The Church & I: NEW EMPOWERMENT (Eph 6:10-18)

Snippet of Sermon by Rev Andrew Peh


Religious plurality in our day and age requires us to be sensitive in the use of military analogies and pictures. Some in the Christian circles think that hymns like UMH 513 "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" [original 12 verses for this hymn], UMH 717 " The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the like should be excised because of their military metaphors and violent overtones. They bring to mind the Crusades of the Dark Ages which had inflicted a lasting divide between Christians and Muslims. They appear to be in contra-distinction to the message from the One who came as the Prince of Peace.  Canon Dr David Kennedy from Durham University of Durham University expressed his views that these hymns sound too triumphalistic while the sense of the cost is missing: the power of Jesus Christ crucified.

In Eph 6 Paul does not delight in violence or agression but he was merely using the common image of a soldier, a disciplined soldier, to describe how believers should live in the world. There are 3 ways to look at this part of Eph 6: that it is

1. Essentially realistic: It recognizes that there is a fight to be fought and that this victory is constantly being worked out. This fight is not against men but also against spiritual enemies. Realistic? How real is this fight? It is one thing to be playing "Command and Conquer" game on the computer, but quite a different think to hold a real rifle and engage in warfare.

2. Essentially pastoral: Drawing to the conclusion of his letter, Paul wanted to remind the believers to remain a community fueled by love. Very often the Christian community interprets the fight in individualistic terms. Yes, we are all individuals combatting evil, yet there is an even more dimension i.e. to think of the fight in corporate terms. No one should operate like a solo combat figure, like Rambo. Rather, we are to see ourselves, each as a part of a larger battalion. If you were to read the passage in its original language, the plural is used here. Paul presents a challenge to the Body of Christ devoted to communal Christian living. What kind of community should they be? What is communal living supposed to look like?

Some take 3 years to go through the book of Ephesians, we are going through it rather speedily in comparison. Paul here shared the radical vision of a new community that is to stand out from the rest of the world: New Identity, humanity, morality, community, empowerment.

3, Essentially devotional: "Put on the whole armor", it is God's armour not ours. In the hymn Charles Wesley used the word, "Panoply of God" (panoply referring to a full suit of armor or ceremonial attire forming a protective covering) specifically to the armor comprising: 

Descriptions of the Nature of God

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation and the Word of God. Pastor Andrew hastened to add that he is hesitant to label the various pieces. They are not to be external to us, i.e. we can choose and take our pick, which pieces to put on or take off.

Instead, Paul's intention appears to be that we see them as a whole: all descriptions of the nature of God. It's to be worn as a whole. That's why it's untenable to desire that strength while neglecting God's Word.  It's not about gifts and graces of our own but that our individual lives be aligned with that of God. The word, 'stand' is repeated 4 -5 times in this chapter for a purpose. Paul was urging them to stay and stand firm on their feet, to persevere in worship and continual prayer together which is also echoed in Heb 10:25.  

In Paul's last words to this Church, he wrote with urgency and sobriety that the world is a dangerous place. He listed the enemy: rulers, authorities, cosmic forces and spiritual forces of evil; those that are seen as well as the unseen. Evil also exists in the organizational structure. Danger also lurks even in the seemingly safe places e.g. in our homes and also in the church.

How is the church to respond, 2 usual responses :
1. Flight
2. Fight

But there is yet a 3rd response i.e. to stand firm immovable, staying put in the battle empowered by the Spirit of God. Empowerment is not some magical power. For Paul, the key to standing one's ground in this fight is a continual deepening relationship with God where one stays rooted in the Lord. As long as we are rooted, connected to the source of power, we will be empowered to live the life God has in mind, acting out of who we are with Christ. GK Chesterton said, "Brave men are vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle. But these modern cowards are all crustaceans; their hardness is all on the cover and their softness is inside. But the softness is there; everything in this twilight temple is soft."
Reflection question: What type of Christian are you? The Crustacean or Veterbrate Christian?
Having that power is not the goal. The goal is to have that power in order to stand our ground in the day of battle. This power is Christ in us the Hope of glory.

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.”

The Church and I: One New Humanity (Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Snippet of Sermon by Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan

Our text today makes three primary points:

1. Divisions are real (vv.11-12)

The Jewish practice of circumcision and their observance of many ordinances and religious regulations created a sense of superiority among the Jews and contributed to their sense of disdain for the Gentiles. At the same time, these practices and attitudes created a strong anti-Jewish backlash among the Gentiles. One of most visible expressions of this distinction and hostility between Jews and Gentiles was found in the temple. There, a wall divided the inner court sanctuary -- which was open only to Jews - from the outer court, which was also open to Gentiles. Insiders and outsiders.

This inscription contains the ominous words, "Whoever is captured will have himself to blame for his subsequent death."

Christian community is an unnatural unity, unlike a lifestyle enclave in which a shared interest brings people together [e.g. fishing, golf].  The New Testament Church was anything but a homogeneous group.  It was made up of Jews and Gentiles, young and old, slaves and slave owners, male and female.  It had a host of characters from ex prostitutes, ex priests and ex practitioners of magic to fishermen, zealots (the terrorists of the first century) and tax collectors, collaborators with the Roman establishment!

There was a far greater ethnic, economic, political and social diversity than we have in Singapore today.  Their resultant behavior caused the Romans to call them “The Third Race.” [1] Their life gave credibility to their faith and the truth of their message (I John 4.20).  The Church as community also provides a living statement of God’s truth to the world.

Animosity and divisions can arise when someone seeks to manipulate people and/or events for their own ends. It may be that there is pride in rule-keeping and those who do not keep the same rules are slighted/snubbed. It may be that a pet interpretation of doctrine is emphasized and used as a litmus test for belonging to the “in” group. In Singapore, a Church filed injunction against bible college board over doctrinal difference in 2008, only resolved in 2011. Or, it could be that someone wants to wrest leadership from the pastor or elders and rallies a group of people around himself to accomplish a coup d'état. Sadly, difference of opinion regarding music and worship style is also a frequent cause of division in the church.

Reflection Question: Today are we recognized as being a third race? People who are the living proof of God’s truth in the world?

2. Christ is our peace (vv.13-16)

In spite of this long history of division between Jews and Gentiles, Paul writes that Christ "is our peace" (v.14). Paul uses a number of phrases and images in verses 13-16 to describe the broad scope of Christ's reconciling work. In short, Paul says that Christ has eliminated the root causes of the hostile division between Jews and Gentiles. Both groups are reconciled to God through the cross.

Far and near. First, Paul says that those who once were far off -- the Gentiles -- "have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (v.13). In using this image of far and near, Paul cleverly borrows from the prophet Isaiah who once distinguished the Jewish exiles who were far off in Babylon from those who were left behind in a decimated homeland (Isa. 57:19[2]). And just as God had once restored the Jewish exiles, now, in Christ, God would do the same thing for the Gentiles.

Jews and Gentiles focused on their differences. But, as Paul infers, both groups had this in common: each had known the experience of being estranged from God. The sacrificial life and death of Christ would benefit all who would believe -- both Jew and Gentile.

Dividing wall. Second, Paul says that Christ has broken down the dividing wall that represented the hostility between Jews and Gentiles (v.14). I noted earlier that this dividing wall in the temple kept Gentiles from having access to the inner court of the temple where they could worship God. Instead, they were banished to the outer court where they had to contend with the noise and distraction of the merchants and moneychangers. The wall was a constant reminder that the Gentiles were second class at best. Paul says that Christ broke down the dividing wall in order to make both groups one and offer both groups equal access to God.

Abolish the law. Third, Paul says that Christ "has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances" (v.15). At first blush, this statement seems to be at odds with the comment of Jesus when he said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17).

Christ has dismantled, disarmed, put to death and made a public spectacle of those things we humans construct to make us feel special and superior -- things that cut us off from God and from one another. And in their place, God has reconstructed one new humanity in place of the two (v.15) and has reconciled both groups to God in one body (v.16).

Christ is our peace. If only Christians will honor God by life style within the community of faith.  As Paul said to the Church at Corinth, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts to be known and read by all.”  (II Cor. 3.2).  Jesus lived, died and was raised from the dead to create the community of faith! 

3. The church is God's new dwelling place (vv.17-22)

This is the image that Paul uses here: Christ demolishes the old order so that he can build the new. In this "one new humanity in Christ" -- which we call the church -- Christ is reconciling former enemies and constructing a new temple where God can dwell.

The old temple, because of its dividing wall, had been a painful symbol of alienation and separation between Jews and Gentiles. But this new temple will be the symbol of reconciliation and unity.

Illustration: A woman recently remarried after being widowed for several years. As is often the case, both she and the widower that she married decided that they would each sell their old houses and buy a new house together. That way they could grow into their new home together rather than one needing to make all the adjustments of coming onto the other's "turf."

New Testament scholar Francis Beare makes a similar observation about the way in which Christ formed "one new humanity" from the Gentiles and Jews. Beare writes that it was "not by the victory of one part over another, (not) by the conversion of the Gentile world to Judaism, but by the harmonious union of the warring elements into something altogether new. . . The Gentiles, who were 'alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, are not beaten into submission to the religion of Israel, but are given an equal part in the making of the new (humanity)."

Paul makes several observations about the nature of this one new humanity -- the church:

Both groups will have equal access to God. We hear a lot about access today. Paul says that in Christ, both groups -- former enemies -- now have equal access to God. This access is based, not on the law, not on ancestry, not on circumcision, but on the cross of Christ. Based on God's initiative and on God's grace and mercy.

Both groups will have full rights of citizenship. One of the issues in last election has to do with immigration -- specifically, what rights to afford to immigrants, the permanent residents. Many Singaporeans want the demarcation to be clear that PR’s do not have the same rights and privileges as do citizens.

Paul says that both groups -- Gentiles and Jews -- are full citizens and members of God's household. This one new humanity in Christ is to offer space for all to meet and to experience God's presence and welcome.  God will only dwell where God's people are living out this one new humanity. The church is to be living proof of God's mighty power to reconcile. When we are not willing to live in reconciled relationships, we should not expect God to be present in our midst.

Application

1. Distinctions have their place but are not to be worshiped. Ethnic and national and political and denominational identities will always be a part of who we are. These distinctions bring with them rich traditions and customs and tastes -- all of which are to be celebrated as gifts from God.

Any distinctions in the human family are not an appropriate basis for deciding who is part of the body of Christ -- or for determining one's status, or for assigning human worth, or for apportioning power, or for making judgments about good and evil. God takes the initiative to extend grace and to offer a place in God's family for all who will respond to Christ with a faith that expresses itself in a willingness to follow.

2. We aren't ultimately responsible to fix the broken world in which we live. That's a relief. Paul says that God is already gathering up or reconciling "all things in (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth" (Eph. 1:10) and that Christ has already broken down the dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14). Some of you may be thinking, well, if God has already done the work of reconciliation -- if Christ has broken down the dividing wall -- why is there still so much division in the world and even in the church? And if Christ has already done the work of reconciliation, then what is our role? What is left for us?

Our job is three-fold:

1. Our role is to not rebuild barriers. While Christ has broken down the dividing wall, we humans continue to construct barriers to make us feel superior to others: education levels, economic status, ethnicity, Christians by birth vs Christians by confession and choice. When we make these distinctions the basis for excluding some, or for showing favoritism, we are guilty of rebuilding the barriers which Christ dismantled. The same is true when we react to differences of opinion by taking sides and gossiping, the split will widen, more harm will be done to the church members, and our message to the world will be further compromised.

While we are not to rebuild barriers, neither are we to tear down the temple that God is building. The text from 1 Corinthians 3:17 has strong words in this regard.

Reflection Question: How would you see yourself? Are you part of the demolition team or the construction team in God’s house? Why?

2. Our role is to tell the truth about the power of Christ's reconciling work. Many other Jewish Christians in the first century were not particularly interested in telling the truth about the radical nature of God's reconciling work in Christ. They were not particularly interest in having the Gentiles share equal access to God. And so they insisted that Gentiles jump through all kinds of hoops:  be circumcised and observe all manner of rules and regulations. Essentially, they insisted that Gentiles become Jews if they wished to be part of God's family.

Paul refused to fall into this deception. He told the truth about the extraordinary thing that God had done in Christ. The truth is: no more walls; no more exclusive access; no more second class folks. The truth is one new humanity.  

Reflection Question: What sort of deception do we perpetuate in our midst that would birth “insider vs outsider” groupings?

3. Our role is to follow Christ in the way of peace.

This is our role: not rebuilding walls; not destroying God's temple; but instead, telling the truth about the amazing scope of Christ's reconciling work and following Christ in the way of peace.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together (London: SCM Press, 1970), p. 15)  mentions at least three tools for reconciliation that we can employ in church: 

(1) Confession,

(2) Forgiveness and

(3) Reproof. 

Each is important for building true community (see esp. Acts 4.42ff; II Tim. 3.16).

---

[1] The Third Race is an actual description of early Christians by a pagan contemporary in the 1st century. He called them "the third race".

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_third_race#ixzz1lS3cXMDd

[2] Peace, peace to those far and near.: says the Lord,”And I will heal them.”

The Church & I : Christian Submission in our New relationships (Eph 5:21-6:9)

Snippet of Sermon by Mr Daren Lee
When we come to a relationship with Jesus Christ, our existing relationships becomes new because of Him.

V21: Christian submission is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul mentioned that submission in 3 areas:
1. Wives and husbands;
2. children and father;
3. slaves and masters.

To put this verse in context, i.e. v 15-21 there is no period (full stop) after the phrase, " filled with the spirit." Instead a participle follows, rendering the "filling of the holy spirit" and "being submissive" as one i.e. the latter i.e. of "being subject (or submitting) to another out of reverence for Christ"  following from the former.

We are to "submit to one another" as a fish would adapt to water. But is this true today? Illustration of his re-dedication to God: He had a new love for the word, new fervency to pray. All these are evidences of a Spirit-filled life. Yet he noticed that he continued to struggle with submission. It doesn't get easier with time also. Is there something more fundamental that we need to deal with? The verse tells us we are to submit to one another our of 'reverence for Christ'. Our new submission is possible because it is rooted in our identity in Christ. In Lk 9:23-24, Jesus' invitation to follow him is a call to submission, to deny ourselves daily so that Christ will reside in us. We are called to practise submission on a daily basis.

Many are afraid to submit ourselves to another for fear of losing our identity, having to give up our personal rights etc. But when we practise true godly submission, we are going to receive the new me, the new identity in Christ. Power is the rule of the day in our world but Christ denied himself and gives us a new power to live. We are able to do so because for once in our lives, through Christ we know that we are of infinite worth. We now have a new identity to relate to others. Our surroundings continue to be filled with unreasonable bosses etc. they have not changed. But now desiring to deny ourselves daily, we are no longer the same. We can respond differently now that we know we are infinitely loved by Christ.

This is how it can be practiced: v 22 submit yourselves... To your own husband... Added in by the modern translators. Wives to your own husband as you to Christ:

1. Submission and love of husbands and wives

2. obedience of children and nurture by parents

3. Obedience of slaves and forbearance of masters.

Rather than emphasizing on the women, the slaves and the children, the focus is on man (Emphasis of man to be submit is mentioned 3 times). Focus on man:

• love your wife as your own body: 5 languages of love: gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, touch and acts of service. The way you feel most loved is typically the way your express your love. But it may not meet the need of your spouse. Figure out your spouse's love language.

Illustration: A talented and creative artist, an enthusiastic radio-show host; a happy mother and wife — no one would doubt the preciousness of Muriel McQuilkin's life — until her decline into the darkness of Alzheimer's disease.

Muriel spent the last decade of her life battling Alzheimer's, while her husband, Robertson, battled critics of his decision to stay home with her. Robertson's decision became controversial when he resigned as president of Columbia Bible College to care for Muriel full time. With his 22-year career at a peak, many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with "God's work."

Many urged him to put Muriel in a nursing home and continue with "God's work."

 

God's work, Robertson concluded, was taking care of his wife. "There are others who can lead the Bible college," he said, "but I am the only one who can care for Muriel." He didn't debate the ethical value of her life. The McQuilkins' story is about abiding love. "I wrote a book on ethics; I even researched euthanasia," Robertson said. "I know the issues. I am keeping a promise: 'til death do us part. I made my decision because I love her. I thought, Here's my lover; what can I do to make her life easier?" "When will you put her in a home?" "When someone else can take better care of her than I can."

To the oft-asked question, "When will you put her in a home?" Robertson always answered, "When someone else can take better care of her than I can." That never happened. Robertson kept his promise right up until Muriel's death in September 2003, feeding her, bathing her, loving her even when she could only respond with grunts and groans. "Love takes the sting out of duty," he says.
All of us who peek into the McQuilkins' story receive lessons in love. Robertson painted the portrait of Christian marriage as that of Christ and the church. He loves His bride even when she doesn't show love in return.

"Of course, love is designed to be reciprocated," Robertson says, "but true love is not about how lovable the object is but rather the heart of the one loving." Robertson notes that the decision to stay home with an ailing loved one is not for everyone. "My story doesn't always help people struggling with this issue," he says. Some people may not be old enough to retire from their jobs; some might not be physically strong enough to lift a sick person; some might not be emotionally strong enough to handle it. "I was fortunate to be in a position that I could do what I did," he says.

In Muriel's case, perhaps God used her most profoundly in her mental darkness. Their story has been published many times and has spurred countless marriages to deeper commitment. One afternoon Robertson received a foreign magazine with their story in another language. "See there, honey, you're preaching all over the world!" he told Muriel.

Since Muriel's death, Robertson speaks at churches, conferences and universities on the topic of love and marriage, most often sharing his lecture "Six Things Muriel Taught Me About Love." Through it all, their journey of love lives on and encourages many.

Chinese New Year Message: An Opportunity to Mend (Gen 43:24-34; John 21:9-14)

Snippet of Sermon by Rev Tan-Yeo Lay Suan


Chinese new year is a special time when we not only catch up with our immediate family but also with the extended family. These often appear in our visitation list for Chinese New year. Yet, how often have we experienced the abrupt deletion of one or two families over time. What happened? Usually these are dropped because there is some grievance with them that never got resolved. Especially when the link-pin to that family is gone (e.g. grandma etc.), the visits are discontinued and the list just got shorter and shorted. Sometimes the distance is created bvy years of neglect, misunderstandings, differing perspectives regarding the elders of the family... everyone has a story, a justification why we should skip this home and that.


As we come to this time of the year, particularly this evening (CNY Eve with the tradition of Reunion dinners), we will notice who is missing from the table and has not been invited to come. We will call to mind the ones we want to continue not to visit the next day. We make these decisions to avoid:

·         being reminded of the matter that led to this state of affairs

·         having to deal with it

·         having to apologize and make good whatever it was

·         the awkwardness of having to meet and receive these persons

·         being disappointed yet again, if there is no response or if things are not going to be mended the way we perceive they should be.

This morning we want to think about these ruptures and the family and how we may respond to them as believers celebrating Chinese New Year. After all, in God's eternal plan, he will be calling to all the 4 corners of the earth to bring together those who are in his family. We will all then share the same heaven, see each other for ever. Amongst this group, we will certainly meet people with whom we have had differences, fought legally in court. What would we do then in heaven if we do not attempt to restore some measure of peace at least our part in the responsibility?


How are we to answer the Lord's instructions given in Matt 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to 7 times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not 7 times, but 70 seven times.' Rom 13:8 says, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." If you feel the person owes you, then make that debt even more outstanding than it has ever been before. That's what Paul is saying. We have not come to 70 seven times.


Jesus also says in John 13:34-35, 'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you may love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.' Ever wonder why the remaining relatives who are not believers never want to cross that line to believe in Christ? They can't see how Christ's love can be genuine if 2 believing sets of relatives continue to keep up the rebuff. Peacable and peacemaking are to be the character of the children of God.


John 15:12 "This is my commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you." 1 John 3:1-3, 'See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself, just as He is pure.' If our rift is with non-believers, we want to become like Jesus before he appears. We show that we belong to Jesus when we are able to imitate the Lord: to lay aside our grievance against someone, forgive and extend once again that hand of kinship/friendship. Surprise them this festive season, be prayerful tonight as you gather your family together for the meal.


How will we do this?

·         Pick up that phone number that we’ve chucked away for a long time. Invite this person to your home for dinner tonight. He/she can only say, “No, I have other plans.”

·         Put that family back on that visitation list and just ring the door bell tomorrow. It’s unlikely that they will turn you away.

By doing these, you would have:

·         Sown seeds of peacemaking in just that one phone call or that one visit

·         Demonstrated what the Lord has done in your life. More than all that you’ve ever said to this family, this act or attempt at receiving the other will speak louder than those words.

·         Pleased the Lord more than you can ever imagine.

The challenge to us then is this: Think of Matt 5:46-47, “⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Does Jesus make a difference in your life when it comes to loving those whom you find difficult to love?

Remember the admonition Paul gave in Rom 12:17-21, “17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Can we leave our accumulated anger in the hands of God and let him take from us the right to repay those who have caused us loss and pain? Will you make the first move in imitation of Jesus Christ? Will you allow this embedded pain to be healed after all these years?

Yet, we are always waiting for the other to make the first move. Our pride will not let it go. We are fearful that if we make the first move, it would mean that “I am admitting that I was at fault.” Think of Joseph making that first move to usher his brothers into his house for a meal. Jesus made that first move to invite his disciples for breakfast by the shore. Both men knew that there were outstanding matters regarding the people they were going to eat with, yet they did not hesitate to open their arms to love. Can we do any less?

God is never far away when we learn to make peace because He is the ultimate peace-maker who alone is our inspiration. It was God who had intervened and blessed Esau in the years that Jacob had not seen him so that he had no thoughts of getting back at Jacob when they met again. God had not been idle all that time, but had prepared his brother. Similarly, it was God who gave Joseph perspective regarding his slavery and exile to Egypt and the years of suffering so that he could embrace his brothers who had done him in years ago.

After all these years, what new perspective has God given you regarding some of these buried grievances, a new way to view the past? Have you experienced that grace that Joseph was able to show to his siblings?

God honors our efforts to make peace and He will yet surprise you, just like he did with Jacob.  God is a specialist in mending broken relationships, pray and invite him to give you courage and bless your efforts to make that first move.

Illustration: Chancing One’s Arm

A dispute between two leading noble families of medieval Ireland, the Butlers (Earls of Ormond) and the FitzGeralds (Earls of Kildare) was resolved in 1492 by a brave act and a magnanimous response. Black James, nephew of the Earl of Ormond, fleeing from FitzGerald's Geraldine soldiers, took sanctuary in the chapter house of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Though he had the upper hand, with his soldiers surrounding Black James and his men, Gearoid Óg FitzGerald, Ireland's premier earl, wished to end the bloody feud between both families. He concluded that feuding was foolish since both families worshipped the same God in the same church. So he pleaded with Black James through the Chapter House's oak door to meet him to negotiate a peace. Black James rebuffed all requests. FitzGerald grabbed his spear and chopped a hole in the door with it. Then, having explained how he wished to see peace between the families, the Earl thrust his hand and arm through the hole to shake hands with Black James. It was a risky venture; any of Black James's heavily armed men could have hacked the Earl's arm off; however, James grasped his hand and opened the door. The 2 men embraced and ended the dispute. Can we learn to be like them, to “take a chance” in reaching out to someone in reconciliation this festive season?

New Beginnings (Phil 1: 3-6)

Sermon snippet by Rev Helen Hoe
Paul have had a great start in the letter. He says, “being confident of this” and ends with “will bring to completion.” It is as if those verses were like life's bookends. In between we are held by God's grace.

Began: He initiates to start a good work in us. Makes that first move, maybe we will not move at all. Recall Christian journey, we are mostly running away, deaf to the Lord. Not one time, God takes initiative and takes personal responsibility to continue in our life. There is a good work that he intends to accomplish in our lives. He will not rest till the good work is completed. od is not like man, he does not leave things unfinished. Our future does not depend on human will people but on the fact that God is our partner, the one. joint partakers of grace.

How are you? The polite answer is, “I am fine.”  Most of us feel we have some parts with no words to describe. For the moment, we are not all right. But it will change. We are God’s work in process.  Our role is to surrender, to place ourselves in God's hands and to trust the Master Designer as he shapes us. We may not see too far, we hope to be able to do that.
2 areas:

1.      With one another: so much healing is needed. Many of us are hurt because  of unmet expectations. Thank God for last our Townhall meeting last week. There was that mutual expectation, commitment to one another and to the body (the Church) despite the disappointments. Paul saw people through eyes of faith to the time when God has completed his work. The readers were not on good terms with each other and no amount of preaching will change that. In the same way, we need to pray fervently for the Lord to heal our spiritual myopia, for patience, for those who have disappointed us. One particular area: hurts: pastor often hear hurts from married and single people, from parents...  is this, “The going-on is so tough”. Pastor can offer the work of God to pray for them. God is not done with us yet. Our hope is not in the next therapy and strategy, we have so much with and in God. God can heal us.

       How to be patient with ourselves?  We may have started out well in the journey of obedience with the desire to know his word and will. Yet, we can become jaded, bogged down by life's share of despairing situations. What does it mean? In his 9 years of ministry, Paul shared that "Thrice he was beaten with rods..."  despite all that, Paul’s passion and zeal could not be shut down. There was an internal strength that will not be bashed by criticisms that can resist being shakened.  Is our passion level high enough? Pastor Andrew shared a song during Christmas Day written by Laura Story. In it are the words, “ For who am I to serve him, at times I feel discouraged, how many times will you pick me up? How far will it... A long as you are seeking on face, you will be given sufficient grace for each day.”  Laura Story's Song: Grace Let's be patient with ourselves.

2.      With people around us: We need healing with our community of faith as well.

Commitment : Is it a bad word? (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Snippet of Sermon by Mr Charles Loh

In the passage, we are told how Paul endured dangers, betrayals for the gospel for Christ. He was committed to a cause he believed in.  Today, commitment is not something that is upheld as we see divorce rates rising, where the turnover in just about every other company is an issue and worshipers taking membership seriously is an issue. What is commitment? It is a strong whole-hearted belief in a system demanding our support in terms of time and energy. If someone is committed, it's clearly visible in his actions. How does our commitment to church measure up? How do we view the announcements which are outside the scope of our participation? What can we say about our commitment and relationship with the church?

CAUSES FOR LACK OF COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH

One’s diluting commitment is a gradual process of wandering away. No one is blatant enough to disappear suddenly.

1.      A faltering relationship with God: In Rev 2:4, Paul chided the Ephesians with having left their first love. Many of us go through the up’s and down’s in our Christian life. When we come down, we give up serving and detach ourselves from community of faith. We allow our spiritual life to be like a yoyo. We need to guard our spiritual lives and have an accountability partner to keep us on track. Commit ourselves to be godly, find someone to walk the journey with us. Let us constantly ask ourselves the question that Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Make it a habit to read the bible daily.

2.      Priority of the church is low in our lists of priorities.  Engaging in sports, keeping fit, supporting our favorite football club, catching up with In-laws, we are often carried along with so many activities. When the competition for time becomes more intense, that prayer meeting will be dropped, but that golf game will remain. Let us review our priority list. What comes first? Where do I place God and that attentiveness to events that are related to Him?

3.      Technology has hastened our pace of life and we commit ourselves to more activities than ever before. Social media brings many people to our attention even more than before. Are we slaves to technology? Among the 7 things we always have by our side is our ipad, handphone etc. We feel lost without them as want to stay in touch and we want to be reachable. We can be giving one or two hours a day in these online activities. We must not underestimate the impact of technology in our lives as it saps away sour energy to do anything else. Many of us have grown up with it and we may not be able to imagine a world without them. Let us learn to be conscious how technology can impact our lives. Let us jealously guard our time for activities with the church.

4.      Concept of church is changing: Apparently, Singaporeans move 3 times on average. More Christians are moving from church to church as well because the praise time is not good, we are not getting much from sermons. Moving from church to church is not what it used to be. This phenomenon was rare just a few years ago. While we complain that many things done in church are not the way we like it, it's normal. Running away does not help. I would encourage you to step right in.

In Charis, we want to think connectedness. We have 3 congregations but we still have a long way to go to think one church. We still have a long way to go t, reach out and deliberately get to know each other. W2 is much younger their energy will have positive impact on the others. Can we partner them to reach out to a relatives and friends? We want to work at establishing that spiritual and emotional tie with the church. This year, we will be promoting the idea of one big extended family.  Let it become the focal point of our family.

5.      Breakdown of values: increasing young adults are unwillingly to commit to marriage. In 2010 two in seven marriages end in divorce.  This is also a serious problem among Christians. When we accept worldly values our spiritual values become diluted, our commitment will then diminished. We want to strengthen spiritual values in Church. We want to choose to lead godly lives based on the Bible.  How can we express our willingness? Sign up for membership and baptism and be willing to be identified with the church, make known your desire to live daily as a disciple of Jesus. Uphold the church by presence, prayers, gifts and service. Choose not to attend because it is boring or that church has nothing to do with you.

Baptismal/membership questions touched on: 

·      Loyalty to God: Among the top 3 concerns and priorities highlighted by our LCEC members, discipleship topped the list. God desires to see us grow in our discipleship, growing deeper in the word. Can we continue to believe God's plans for us when we encounter difficulties? Let us participate in the church’s program to build our own relationship with God.

·      Loyal to the church by our presence, prayers, gifts and service body life: joining  the family in its various get-togethers. Make effort to befriend those who are shy. Take the challenge to know everyone in the congregation. It’s about making effort to join cell. Let us not stay in comfort zone, especially the new ones from other congregations.

·      Commitment to the Great Commission: church mission. It is our responsibility to evangelize those in our midst. We have 3 evangelism Sundays where we can bring our friends. Make our church a hospital for those who are unwell. Don't turn it into a museum. Seize every opportunity to share the gospel, we want to serve the church financially. Our offering has been flat in the last 2 years and our giving per person is declining. $1.94 million was our target last year but we received much less, lower by $200,000. We want to grow in missions and social concerns, but how do we do that if our offering does not grow in tandem. Tithing is not old testament law, it is part of our worship today. From 2011 years to 2015 be strengthened and reach out, we will hear about how to reach out. Identify with the theme for ourselves. Bishop Solomon said last week, "church is not a spectator sport, we need to be active participants."

We need to start by centering around our relationship with Christ.
Commitment is a good thing when we commit ourselves to things that are important to us:

·      Relationship with God and Relationship with his body, the Church
Remember our call to share the gospel with others. Evaluate how you are keeping our membership vows. Make firm commitment to the Lord in 2012.