Lord's Day Sermon (24 June 2012)

Ephesians 6:12-17
Building An Unyeilding Defence - The Armour of God (1)
By Pastor

We need to ask - are we in spiritual warfare? Is life so good and comfortable that we forget or dismiss this?

1. We are in a spiritual warfare (v12)

Our enemy is Satan and his intention is to destroy (1 Peter 5:8) us.

This spiritual warfare is serious business. World leaders can be under the influence of the devil (Daniel 10:13, 20).

Do not be complacent, all of us are targets of Satan. Jesus warned Peter. Peter warned believers (1 Peter 4:12). Jesus warned believers (John 16:18-20).

2. Put on the whole armour of God (v13)

Note the instruction - put on the WHOLE armour.

Why put on armour? To "withstand in the evil day" and to "stand firm".

Always have the armour on - like a soldier ought to.

3. The Armour of God: The Belt of Truth (v14)

"Stand" and be prepared for action - don't be caught off guard (2 Cor 2:11).

"Truth" has reference to God's Word (John 17:17). So get to know the Bible and apply/do it... Don't be an illiterate Christian.

Psalm 19:7–11
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.

Lord's Day Sermon (17 June 2012)

Matthew 5:5
Who will take over the World?
By Rev (Dr) John Grauley

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

The world that we live in is a world in a great deal of turmoil - e.g. economic and what not. We don't know what is going to happen.

However, in history, there have been people who want to rule the world.

So how do we really "win" in such situations?

We have the words from Jesus that state - the meek, and only the meek, will rule the world.

In Jesus' day, meekness was associated with weakness. Same today.

This part of the beatitudes builds on the first 2. To be meek is build upon these 2; a desire to depend on God and dying to self.

The world today is all about self-assertion. Humility and self-sacrifice is frowned upon. Besides, we are conceited beings. Being meek is not a natural thing. How should we consider meekness then?

What is meekness?
Meekness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Meekness has the idea of taming a wild beast. Meekness is power under control.

Look to Jesus for meekness.

Meekness is the the opposite of self-interest. We need to be self forgetful. The meek man is not a mouse - though he may be a Samson, he does not exalt himself, neither does he think highly of himself. He knows he is weak and little before God.

Yet paradoxically, the meek man knows that he is more important than the angels and that he is valuable in God's eyes.

Being meek is not about letting people trample over us but rather about the restraint of power.

How does meekness affect our lives?
Meekness has to do with being teachable, coming under the authority of God.

Look at the example of Mary. When the angel told her that she was pregnant, instead of putting her reputation before the announcement, she submitted to the Lord.

Look at Jonah, who tried to escape preaching the saving gospel to the Ninevites by running away. Despite submitting finally, he was still angry with God for saving the Ninevites.

So is Jesus really Lord of my life? Do I live a life for His glory or my glory?

Do we really win being meek?
Look at Abraham and Lot - choosing the land, the elder let the younger choose first.

Look at Saul and David - David did not lay hands on the Lord's anointed.

Though we may suffer for it, we win by being meek, obeying the Lord.

Look at the Christians during the Roman persecutions. They won Rome with their love for the persecutors.

Look at Jesus, who suffered and did not retaliate, but rather, entrusted Himself to the Father.

How do we become meek?
We have to pray and ask God to develop meekness; it is the Fruit of the Spirit.

And we put it into practice!

No one masters a music instrument without practise.

Building Christian Relationships (Message 7) - How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 7th message about the fourth condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated (Matthew 18:15-20)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

Matthew 18:15–20
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

How? In the manner which Jesus prescribes.

Step 1
Go to the brother privately and tell him his sin (v15)
'Fault' means 'sin'.
Don't beat around the bush, lest you forget to say it.
Do go PRIVATELY.
"gaining" a brother means winning a brother to a twofold restoration of relationship between God & Man and Man & Man.

Step 2 (if 1 fails)
Take one or more with us and go see that brother privately again (v17)

Why take more people?
So that they may be witnesses to the words this brother says (Deut 19:15). Then they may testify to the elders if something happens.
They are to also help persuade him (cf v17a, 'hear them')

Step 3 (if 2 fails)
Appeal to the church (v17a)

Step 4 (if 3 fails)
The church is to excommunicate him

He is to be dropped from the membership of the church. This means, if he is on a church board, he resigns, if he teaches, he resigns, if he is a musician, he ceases, anything to do with the church, ceases.
Does this mean we are to be unkind? Not at all because the Bible tells us to be kind to everyone.

This is a commandment from Jesus.

Step 5 (after telling the church)
Jesus gives the church the authority to excommunicate him (v18)

'Bound' means to prohibit.
'Loose' means to allow.

This means that whatever is prohibited in God's Word on earth is prohibited in heaven. God will ratify this.

Cf 1 Cor 5:13 and 2 Cor 2:5-10

Excommunication is done for the good of the sinning brother.

After Jesus says those things, notice v19. If 2 come together in prayer for something they wanted, God will grant it according to His will.

Why is it so? Why will the Lord do that?
Jesus explains in v20 - He will be spiritually present with those praying together in His Name (or in His authority) so that what is prayed will be in His will.

Building Christian Relationships (Message 6) - How to Have Unity in the Church

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 6th message in the Theme but the 1st  about the third condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

How to have Unity in the Church (1 Cor 12:12-26)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

1 Cor 12:12-26

¹² For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many.
¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body?
²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.
²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Christ also has a body made up of different members with different spiritual gifts. The body is made up of different people, regardless of race, baptized by the Spirit into the body. Every one of them has partaken of the Holy Spirit and He dwells in each one. Paul reiterates this. (v12-14)

4 things the Apostle Paul says we must do to maintain unity in the church.

We must be content with our own spiritual gift (v15 - 17)
Do not complain if you do not have a particular gift. Be contented with the gift you have, knowing that despite what we have, we remain part of the body.

Guard against jealousy!

Therefore the very existence of the body depends on the different members coming together in unity.


God determines our position and spiritual gift in the church (v18)

Setting the members (spiritual gift) is both about determining its position and enabling it.
E.g. If God determines that a believer is to be a helper, He will also give the gift of help to him.

Rejecting a position or gift, is resisting the will of God because He alone decides who gets what.

If every believer were to accept God's gifting, there would be unity in the church.

We must recognize our dependence on one another (v21)

"My deficiency is made up by your ability"

If every member is necessary, then even those who seem disinterested, or even detrimental, are necessary too. No one ought to be cut off. They may serve a purpose that God intended.


We must care for one another, just as we care for ourselves. (v22-24, key v25)

There may be some people in the church that don't have attractive gifts but God adjusts to give more honor to them so that the member can give more care to one another.

People serving in the nursery and pastors; both ought to receive the same care.

The consequence of this v26 - that if that one suffers, all suffers, one is honored, all rejoices. This is what ought to be done.

Building Christian Relationships (Message 5) - That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 5th message in the Theme but the 2nd about the second condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

That Little Piece of Flesh that Dwells Between Our Jaws (James 3:5-6)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

James 3:5-6
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

The Description of the Tongue

A fire (fire) v5b
A tiny spark can be the means to destroy a forest. And the tongue can destroy indeed! (v6a, a fire)

Sad thing that when such damage was done, it is impossible to totally undo the damage.

An embodiment of all kinds of unrighteousness (v6b)
A world of unrighteousness! Every kind of evil has been perpetuated by the tongue. Look at the 10 commandments, how many are broken by the tongue. Every one of them!

v6c onwards, James is saying that the tongue shows itself to be an embodiment of evil among the members of the body.

It defiles all the other posts of the body by influencing it to sin (v6d, staining)

How does the tongue influence the body to sin? By verbally committing to sin.

So we must be careful to make verbal commitments, make sure it does not go against the Word. But if we find out later that a commitment would cause us to disobey God, we must honor God first by backing out of the commitment.

The tongue sets on fire the wheel of life (v6d, entire course)

It affects every single part of life; destroying communities. E.g. couples, neighbors, church, business, school, social etc. Every part of life is included.

It is inspired by the devil (v6e, hell [gehenna])
Any time the tongue is an instrument of evil, it is being inspired by the devil.


See... This is why the tongue needs to be controlled.

But it is tough to tame, in fact, no one can (cf v8) but God, through the Holy Spirit, can bring it under control.

Building Christian Relationships (Message 4) - That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 4th message in the Theme but the 1st  about the second condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

That Little Piece of Flesh that Dwells Between Our Jaws (James 3:1-5)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

James 3:1-6
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

v2
In many things, we all sin, whether we are teachers of the Word of God or not.

James then goes from a discussion about teachers to the tongue.

He will discuss about the Importance of the tongue. v2b-5a
Description of the tongue. v5b - 8
Uses of the tongue. v9
Improper use of the tongue. v10

Why talk about the tongue?
v2b - if we are sinless in our speech, then we are spiritually mature, and able to also control the whole body!

James now gives several illustrations.

v3 - Controlling horses with a small bit... Why? To make them obey us.

v4 - Controlling a huge ship in the midst of a gale/storm with a small rudder. The pilot can control the ship to go wherever he wants it to go.

v5 - James now applies his illustrations... Just as the bit is small compared to the horse. Just as the rudder is small compared to the huge ship.

Just as the tongue is small, it can do great things.

Yet, we can't control our tongue. We don't care what friendship is destroyed, what business is harmed, etc.

James is saying that we are not spiritual, matured people if we cannot control the tongue (cf v2).

Wow. Instead of always seeking to do good, to do better, consider working on the control of the tongue.

Building Christian Relationships (Message 3) - A Portrait of Love

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 3rd message about the first condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

A Portrait of Love (1 Cor 13:6-7)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

1 Cor 13:6-7
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

v6b
Love rejoices with righteousness.

"With" is used... Interesting.
Note how Paul makes a contrast with the first part of verse 6.

True, biblical love rejoices when righteousness is done.

v7a
Love patiently bears all the troubles and annoyances that come to us.

Bear in the Greek means a roof, the idea that of a roof sheltering against the elements.

v7b
Love believes the best regarding the things that happen.

"Benefit of a doubt"

Doesn't mean we condone evil but we recognize it though we still must forgive on a personal level.

v7c
Love expects the best regarding all the things that others do. It is optimistic.

We expect the best and should be genuinely disappointed if the best does not happen.

v7d
Love bravely and calmly bears all sufferings and persecutions that come to it.

Do not retreat from our position of love!

This is surely tough thing... A battle of endurance.


--
Wow. What a difference from the world's standard!

Building Christian Relationships (Message 2) - A Portrait of Love

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.


[This is the 2nd message about the first condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

A Portrait of Love (1 Cor 13:5-6)

by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)

1 Cor 13:5-6
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

v5a
Love does not act in an unbecoming, improper manner. It always maintains a proper decorum.

True biblical love results in good manners.

Example of the Apostle Paul of his conduct in the market place our in front of kings.

v5b
Love does not seek to please itself... cf 1 Cor 10:33

Love is not selfish. It doesn't ask, "what's in it for me?"

Live for others!

v5c
Love is not easily provoked by the injurious things done to it.

We will have hurtful things done to us but if we have biblical love, we will not be roused to anger. Take it in stride!

v5d
Love does not impute evil to the perpetrator. It's not resentful.

Love forgives on a personal level. ("personal" included to show how it IS to be done on such a level but excludes the punishment that follows a crime, for example.)

v6a
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. It grieves over unrighteousness.

Do I grieve over unrighteousness?

If I don't, have I become so hardened? So desensitized?

Love does not sympathize with unrighteousness.


Is that a picture of me? What does my picture look like?

Building Christian Relationships (Message 1) - A Portrait of Love

This church camp, we will study how to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS. There are 4 conditions we need if we are going to BUILD CHRISTIAN RELATIONS.

[This is the 1st message about the first condition]

Building Christian Relationships

1. A Portrait of Love (Part 1) 
2. A Portrait of Love (Part 2) 
3. A Portrait of Love (Part 3) 
4. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 1) 
5. That Little Piece of Flesh That Dwells Between Our Jaws (Part 2) 
6. How to Have Unity in the Church 
7. How a Christian Brother Who Sins Against Us is to be Treated 

A Portrait of Love (1 Cor 13:4)
by Dr William Harding (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Biblical Theology, Biblical Theological Seminar)
 
The first condition - We must have true biblical love.

1 Cor 13:4

Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up...

In 1 Cor 13:4, Paul begins to paint a portrait of love.

1. Love endures an offense without seeking against the one who committed it. (v4a)

We will be offended many times in this life but if we have true biblical love, we will endure the offense without seeking revenge.

2. Love is naturally deposed to do acts of kindness (v4b)

Love does not look at a situation and go, "I don't feel like being kind but I'll force myself to be kind."

Interesting point. A part of the Fruit of the Spirit is "kindness" and "love".

3. Love isn't jealous but is content with its lot (v4c)

Note: jealousy can also take place because of relationships as well as over physical items. Be wary of the intangible factors that trigger jealousy.

Love looks to God and accepts whatever lot He has given!

To be rid of jealousy, repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness then seek the Lord's help in genuinely looking out for the very best good of that person.

4. Love isn't boastful but it is modest, recognizing that the credit for everything belongs ultimately to the Lord. (v4d)

Vaunteth = boasting, bragging

A braggart brags about his ability, importance or accomplishments.

The proper opposite of this ought to be the understanding that all credit ultimately belongs to the Lord.

5. Love isn't conceited but it is humble, recognizing that all that it has is by the grace of God (v4e)

From the outward boastfulness to the inward pride... Love isn't conceited; an overestimation of one's ability, importance or accomplishments; inflated with pride.


If any one of this characteristics is missing, repent and ask the Lord thru the Holy Spirit to grow that fruit.