30 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Mark Chew spoke about parables three

In Matthew twenty one and twenty two we see

The focus of all three is actually Jesus, the Son

“What do you think?” is appropriate for everyone

The parable of two sons Jesus shared, not afraid

One son pretended obedience, the other delayed

True obedience is like Jesus, following God’s will

It may not sound that exciting but it sure does fulfil

Obedience also reveals the trust we have in God

It is the hallmark of Jesus so we should be awed

The parable of the talents talks about stewardship

And faithfulness to use our talents on our life’s trip

For this is how we should give honour to our God

Fruitfulness serves to revere the Son we applaud

This parable also acts to foretell Jesus’ final days

His suffering and death due to others’ evil ways

The wedding banquet parable has persuasion

The first invitees were indifferent to the occasion

So the invitation then became open to everyone

Akin to our imputed righteousness via the Son

23 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Seth Trimmer from Oregon spoke on “Church Hurt”

A topic which is both universal and historical, he did assert

From a passage in Second Corinthians chapter thirteen

Even Paul struggled with the Corinth church, it was seen

He said that people hurt leaders and leaders hurt people

This is true in many workplaces but also under the steeple

But church hurt tends to hurt even more than other places

As our expectations are for loving and supportive bases

When we experience pain, we tend to want for it to stop

But God wants us to achieve growth as our pain we swap

Jesus knows all about pain, both physical and emotional

His pain helps us achieve glories, so it’s not just notional

Pastor Seth said there are three questions we should ask

When dealing with hurt in church or elsewhere is the task

Who hurt you? Were you hurt or were you harmed? is next

Was the hurt initiated or aggravated? then gives us context

Tim Fletcher says that healing requires a surrogate family

And of course that is what a church community should be

Excitement often leads to disappointment which we loath

We should follow on from there to adjustment and growth

16 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Arnie Manzano this morning shared wisdom aplenty

His sermon “Lord Like No Other” based on Matthew twenty

Starting with an important reminder from the chapter before

Many who are first will be last, many who are last will get more 

Arnie said Jesus being The Generous Master is clearly seen

Per the parable of vineyard workers in verses one to sixteen

For expectations develop easily and can go on to breed envy

Comparison is the thief of joy, per the Roosevelt named Teddy

God’s salvation is open to all so we should trust His generosity 

For it is by His grace we are saved, in Ephesians two we see

Jesus The Servant Leader is seen through verse twenty eight

He shared with His disciples what in Jerusalem did Him await

Entitlement breeds expectations but Jesus said to be selfless

Those wanting to be great must serve and then God will bless

Jesus gave His life for many so we must trust Jesus’ sacrifice

Isaiah fifty three had prophecied that Jesus would pay the price

Jesus is The Compassionate Healer per the final eight verses

Two blind men were persistent despite others yelling curses

Jesus hears our cries and He causes change to be revealed

We should trust God’s compassion and to the Holy Spirit yield

9 June 2024 - ENCS

The series on Matthew Vicki Tekwani did continue

Chapter nineteen from verse thirteen on we did view

“Entry Requirements of the Kingdom” was the title

For this is often discussed, it is a topic most vital

Vicki began by sharing what such entry it is not about

Age and experience do not guarantee a heavenly route

Similarly, good deeds alone can never earn eternal life

Likewise even if our efforts and achievements are rife

So what are the requirements, the question becomes

Having a childlike faith leads to the desired outcomes

Implying utter dependence on God, not on what we do

Absolute surrender to God’s will we should not eschew

And for those who gain entry, what rewards do await

Children of God inherit the kingdom, per Romans eight

The treasures in heaven far outweigh those on earth

And of course eternal life provides for immense worth

2 June 2024 - ENCS

The series on Matthew Pastor Josh did today continue

The second part of chapter eighteen we did thus view

Josh reminded us to remember what is on God’s heart

Having relationships with both God and others is smart

How to deal with sin in the church starts in verse fifteen

Start with a one on one conversation it is clearly seen

Then bring two or three others and then to the church

Always doing so in love, being careful not to besmirch

If all these steps fail, like a “pagan or tax collector” treat

And remove tham from any leadership position or seat

But remember that Jesus said everyone we should love

In the same way, we sin but are still loved from above

The subsequent versus touch on the topic of forgiveness

Forgive seven times, Peter in verse twenty one did express

“Seventy seven times” is the response Jesus did give

Which is still far less than how often He does us forgive

In summary, Josh shared points in a voice quite vehement

Relationships require honesty, accountability, agreement

Unforgiiveness results in anger, ruins lives, rejects mercy

Forgiveness requires God’s grace, as so often we do see

26 May 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

About value, based on chapter eighteen he did say

Who is the greatest in heaven the disciples did ask

Calling a little child, Jesus Christ took them to task

Jesus said that only those who have faith like a child

Will end up in heaven and with the Lord be reconciled

For children are also willing followers, seemingly lowly

Jesus came not to lead but to serve, as we often see

Ergo, we must take care not to cause others to stumble

Although we have much power, we must remain humble

Watching where we go, what we do, and what we say

From sources of temptation, we must clearly stay away

The real message of the lost sheep in verse thirteen

Is the lone sheep’s isolation presents dangers unseen

God is our shepherd who doesn’t want any to perish

So saving lost sheep is something we should cherish

The shepherd’s voice often comes through other sheep

By sharing God’s word with others, His plan we do keep

Pastor Josh then showed how to do so with the SQ App

In “Proclaim", “The Good News” button we should tap

We should value little and lost ones, and lowly positions

Avoiding sights, words, and places with tempting conditions

We can receive the love of God, our Shepherd from above

Then with the rest of the world, show and share His love 

24 May 2024 - Freedom

Pastor Josh Harris led a session entitled “Freedom” last night

We were made for freedom, as in Genesis two Josh did cite

Freedom enables us to choose life, per Deuteronomy thirty

As the alternative has implications for one's generational tree

Being rightly related to God is known as spiritual freedom

Being rightly related to others is called relational freedom

And being rightly related to ourselves is physical freedom

While being rightly related to resources is financial freedom

Through God’s truth and God’s spirit, His freedom we see

Per John eight verse thirty two, His "truth will set us free”

"For where God’s spirit is, there is freedom” is thus seen

In Second Corinthians chapter three verse number sixteen

Spiritual freedom releases us from spiritual disobedience

Also from spiritual oppression which we may experience

Alternatively it enables us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly

And to experience fruitfulness by  loving others willingly

Spiritual freedom in turn empowers freedom relationally

From unforgiveness and bitterness which are far from holy

Also from relational dysfunctions which are hard to survive

But to forgiveness and walking in love, per Ephesians five

For physical freedom, spiritual freedom also does empower

Taking us away from anxiety, stress, and pasts that are sour

Instead into the peace of God, per Philippians chapter four

As well as to power, love, self-discipline, and so much more

Spiritual freedom also does empower freedom financially

Financial aspects include time, energy, as well as money

From addictions, habits, and false refuges Josh did tell

But into serving others and stewarding God’s grace well