Monday, June 27, 2016

26 June 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh wrapped up the short series entitled “One Accord”
Highlighting that many people slip after a high with the Lord
Of course when we are desperate and in need, we often pray
But after our prayers are answered, from good habits we stray
Josh said we should be led by relationships, not circumstances
In that way, we can keep the momentum up and make advances

Josh used three Biblical examples to make points numbering three
The first was the Transfiguration, in Matthew seventeen we do see
There was also Moses’ encounter in Exodus chapter twenty four
And Elijah and fire in First Kings eighteen which is the stuff of lore
All three involved a mountain as a centrepiece, not just a prop
As such, the sermon was entitled “Maximising the Mountaintop"

The purpose of the mountaintop is what Josh first talked about
For without a clear purpose, there will be abuse without a doubt
In the Transfiguration, God said they should listen to His Son
God gave Moses a plan to handle what there was to be done
The Lord answered Elijah’s prayers with fire to show his strength
For godly encounters like these, most of us often pray at length

But problems also arise when we come down from the mountaintop
We come down to reach out to others but challenges arise nonstop
Moses got extremely angry when he returned to see pagan worship
Elijah was scared of Jezebel’s threat so he went away on a long trip
We have to recognise that God’s word and plans will be tested
For the enemy wants God’s kingdom’s progress to be arrested

So the real question is how we should respond, Josh did then say
The clear Biblical answer is to turn back to God and fervently pray
God continued to sustain Elijah as he went back to the mountain
Moses went back up the mountain to atone for the people’s sin
Peter, James, and John looked up and saw only Jesus remaining
Reminding us that that single focus ensures our faith is sustaining

Sunday, June 19, 2016

17 June 2016 - Burning Hearts

On Friday, the Burning Hearts conference was blessed by Francis Chan
All were moved by the powerful words and testimony of this great man
A picture of a large army came to him before he spoke to the big crowd
He then said that people in God’s army should be fearless, never cowed

Francis highlighted the story of Gideon in Judges chapters six and seven
Gideon's army of thirty two thousand was too large, said God in heaven
Asking those who “trembled with fear" to leave led to the first reduction
In Numbers, only two were fearless, surviving by obeying God’s instruction

Francis pointed out that with affluence, the church often struggles to thrive
This is probably because riches and comfort tend to our courage deprive
In Matthew twenty four, Jesus voiced a warning about love growing cold
Reminding believers that no matter the environment, we must stay bold

Per Hebrews twelve verse twelve, Jesus suffered outside the city gate
We should also not fear being unpopular and rejected, Francis did state
Jesus went through temptations, challenges, and a very unjust process
We should follow Him rather than crowds, and in doing so be fearless
For going with the flow and the popular way does not give us true life
In fact we must lose our life in order to find it amidst this earthly strife

Regarding the challenges of affluence, Francis turned to First Timothy six
Paul said not to put hope in wealth, but that to God our eyes should fix
Living for God leads to good works as well as a generous spirit and heart
Remembering that it is more blessed to give than to receive is a good start
Similarly, Christian thinking should be focused not on one’s self but on others
We should treat everyone as well as we treat our own sisters and brothers

Paul said that power comes from prayer, per Ephesians chapter three
For motivation comes not from external factors but from the Spirit Holy
If our thoughts, words, and actions are rooted and grounded in love
We will be walking in accordance with the desires of our Lord above

In summary, Francis asked the congregation what we want to be known for
Go beyond being great leaders, parents, and businessmen, he did implore
For it is far better to be filled with the fullness of God and follow His way
Even if that means challenging the popular political correctness every day

Sunday, June 12, 2016

12 June 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh concluded the short series entitled One Accord
Talking about “Unity” on his anniversary left none of us bored
Blessings are associated with unity, per Psalm one thirty three
Life forevermore is God’s promise, it is very evident to see

The power of unity is clear through the Bible, Josh did say
Even in Genesis eleven when people did not follow God’s way
The world all spoke the same and built the tower of Babel
God then said that “nothing they propose will be impossible”

The purpose of unity is therefore important to bear in mind
“Let us make a name for ourselves” said ungodly mankind
As believers, we need to understand God’s vision for us
Per John seventeen, unity with God Jesus did discuss
For then our unity will show others all about God’s love
Per John thirteen, being disciples of Jesus who is above
And if we do not love others on earth, Josh also did say
Then we are not filled with God’s love, for that is His way

The process of unity is best done imitating Christ’s humility
Which Paul wrote in Philippians chapter two for us to see
We should act in the interests of others, not just conceit
By humbling himself to death, the enemy Jesus did defeat
God then exalted Jesus, showing that humility bring glory
Serving Jesus and uniting in humility are thus laudatory

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

5 June 2016 - ENCS

“Experiencing church community” started the new series One Accord
Into Acts chapter two verse forty two, Rachel Ong in depth explored
Per that verse, four specific things the early Christians did in earnest
Learning, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer aided their quest
The first and the last link us with God, the other two with each other
Reminding us that in both parts of community we should smother

The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
We also have access to the entire Bible plus of course preaching
To commune with God, Rachel has a yellow chair in a specific place
Similarly, we should daily read the Word at a given time and space
And in the same way that we focus on our phones and children
When we meditate on God's Word, we should pay full attention

The early believers devoted themselves to growing fellowship
We have life groups, which establish more than one relationship
Although we may get hurt, in others we should believe the best
Of course forgiving others as Jesus did is a very difficult test
For “loving your neighbour as yourself” is a godly command
By making this intentional, our diversity can be a strong stand
Also, per Genesis one, God has always wanted to be our friend
If is therefore not healthy or God-like if being solitary is our trend

The early believers devoted themselves to breaking of bread
Which is not just about eating, but also fellowship Rachel said
We can share life, hospitality, and kindness through our food
By breaking bread, into our networks we others can include
The breaking of bread is also symbolic, per Luke twenty two
As it did foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice Jesus would do
We influence others by serving them, per John seventeen
This servant leadership was in Jesus’ life constantly seen

Finally, the early believers also devoted themselves to prayer
During which we should listen, not just talk, for God does care
Jesus showed us how best to pray, per verses in Matthew six
Rachel said we can not pray right until our priorities we do fix
For when we do manage to put God’s will first, all else will flow 
God will inspire us in prayer and then into the world we can go