Archive Page 4
Posted a new article. It’s based on a teaching we had at Singapore Youth For Christ, and was kindly compiled by my friend Gregorry.
Introduction
Engaging someone would lead to being able to connect with the person. John included 2 conversations in John 3 and 4 to show us the kind of believers that Jesus was looking for, the sort of people he would accept. Jesus did not accept everyone who entrusted himself to him, for instance in John 2:23-24 we note that Jesus did not just accept whoever claimed to believe in his name. Those people had false faith as believed in Jesus because of his miracles alone. They had no conviction to the faith and did on believe based on who Jesus is and what he has done.
In short, to learn from the example of Christ in reaching out to a particular type of person, in the case, somebody who is an outcast.
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2 Cor 4:1-2 Paul kept to the original message, not watered down nor distorted unlike what other speakers in his time tend to do. So we must do likewise.
2 Cor 4:3-4 Not many will believe when we share! Expect rejection. But don’t stop there, in the light of expected rejections, pray. God is the One who lifts the veil from their hearts and causes them to see. (Mark 3:23-27 Mark 4)
2 Cor 4:5-6 Preach Christ and none other. Because only Christ can save, not peripheral issues like discussing about church etc.
2 Cor 4:7-18 We may feel fragile/weak like pieces of clay, which are common and easily broken. But God’s gospel message is strong to save and change lives; thus complementing our weakness perfectly as He intended.
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Being God’s instrument for good work
0 Comments Published by TedFox February 7th, 2006 in SanctificationFor we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
By God’s grace, we are now his workmanship, a new creation both as men and as saint, given new birth. This is all done by Grace alone, and by what Christ did on the cross alone, for there is no part we can play in our redepemtion.
Yet this does not mean that works is now excluded. Yes, good works will bring us no closer to our redemption, for God in his creation, has designed and purposed us for good works. We are prepared for such a task by the new knowledge of his will, and the change that is produced in us when we are given the new birth.
For by our works, we shall glorify God, in our perseverance in holiness.
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Are we a worker approved by God?
Before these verses, Paul was talking about “irreverent babble”, and it’s effects. In 2 Tim 2:19 Paul talks about how nothing can shake the truths of Christ. He also talks about how this foundation has two writings on it.
One of it offers comfort, where nobody can overthrow those that God has chosen as his children. The second speaks of our duty as God’s children : to depart from iniquity.
Thereafter, Paul continues to talk about how the Church of Christ is like a dwelling. There are some who profess of faith, who would be cast aside and discarded. And there are those who will be of value.
So there is a need for each of us to see that we are holy vessels for Christ. We must all be somebody whom God approves, who is devoted to God’s service, and thus fitted for his use.
Thus we need to be:
- Depart from iniquity
- Purge ourselves from those that dishonour the church
- Be fit for God’s use
- Be devoted for God’s use
- Be sanctified in our hearts
Looking at both passages, things we can reflect upon are:
- How willing am I to be at the Master expense?
- Pray for willing heart and mind.
This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss
~Charles Spurgeon
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1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Since we’re called to be stewards of the mysteries of God, we should be aware of what these mysteries actually are.
Mystery of Godliness 1 Tim 3:16
Mystery of Iniquity 2 Thes 2:7
Mystery of Christ Eph 3:4
Mystery of Christ and the Church Eph 5:32
Mystery of the faith 1 Tim 3:9
Mystery of Israel Rom 11:25
Mystery of the Second Coming 1 Cor 11:26
Mystery of Babylon Rev 17:5
All the basic truths of the Bible
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Timesonline has a news article which talks about how the Catholic Church no longer swears by truth of the Bible.
I think this is one area where catholics differ greatly from the protestants. Catholics might talk about how protestant believers just seem to have so many denominations, and how that is an indication of problems. However, we all still believe in the same fundamental truth. And we are basically guided by the truth of The Word.
This is another example to show why studying the bible is so important
Continue reading ‘Catholic Church and the Bible’
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There has been a recent spate of forwarded SMS about a pastor, being sentenced to execution by beating in East Timor, and to pray for him.
Just want to say that the sms is fake, but i’m sure he’ll appreciate if you could pray for his ministry.
*update* in 2006
Apparently new rumors are going around in Oct 2006. While I can’t say for sure that the news is fake, I doubt that they are real either.
Link to report of fake news in 2005Â
But I’m sure as a missionary, he is facing much persecution, like many others. So I implore you to keep all who are sharing God’s word in prayer
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A flash movie by Chris Carmichael
Not such if he is any related to Amy Carmichael, but it’s a wonderful flash movie that talks about the focus and methods of many churches these days.
His website also talks about the dangers of how the ways of the church are beginning to be more and more like the world’s. An issue that’s close to my heart. Even if you don’t have the time, do drop by and take a look at the site.
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