Lord's Day Sermon (16 September 2012)

Philippians 2:19-23
Timothy: Paul's Proven Son in the Faith
Rev Paauwe

Philippians is one of the prison epistles.

One of Timothy's attributes
v20 - Genuinely interested in the welfare of the people - "who do you care for?"

What would Paul say about me?

Philippians 2:21
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

v22 - Proved himself with faithfulness

So Paul sends him, having passed down what he learned from Christ.


Christ-like attributes
Self-giving, sacrificial
Faithfulness

Lord's Day Sermon (9 September 2012)

Job 2:11-13
Friends Beyond Words
By Rev Tan Eng Boo

The need for intimate, close friends even in the Church.

Job's 3 friends were such friends. They didn't just encourage or talk to Job, they actually came down to see him and be with him.

Proverbs 19:6-7 ESV
Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
All a poor man's brothers hate him;
how much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

Note: Jesus sets the example of the intimate friend. (John 15:13-15)

Job's 3 friends were from distant countries. They made the effort to come down and stand by Job.

So the 3 friends came down to mourn with and comfort Job. (v11) This is what Christians ought to do with one another, see Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2.

In v12, the 3 friends mourned with Job, sharing his sorrows.

Application for us in the Church - take the time to visit those in mourning.

In v13, the 3 friends just accompanied Job through a full week of silence. Job's grief must have been so overwhelming!

Application for us in the Church - there is no need to always say something in periods of grief.

So examine the need for close friends even in the Church.

Lord's Day Sermon (12 Aug 2012)

Revelations 2:1-7
When Christians Lose Their First Love For God
By Rev Tan Eng Boo

Concluding the book of Ephesians... See Ephesians 6:18 onwards; where Paul speaks of "reinforcing" the armour of God.

v18 - Pray! For ourselves AND for others.

Reference Acts 19:9-10, the beginning of Christianity in Ephesus, the beginning of the Church in Ephesus.

But today, in modern Turkey, Ephesus is no more.

So what happened?

Back to Revelations 2... and take note not to end up like this.

37 years later, this is the report of the Church from the Lord; a warning.

v1 - Jesus walks in the midst of His churches. Jesus controls (holds) the messenger/pastor of the churches.

v2 - Jesus knows the Ephesian church's work and specifically, her toil/labour. Jesus knew their patient perseverance. Jesus knew that they fought against evil (cf v6).

v3 - Jesus knew that they have not grown weary in the work.

v4 - but Jesus had something against them; they have left their first love. In the space of time (around 40 years) from when Paul established the church, the second generation of Christians should have taken over. Perhaps it was them who lost heart.

How about us? Have we lost our zeal for Christ? Have we grown cold?

Analogy of husband losing love for wife. This would destroy the marriage relationship.

Likewise, our loss of live for Christ will cause the same damage.

In addition, there is a loss of testimony.

v5 - Jesus gives the instruction for repentance;

REMEMBER from where they fell
REPENT from that fall
REDO the first works

Or He will suddenly come and remove the church.

v6 - see v2.

v7 - who will hear, will be rewarded by Christ.

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

 

Luke 18:7-8
⁷ And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Lord's Day Sermon (5 Aug 2012)

Ephesians 6:11-17
Building an Unyielding Defence III
by Pastor

So far, 4 armours...
The belt of truth
The breastplate of righteousness
The gospel of peace
The shield of faith

The last 2 armours...
The helmet of salvation
The sword of the Spirit

The Helmet of Salvation (v17)
Helmets are essential for a soldier; it protects the head. In the Bible, the understanding is to protect the mind.

This helmet can protect our minds from the wiles of the devil; doubts, anxieties, etc.

"Of salvation" refers to the assurance of our salvation. Salvation being a past, present and future experience - it has been completed in Christ, it is currently being worked out and it will be realised in glorification.

The Sword of the Spirit (v17)
First time a weapon in the Armour is mentioned. This weapon is spiritual in nature.

It can be offensive - Hebrews 4:12.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

It can be defensive - see how Scripture guards our hearts from temptations.