The Church and I (Eph 1)

Sermon snippet by Rev Andrew Peh




For the next few weeks we will be doing a pulpit series known as “The Church and I”. It is
 our hope that we will come to know more deeply what it means to be in the Church (whether it is the Local Church the One Holy Apostolic Church).


10 ways to kill the church


1.      Passivity:
Here am I Lord, send him/her.



2.      Lethargy:
Church is spectator sport, too tired to bother.



3.      Insensitivity:
Brutally frank when comments are not solicited.



4.      Apathy:
S.B.C. “simply bochap”. Growing insensitivity to the needs of others, no compassion and feelings for each other.



5.      Negativity:
Meditate on how wonderful the church would be if it weren’t for the pastor. Eager to tear apart and destroy.



6.      Promiscuity:
Not just the physical but also the spiritual where we are easily distracted in the midst of worship, to pay attention to our ‘idols’. 



7.      Superficiality:
not willing to be vulnerable. Allow casual small talk to take the place of genuine sharing and discipleship.



8.      Mediocrity:
Just content with mediocrity and console ourselves that mediocre offering can be offered to the Lord.



9.      Individuality:
It’s all about me, wanting all that happens in church to pander around ourselves. “Blessings all mine” mentality. Go to church for what you can get out
of it.



10.  Bad
Theology: Insidious and causes truth-decay in the church.



Churches in Singapore have grown to become middle class. Many believers compartmentalize
their lives into 3 parts: worship, work and play, but that is not all, we often mess up the order as well. We worship our work, play at our worship and work at
our play. The established church is far more dangerous to the church than any heresy or schism.  


Many of our identities are tied in with our possessions, the power we exercise over certain groups of people but for Paul, what makes for the core of his identity is his connection with Jesus Christ. 

Reflection questions:


How connected are you with Jesus Christ?

How does your rootedness in Christ define your behaviour?



Rev 2:4 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”