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.

WITNESS: THE ALTERNATE CITY

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 5 

SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE 11 AUGUST 2013

Commentary

In the last 4 video messages, we heard Tim Keller explain how the gospel ought to undergird God’s church as well as define its community and ministry. In this episode he explains how a gospel-shaped community ought to live between two ages – the present age and the one to come. Because of this the church has the responsibility to be like a ‘city on the hill’ so that the glory of Jesus’ kingship is seen.

 “You are the light of the world. 
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:19

How is God’s church like the city on the hill?

An alternate city is gospel-speaking.

Many people admitted this is where it gets difficult. Many of our friends and colleagues are immediately turned off at the first mention of church or Christianity. Even an innocent remark about church or one’s faith makes people defensive.

The question is, how do we value other people as persons and avoid seeing them as fish to be caught? How can we be gospel-speaking then? Sometimes our actions will speak louder than words, but at other times we must qualify our actions with words about our faith in Jesus without an air of superiority.

An alternate city is neighbor-loving.

The best way Jesus’ followers may be seen as a ‘city on the hill’ is in the way they love their neighbours. Our compassion towards one another within the church must be just as visible in acts of love and kindness towards others – the disadvantaged, the poor, the sick, the stranger, people of different races.

An alternate city is community-transformed.

The values of God’s church must be radically different from that of the world at large. We heard how in some cases, exercising radical ethics and obedience to Jesus may lead to losing one’s job. How does a Christian executive or CEO execute unpopular decisions like terminating the employment of staff that have families to feed? What will happen to our own family when we stand up for God’s Kingdom values?

One of the most striking things that Keller emphasized came from the reading of John 17:17,18.

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 
As you sent me into the world, 

so I have sent them into the world." 

We were reminded that when Jesus sent out his disciples into the world to be witnesses, he did not pray that God equip them with eloquence or special talents. Instead Jesus prayed that his disciples be sanctified to display holy lives. Then in their holiness they become witness to the truth and testimony of what life is like under the kingship of Jesus. A consistent lifestyle supports the credibility of our message.

As a church that is committed to participating and contributing positively to our community, we pray that God grant us grace and mercy to live consistently for his name's sake.

COMMUNITY: THE CONTEXT FOR CHANGE

VIDEO MESSAGE: GOSPEL IN LIFE 4 

SPEAKER: TIM KELLER 
SUNDAY SERVICE 21 JULY 2013


God’s purpose in history is to forge a new community that will glorify his name. This new community is referenced in 1 Peter 2:19

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

HOLY NATION – To be holy means to be set apart, distinct, different. The world sees what it means to live under the kingship of Jesus. And by exhibiting different values and a distinct way of life we point others to Jesus.

ROYAL PRIESTHOOD – Priests do not so much bring God to the people. As mediators, priests bring people to God. This role implies being deeply involved in people’s life in order that some may be led to Jesus.

God’s people are therefore different from the world, but for the world’s sake.  They are also called to be deeply involved in the lives of the people living in the world.

Why is community so important?

You cannot know God apart from community. 

A relationship with God always leads to a closer  relationship with God’s community, a new ‘humanity.’  If we are present each Sunday but are not engaged, we are not in community at all, but merely being present in a crowd.

You cannot change deeply apart from community.

All our relationships will be changed when the Gospel touches us deeply. It is possible to have a great spiritual experience and yet remain unchanged because we are not in community with God’s people.

Passages such as Romans 12:9-21 tell us how commitment to community will lead us to exhibit the following Gospel values. This and the “one another/each other” verses (eg, Eph 4:2) in the Bible  show us Gospel-shaped people form deep community, and how only in community will the Gospel be allowed to shape us.

You cannot win the world apart from community.

We often think the community’s work is to declare the message of the Gospel. Yet, the community is in reality a declaration of the Gospel as well. 

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22

Previously as unbelievers, a person’s relationship to things and other people is self-centred and for personal interest. A person who is shaped by the Gospel now relates to things and others for their own sake. For example, money, sex, power are no longer sought as ends in themselves but as life-giving things.  

May God help us grow in faith and in community to the glory of His Name!