27 March 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke to us about “Changing Lives” on this Easter Day

Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, is what he oft does say

God in in the business of changing lives in many a different way

To better grasp this, about our life’s purpose Josh did then convey

God created male and female in His image, per Genesis chapter one

To have fellowship with God and dominion over the earth bar none

But after Adam and Eve’s first sin, as written in Genesis chapter three

They became aware of shame and guilt, hiding so God could not see

And per Isaiah chapter fifty nine, iniquities must lead to a separation

God actually showed mercy, as the alternative was eternal damnation

Much of the Old Testament points to the need for a perfect sacrifice

Jesus was the perfect lamb, and although innocent He paid the price

Per Mark chapter fifteen, even Pilate proclaimed Christ’s innocence

The crowd wanted Him crucified, even though that made no sense

For one week earlier, they were proclaiming Him King of the Jews

Even today, that dramatic reversal of views would make the news

So Jesus was scourged, beaten, and mocked per John nineteen

He knows what it is like to be wrongly punished, it is clearly seen

Reverting to Mark fifteen, Jesus asked God why He was forsaken

God had to be separated from the sin before Jesus’ life was taken

But per Isaiah fifty three, this had been clearly prophesied to man

Even before creation, the triune God had developed a master plan

So when Jesus said that “it is finished” in John chapter nineteen

He meant that our debt was paid in full, as in the Greek is seen

So per the traditional Easter refrain “He is risen”; "He is risen indeed”

We should conclude that from sin and death we are eternally freed

27 March 2016 - PLMC Sunrise Service

Pastor Lynette spoke on “Easter Hope” at sunrise service this Easter day

Given recent news headlines, violent and dark times appear to be the way

Easter is the counter-argument - love, new life, mercy, and forgiveness

Good overcame evil in Jesus’ day where the evil was actually no less

We often think that evil has the upper hand, like Good Friday afternoon

But should remember that Jesus ensured that death went into a swoon

Things will improve - light will replace darkness, truth will overcome lies

So we should have hope and optimism in our hearts, minds, and eyes

Each of us has our own personal “Brussels” challenges and frustration

Being hopeless is worse than failing, for it is the greatest condemnation

But the message of Easter is one of hope, which promises a future bright

Which we should carry with us no matter how dark is the current night

In Luke twenty four, the women remembered, returned, and reported

Angels came to correct the women’s initial view which was distorted

Similarly, if we need healing, we should trust Isaiah chapter fifty three

And if we lack provision, Genesis twenty two has words we should see

And even when faced with an apparent contradiction, we must proceed

We must leave our empty tombs and testify the truth that we are freed

Lynette said that in church we need participation, not just observation

For Jesus’ resurrection is for our salvation, ending our condemnation

We were buried but now have new life in Him, per Romans chapter six

So remember that Jesus loves us and can help us any problem fix

Insead of getting caught up with the empty tomb and the negatives

Lynette said that we should remember all of the love that God gives

25 March 2016 - PLMC

Leslie Quahe spoke on “Perspectives from the Cross” this Good Friday

When God calls us, there is always sacrifice involved he did rightly say

The shofar, or trumpet in the Bible, provides a good reminder Leslie did tell

It comes from a dead kudu and still has blood vessels and a pungent smell

When it comes to perspective, we should be on our knees looking to God

Per Psalm one hundred twenty one, lifting our eyes is correct, not odd

We often think the Bible offers an earthly view of heaven, Leslie said

But it actually as effectively offers a view of earth from heaven instead

For Jesus’ perspective from the cross, he referred to First Peter one

The plan for redemption was planned before the creation was done

It was planned in order to show the fullness of God’s love via sacrifice

For He has a plan so we should persevere even if things are not nice

The two thieves hanging on the crosses each had a different perspective

That in the end would actually determine where each would for eternity live

The first was cynical, blaming the unfair world for his bad actions so long

The second noted that it was really unfair that Jesus had done no wrong

Jesus told the second that they would meet in paradise later that same day

He offers us the same promise as for our sins the price he already did pay

The centurion’s perspective was driven by his time spent in battle, seeing death

He concluded that Jesus was God’s son, as love emanated until His last breath

Today as we gaze upon the cross and wonder why things go wrong frequently

Leslie reminded us of thorns and thistles God promised Adam in Genesis three

But he then told us there were three crosses on Calvary that fateful dark day

Standing for the three Ts - thorns, thistles, and triumph if we follow God’s way

Even Jesus’ disciples gave up hope, as His promise of resurrection they forgot

So regardless of what we do or think, God’s plan and glory shines through a lot

23 March 2016 - BSF

Seven letters to seven churches in Revelation two and three we do see

They represent all the churches in the past, present, and what will be

Jesus rebukes and warns; He makes promises and encourages with love

Churches are to faithfully proclaim His gospel until He returns from above

Too much integration with non-believers can lead to doctrinal deviation

If churches are not acting as the salt and light they face condemnation

The Ephesian church was commended for their deeds and perseverance

But that along the way they had lost their “first love” was Jesus’ stance

Howe Lai said that having truth without love leads to mere cold power

While love without truth ceases to be genuine, seemingly by the hour

The advice given was to remember, repent, and return to our true love

Which of course means turning to God, Jesus, and the Spirit from above

The loftiest preference of one person for another is how love can be termed  

Giving us life as we overcome is an indication of how God’s love is affirmed

The church in Smyrna was reminded that Jesus triumphed over death

So as believers, we should expect eternal victory after our last breath

While Satan is behind all persecution, God puts limits on what we endure

So we know that we will all face attacks on our spiritual life, that is for sure

But faith that perseveres through suffering reveals Jesus to a world broken

Love and grace, not conquest, changes hearts was the truth well spoken

The journey of life is in that way more important than our eternal goal

We can walk in assured victory because Jesus is well and truly in control

20 March 2016 - ENCS

Pastor Josh talked on “Changing Lives” using Luke twenty four

In addition to the post-resurrection day story, there is a lot more

The third day started with Jesus’ followers full of disappointment

Their beloved king was dead, so to the tomb some women went

For although to their expectations Jesus death was a big curve

The women decided the their best course of action was to serve

In verses four to six, "Jesus was arisen" the two angels did say

Reminding the women what had been foretold to occur that day

An important lesson is also derived, Pastor Josh did then share

That when we draw near to God, he shows us His love and care

The women were reminded of Jesus’ words in verses six to eight

It often takes a personal encounter to make the instructions great

That was true for Mary and the apostles when Jesus was on earth

And also for us, for a relationship with God is of the highest worth

They shared the news with the apostles in verses nine to eleven

But the apostles insisted that Jesus had died and gone to heaven

They were in a state of grief and could not grasp what was said

But Peter still ran to the tomb, listening to his heart not his head

Per verse twelve, he was hoping that the resurrection was not fake

Running towards Jesus is the same approach that we should take

Two other apostles were walking to Emmaus per verse thirteen

Jesus joined them as they talked of the things they had seen

They did not recognise him and so shared what had happened

Without understanding this is why God to earth Jesus did send

This is akin to us saying that our Lord God does not understand

What trials we are going through or that we feel undermanned

From verse twenty five, Jesus then patiently in detail did explain

The Old Testament prophecies about Him and the world’s gain

The apostles knew all the stories yet the important point did miss

Similarly, God wants a relationship with us to create a loving bliss

Their eyes were finally opened when together they broke bread

Then Jesus departed from their sight as He wanted to go ahead

The two apostles with the others did share, from verse thirty two

Then while they were talking into their midst Jesus came in view

Proving again that experiencing God makes everything more real

For knowledge remains in the head unless in the heart we do feel

In summary, our lives are what Jesus wants to influence and change

To achieve that, our priorities and actions may well need to rearrange

13 March 2016 - ENCS

Rachel Ong shared with us on “Developing a Godly Identity”

She had us read First Corinthians fifteen from verse three

Paul wrote of who he had been and also about Jesus’ grace

His transformation was sudden, which is not always the case

In Second Corinthians twelve boasting is what Paul did do

Of his own weakness and about the power of the cross too

The concept of boasting originated on the early battlefield

To build up confidence for soldiers, like an emotional shield

“Only from the name of the Lord” would do for apostle Paul

In the same way, Jesus Christ can give strength to us all

That is far better than counting on a prestigious family name

A big bank account or job title has an impact just the same

They are mere‘rubbish’, per Philippians three verse eight

Paul gave all of that up to get new freedom which is great

As a result, calmness increases as anxiety and fear go down

And Paul faced human persecution with joy instead of a frown

For knowing Christ allows us to face death with confidence

Because we know eternal salvation His love does dispense

In terms of how we view other people, this also does help

When they offend, we can show them love instead of yelp

This is in line with Second Corinthians five verse seventeen

As a new creation is how anyone in Christ should be seen

Similarly, our self view should not be based on condemnation

Only the Word of God can overcome demonic consternation

So we must persevere and read the Bible each and every day

For to combat the enemy, Rachel said this is really the only way

In ways both spiritually and physically, Christ can us heal

Patience and tolerance become virtues we should feel

The way to stay rooted in our walk is to use God’s lens

Reading the Bible and praying help our heart to cleanse

The disciples cast aside their ‘nets’, per Mark chapter one

Can we drop our nets to follow Jesus as Peter had done?

Then we can be free to worship Him and with others share

When we have trouble doing so, we should revert to prayer

6 March 2016 - ENCS

 Pastor Mark Chew was the guest preacher for Campus Sunday

“Change the campus, change the world” is what he did often say

He started his sermon by saying that campus ministry was actually fun

Fun is part of abundant life, which per John ten, comes from the Son

Campus ministry is also fulfilling, as various pictures we did view

The people we disciple bring us joy, per First Thessalonians two

We heard short testimonies from two of the younger generation

Both of the students provided insights, laughs, and a revelation

The first said that when God puts something into your heart

You must respond and honour Him, for that is doing your part

The second highlighted that our identity is as a child of God

The command to love our neighbours as ourselves got a nod

Campus ministry can get a bit messy, Pastor Mark did continue

Remember we all make mistakes in what we say and what we do

Perhaps most importantly, God’s heartbeat is in campus ministry

We should teach youth commandments, in Deuteronomy six we see 

In order to obey the Great Commission said in Matthew twenty eight

Older and younger generations must work together, without debate

One thing each one of us can do is to pray and pray again and again

There is danger in not sharing about God, per Judges two verse ten

With our words and actions, our walk should be a model for all

Per First Corinthians four, we should imitate Christ, as did Paul

Everyone needs a father, as intimated in First Corinthians eleven

Providing love, guidance, and instruction as did Christ from heaven

Sometimes to be a good father, it is important to first be a good son

Reconcile with our earthly and heavenly fathers for what we have done

In summary, the importance of campus ministry should be quite clear

For today’s youths will become tomorrow’s leaders in not many a year