to heaven as a “better place” or a place where the saved are dressed in white gowns, singing worship songs without end!

But Keller provides an enticing suggestion that this popular picture may not say everything about how grand eternal life promises to be. According to passages in Scripture, the fact that heaven is a city suggests there’s more to eternal life than idle bliss.

A new quality of life, blessed by the beauty of art, music, architecture, labour, creative endeavours, etc – now all purged and purified to glorify God surround believers before His presence.

There will be a renewed culture, a restored shalom, in the intimate presence of the Lord whom we love and worship. There are no tears, no pain or suffering; there is justice, and a new community. In this city where the shekinah glory of God (the visible manifestation of the divine presence) shines, there is light and beauty forevermore while we bask in the joy of his presence!

Isaiah 60:19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 

C.S Lewis' words from The Last Battle anticipates a story that goes on and on, where each new page we turn is better than the last one:

“This is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But, for them, it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world ... had only been the cover, and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on Earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” 

But more importantly, how does our assurance of eternity affect our present life? We live in the moment, imperfect as it is, but we look forward to eternity.

For instance, how does our understanding of heaven as an eternal city of holy activity impact our witness and the work we do?

Certainly, gospel shaped believers must now live in a community that gives non-believers a foretaste of heaven. In our home, our workplace, in church, etc, the glory of life lived in the presence of God and where Jesus rules must be evident.

May this vision of eternity drive us and our community to meaningful action for God's glory!

JUSTICE: A PEOPLE FOR OTHERS

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 7



SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE 1 SEPTEMBER 2013

A REFLECTION

“This is not fair!”

 What’s fair? Is it the same as what’s just?

A person is said to be decent and ‘fair’ or play ‘fair’ when he doesn't cheat, follows the rules, shows equal treatment for all concerned. Surely a God who does not see the difference between right and wrong cannot be worthy of our trust.

Without going into details, it would be ‘fair’ to say that the God of the Bible is more often referred as being just, and not fair. So we are told He is just and holy. He is the righteous judge of all humanity. Yet we are told that his wrath has fallen on his own Son Jesus, so that humanity’s sin may not be held against them. We are told God has done this out of love for us, extending grace and mercy to undeserving sinners, which is not necessarily ‘fair’.

 As King David observed: “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.” (Ps 103:10)

This withholding of judgment is conditional upon believers taking hold of Jesus who took our place on the cross. Which is the backdrop to Tim Keller’s simple declaration that, "Justice is love in action. It is bringing shalom.”

In Luke 7:41-47, a woman who is likely Mary Magdalene washes Jesus’ feet with tears and perfume to the surprise of Simon and other more ‘upright’ visitors. Jesus responds to his host’s displeasure by telling a parable.

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

For the Christian, God’s character is the basis for true justice. But our attitude and acts of justice are also informed by God’s grace and mercy. As forgiven sinners who have tasted the immeasurable love of God, we now lovingly work to bring grace to those who have suffered injustice, and contribute to reform social structures that are unjust.

"No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God." Micah 6:8

Calling all LEGO lovers!

Do you have a LEGO lover in your home? 

If you do, come and join us, and bring your LEGO lovers/fanatics/maniacs to our first LEGO CLUB get-together for a time of playing and learning together. Kids will get to work together and cooperate to build their own LEGO creations. Then they will get a chance to present their piece and talk about what they have built!

We will also have other fun LEGO games and activities too. Open to all homeschooling kids aged 5-12 yrs. This is purely a hands-on play session, so no pencil or paper is required. 

Date/Time : 16 Sept 2013, 2.30pm - 4.00pm 

Venue : HOPE EFC (near WangsaWalk) 

No.6-1, Jalan Wangsa Delima 10, 

Wangsa Link, 53300 Setapak 

What to bring : 
1. Your own bucket of LEGO bricks with a good assortment of bricks, wheels and axles.
2. A mat - to lay your LEGO bricks on.

And while we play and fellowship, do check out our library of homeschooling and parenting resources (some of our books are in the picture below) you can borrow!

Note: The inaugural LEGO CLUB is another initiative of Hope EFC to support families who are homeschooling their own children. For more information, please call Chee Keong at 0126354311

WORK: CULTIVATING THE GARDEN

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 6 


SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE 25  AUGUST 2013 

Tim Keller continues to spell out how the Gospel affects our lifestyle and church community.  This time, it is about Work. As a recap, he has been saying (in slightly different ways in each session) how the Gospel - if internalized in the power of the Holy Spirit – will shape a believer, and then shape the place where we work and how we work.

Here are some reflections on this episode of Keller’s presentation.

1.  Work is an important aspect of human life. Work is also a significant part of God’s plan to advance his kingdom – partly because we spend so much of our time working, and partly because legitimate work in whatever form contributes to human flourishing. Human flourishing means, the positive growth and enrichment of human life and society. So the Gospel changes our conception of work. In the larger picture, it may mean we should deliberately work in a place that contributes to human flourishing and not undermine it  - ie, cigarette manufacturing, etc

2. Work is an expression of God’s character. In Genesis 1, he is revealed as a maker and creator. Adam whom we are told was created in God’s image was placed in a garden to work and care for the environment. Also the sustaining of the universe and the active sanctification of believers can be said to be God’s work as well. 

3.    The Gospel changes our motivation for work. Because work is so important to human life, it is not surprising that we consciously or unconsciously look to work to define our identity. When this happens, work achievement becomes an idol, and its rewards are more important than everything else. But now we see work differently, for we work to please God. The by-product of work well done may include a sense of pleasure and fulfillment, material rewards, or public acclaim, but they must not be what we live for primarily. 

4. Real life workplaces have serious challenges. Everyone agrees that the Gospel changes the ethics of work. But it is in the real life world that we all find challenges and compromises. Most people agree that some compromises are inevitable, but others say that if we constantly rationalize it this way, then how are we going to shape community and society effectively? If we truly stand up for more ethical practices, it is likely believers will always be on the losing end. 

5.    Naaman’s example. Naaman's words to Elisha in 2 Kings 5:18 is significant. By carrying soil from Israel Naaman displayed a visible difference in his service to a pagan Syrian King. But regarding his bowing in a pagan temple, Naaman seemed aware his action may be deemed a compromise, and he openly asked for forgiveness: 

^“But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”

This is highly relevant and speaks to our day-to-day circumstances as well. If there is a lesson, it is this – we should not be quick to judge another brother or sister who is placed in a work situation that appears to compromise one’s faith and ethics.

6. Giving our best at work. Other aspects of ethics require personal reflection – being honest, being punctual, making expense claims, putting in genuine work and not slacking, etc. These are real issues where we need most to prove our Gospel-shaped identity. 

Finally, treasures on earth vs treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19,20 say: 

 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Work to accumulate treasures on earth alone must be reviewed in light of the Gospel. While it is not wrong to enjoy the material rewards of work, a Gospel-shaped believer must think about what he intends to do with all he gains materially/financially. This is an area that is rarely thought through ahead of work. 

May God help us to work for human flourishing and to do it in ways that please and glorify Him.

Message: The Story of Jonah

SUNDAY SERVICE 18 AUGUST 2013

SPEAKER: TAN CHING MENG 
MESSAGE: The Story of Jonah 
TEXT: Jonah 1-4 


Jonah is commanded by God to announce impending judgment upon Nineveh the capital of the Assyrian Empire, unless the city repents. However Jonah resists God and finds a boat to take him to Tarshish. A storm breaks out, Jonah is thrown into the sea and he is swallowed by a big fish. As the story goes, the fish spits Jonah out on the beach and he makes his way to Nineveh where God’s message is proclaimed, the city repents, and destruction is averted.

Jonah’s story has a number of lessons for us: 

1. Our God is sovereign and he does as he pleases. As Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in heaven; and he does whatever he pleases.” He also calls whom he pleases to fulfil his purposes.This means that nothing thwarts God’s plans. Even Jonah’s disobedience does not change God’s purposes. Just as God pursues Jonah, we need to learn not to run away from God for there is no escaping God’s presence anyway.

2. Our God is compassionate. He has a missionary heart and wants nations to be saved. We need to show compassion as well to those who are lost who may not even have the first chance to hear about Jesus. Here, God gave the city a second chance to repent. In the same way God also gave Jonah a second chance. Jonah 3:1 – “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time” In spite of his failure and subsequent bad attitude, again God showed Jonah kindness and did not give up on him. God’s kindness should lead us back to him and not turn us away even when we are faced with difficulties and failure.

3. Many people may not believe in the God of the Bible. But they too have a conscience and can still respond to the display of God’s power and grace. The sailors were unbelievers, but in their hour of distress, they ‘feared God’ and responded more righteously than Jonah. We must remember that God often works through unbelievers and reveals himself to them as well.

 4. God’s concern for the lost in every nation should spur us to examine our own prejudices. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because he dismissed the Assyrians as unworthy and too wicked to be saved. In our day, Christians sometimes hold prejudiced views against those who are not of their own ethnic background or religious faith. The story of God’s compassion must lead us to review our own attitudes to the different races and foreigners in our country.

May God instruct us to be obedient to his call.

Tan Ching Meng is an Elder of Hope EFC, KL, and he works for MSL Properties.

Wealth & Lifestyle Seminar 24 Aug 2013

We all have questions about money, wealth, and poverty. Jason Fong will explore key Bible passages to give us a better perspective about this critical issue. Those who have attended past seminars led by Jason will know that his presentations will appeal to all ages. All are welcome!

To confirm attendance, please give your name and the number in your party to Siew Heng at 0122807568 or Charis at 0107965040. For map to Hope EFC, go to Hope EFC location map

Click on image to enlarge.