9 April 2023 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani shared with us this Easter Sunday

We should understand the meaning, he did say

To answer the question of what Easter is all about

And why we celebrate Jesus day in and day out

Often we keep doing things, forgetting the reason

But our faith is not just rituals through each season

It is based on a a higher power who came to earth

Taking on a human body despite His eternal worth

The world has changed a lot throughout the years

No such thing as “just business as usual" it appears

We face volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity

The pandemic amplified issues, causing more anxiety

Sin in society and our lives is in fact the root cause

That we are flawed and broken should give us pause

The solution can not be a person or a government

Or a process or religious ritual no matter the intent

We need a true leader who has suffered as a human

A conqueror by love and truth, who serves every clan

A sovereign relational being who is a healer and friend

Jesus will never disappoint us, on that we can depend

Christ revolutionised the world, being inclusive for all

Defeating death thus ensuring the enemy’s downfall

Meaningless rituals, Christianity does not in us instil

Nor do we follow blindly, for each of us has free will

Jesus paid the price for our right standing with God

We no longer need to give self-condemnation a nod

About Easter’s importance in John chapter ten we see

He came that we might have and enjoy life abundantly

The secret disciple

On an oft-overlooked man Pastor Mark did speak 

For his actions were critical during Easter week

Joseph was a disciple albeit in secret we do hear

Per John nineteen because the Jews he did fear

From Arimathea, wealthy with a tomb to share

With Nicodemus, Jesus’ body he did prepare

Isaiah fifty three verse nine he did consummate

The early church did therefore Joseph venerate

Joseph is a parallel for many in the marketplace

At times we might operate with a Christian face

But we do not make the reason for my actions clear

Perhaps like Joseph, public reaction we do fear

But when it mattered most, Joseph was brave

Asking Pilate for Jesus’ body to put in the grave

Legend has it that he was then put in prison

But that Jesus freed him once He was arisen

So whether by self or in a group be it big or small

We would do well to remember the pastoral call

At home, in church, at the office, or on a trip

Remember - pray, meditate, proclaim, fellowship

Reflections from a revival meeting

Attending a revival service last night was a blessing

Many in the marketplace about their faith professing

With plenty of time to fellowship, worship and pray

Very timely as well, for it was Maundy Thursday

One person quoted Matthew nine verse seventeen

Pouring new wine into old wineskins is never seen

Jesus did not try to fit His ways into old traditions

As His followers, we must do so without conditions

This triggered a useful reminder in this day and age

From Jimmy Needham’s classic “Clear the Stage”

He sang “Anything I put before my God is an idol"

Doing otherwise would act on my faith as a bridle

Central was the concept of marketplace ministry

Work is a form of worship per Colossians three

So what we do, but also how and why we do so

Doing what is right, not just going with the flow

Influencing others is the definition of leadership

So we can also think of our work as stewardship

Leveraging our God-given talents and opportunities

Our words and actions shining in all communities

Very special was sharing communion at the end

Yet another reason I was so honoured to attend

The fellowship was engaging and far from tiring

Seeing and hearing such faith was very inspiring

2 April 2021 - Good Friday

Many words have been shared about Good Friday

There are hundreds of messages for us to take away

The day reminds us that Jesus suffered much pain

During his trials and on the cross again and again

Jesus did all that for us, willingly atoning for our sin

Even though He was God’s only son, the next of kin

I am thankful yet saddened, as I am guilty I know

This is increasingly evident as my faith does grow

Jesus’ last words convey strong messages as well

Seven phrases from the cross, the four gospels tell

In Luke twenty three, forgiveness Jesus does imbue

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”

And a few verses later comes the promise of salvation

Said to the criminal but applicable for all of creation

The importance of relationship is quite clearly seen

“Woman, behold thy son” He said in John nineteen

Jesus felt abandonment, asking why God did forsake

A point Matthew twenty seven and Mark fifteen make

Beyond emotions, Jesus’ physical distress was severe

In John nineteen, Jesus saying “I thirst” others did hear

The magnitude of His triumph cannot be diminished

A mere two verses later, He stated that “it is finished”

A promised reunion with God, per Luke twenty three

“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” we do see 

I derive a message when I contemplate those seven

A reminder of some of what God offers from heaven

God promises forgiveness, salvation, and a relationship

Even when we feel abandonment and distress on life’s trip

Then Jesus’ triumph on the cross and His resurrection

Promise us a reunion with God instead of condemnation 

12 April 2020 - Easter

As the morning sun rises in the eastern sky

Jesus’ resurrection we celebrate and magnify

For our sins, we understand He chose to die

For our eternal life, He returned to sanctify

Without His life, how to live we would not know

Without His death, to heaven we would not go

Without His resurrection, victory goes to the foe

Without His love, to others we could not show

So here’s wishing a large blessed Easter call

For despite the covid-19-linked gloom and pall

Stopping us from eating out or going to the mall

Jesus’ resurrection is truly good news for all

9 April 2020 - Maundy Thursday

On Passover, Jesus and His disciples did meet

To fellowship, to celebrate the day, and to eat

After Judas had left, Jesus did break the bread

“Take and eat, this is my body”, He then said

Then saying His blood, the wine did represent

For the forgiveness of sins, why Jesus was sent

In Singapore, we are now in circuit breaker mode

Everyone is effectively confined to their own abode

Perhaps we should take this time to fervently pray

Per Matthew six, as Jesus taught us the right way

Giving thanks, repenting, and asking for His grace

And may His love be seen by the entire human race

21 April 2019 - Easter

Walking into a sunrise service this morning at six twenty

I looked around the room, there were seats a-plenty

Then I walked over and tried to sit in my normal spot

Only to be instructed by an usher that I could not

But no reason was provided when I asked him why

Feeling rather unwelcome there, I then said goodbye

It made me wonder how often this happens to others

Who may feel unwelcome by some Christian brothers

We all have interactions with unbelievers every day

Do our actions or words welcome or drive them away?

Remembering that we were lost before Jesus we found

Do we accept them despite their looks or background?

When we are given the opportunity to meet a new face

Do we focus on their sin or convey God’s love and grace?

God created and loves us all, so wants a relationship

The Bible tells us how to pray, to live, and to worship

On Easter Sunday, Jesus’ resurrection we celebrate

To the world, He brought redemption and love great

So in unison we say “He is risen. He is risen indeed”

Thanks to the empty tomb, that is all that we need

19 April 2019 - Good Friday

In the midst of the first Lord’s Supper and Holy Communion

To betray Jesus, the disciple Judas left the sacred union

To Gethsemane, Jesus and the other disciples did retreat

“Your will be done” to God in prayer Jesus did then repeat

Jesus the human was in agony and like blood He sweat

He knew what was forthcoming to pay for our sinful debt

Being crucified would be the Son's ultimate act of obedience

For the Holy Jesus was not allowed a path of expedience

He earnestly prayed for the cup of suffering to be removed

By sending an angel, God’s love for His Son was proved

Strength was provided, as only an angel of the Lord could

For per Isaiah, this anguish would result in eternal good

So as I reflect on this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

I again realise that obedience to the Lord is the only way

And when facing challenges, I may be tempted to complain

I remind myself of Jesus’ undeserved suffering and pain

Knowing that after two days of the enemy’s celebration

Jesus would be resurrected, offering hope and salvation

1 April 2018 - PLMC

Three PLMC pastors reflected on the meaning of Easter Day

As we gathered for service to greet the morning’s first sun ray

Pastor Chris asked what if Christ was not raised from the dead

And leaving us with only Good Friday and forgiven sins instead

Our faith would be futile, per Paul in First Corinthians thirteen

For without the resurrection God’s work is incomplete, it is seen

Pastor Irene concluded that Easter makes our faith a daily event

Per Romans eight, in us dwells the Holy Spirit that God has sent

The women shared the good news, as per Matthew twenty eight

We should do likewise with other people, for it is never too late

God will give us strength, according to Ephesians chapter three

Christ’s power enables us to do more than we imagine, we see

Pastor Jonathan spoke about the heavy stone in Mark sixteen

It can represent obstacles in our lives, both visible and unseen

Whe the women reached the tomb, the stone was rolled away

The promise that God deals with our obstacles holds true today

In conclusion, Easter provides us hope and promises salvation

This good news we should share without further procrastination

16 April 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke as Easter Day came to a conclusion

In Genesis three, the serpent sowed seeds of confusion

Leading Adam and Eve to eat forbidden fruit, the first sin

So the natural question is whether Satan did actually win

Per Revelation, God has won the war but battles rage

God opted for an interesting option at that early stage

He did not take our freedom away, but free will He gave

Even though consequences can follow us to the grave

Righteousness is impossible, the Old Testament did show

For relationship trumps religion, God wants us to know

The God of peace will crush Satan, Per Romans sixteen

Which links back to God’s words in Genesis three fifteen

Per Revelation five, only Jesus can open the book of life

For He has won the victory against all the enemy’s strife

As a result, we once again have with God a relationship

And be assured of our destination at the end of life’s trip

Jesus paid that price but also felt what we go through

So He understands completely if it is He that we turn to

Per Romans sixteen, Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies

We owe Him everything so our actions should aim to please

16 April 2017 - PLMC

As the morning sun arose on yet another splendid Easter Day

We heard a message using John twenty one from Wendy Tay

Some disciples had caught zero fish despite being out all night

Unbeknownst to them, Jesus was on shore at the break of light

“Friends, haven’t you any fish?” to the disciples He did call out

Per John fifteen, Jesus considered them friends without a doubt

By giving them a sense of purpose, God made His will known

Extreme compassion and empathy Jesus had once again shown

Jesus then instructed the disciples to cast the net out to the right

One hundred fifty three fish were caught, a reversal from the night

The disciples demonstrated obedience, in the text we clearly see

And thus overcame familiarity, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency

Even though He had built a fire; bread and fish He did prepare

Jesus asked the disciples to bring some fish to eat and share

So that the fruits of their labour together they could celebrate

Because they were part of the miracle that He did perpetuate

In summary, before we went to eat breakfast, Pastor Tay did say

We should empathise, show obedience, and fellowship each day

14 April 2017 - PLMC

Using Hebrews twelve verse two on this Good Friday

“Death must precede resurrection” Bernard Lee did say

Jesus was the first born of the dead and the resurrection

He rose to glory as He embraced death without objection

“Death is great mercy” Bernard went on to strongly state

As it shortens our life of sin and sets our focus straight

To the “law of the grain of wheat” Mr Lee also did refer

Grain must die to produce fruit, like us we should infer

In some part of our life, we will probably be asked to die

So that we can do our duty and God we will then glorify

God intends to give us holiness, not mere happiness

So we can fulfil His destiny for out lives, nothing less

Bernard shared “death experiences” numbering three

From these, Moses, Joseph, and Ezekiel did not flee

Moses was in exile forty years; Jospeh became a slave

When they became leaders, they know how to behave

God has a use for us, no matter what we have done

For no matter what our age, His plans can really stun

God wants to resurrect that which is in a way dead

To do things which will serve to glorify Him instead

As Jesus did, death experiences we should embrace

Knowing God prepares us for challenges we will face

We must repent of our sin and to God serve faithfully

Letting “not our will but His will be done” be the key

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

5 April 2015 - PLMC Sunrise Service

At Sunrise Service today, Pastor Lynette Sithiasingam spoke

On "Come, see, ...go and tell", as the angel that day spoke

Her sermon leveraged the first ten verses of Matthew twenty eight

About what transpired at the tomb at dawn on that first Easter date

Pastor Lynette focused on an invitation and four imperatives

On this important aspect, all four gospels include narratives

 

"Do not be afraid" to the women, the angel on the stone did say

He invited them to COME into the tomb to assuage their dismay

In many circumstances, Jesus instructed people to COME to him

Per Matthew eleven, He called those who were weary and grim

Or in John four, the Samarian woman at the well He addressed

With an invitation and a promise that He would give them rest

 

The angel told the women to SEE where Jesus had been laid

They were then filled with joy, although still somewhat afraid

Although they witnessed the earthquake and the stone rolled

It was imperative they actually SEE what prophets had foretold

It is our relationship with God that defines our faith, Pastor said

For then we can share experiences with others and not be misled

 

"GO quickly" was the third instruction that the angel did convey

Which mirrors the Great Commission from Jesus, Pastor did say

As Christians, we should never be content to be complacent

We are to spread the good news why Jesus to earth was sent

It is not enough for believers to just their own faith cultivate

We must GO everywhere in order to His kingdom inflate

 

The last imperative from the angel to the Marys was to "TELL"

Our life - and its words and actions - should do this as well

We should TELL others of this urgent message of hope

All have direct access to God's grace, not just the pope

Our testimony of what we have seen is what we should share

For that is how we really show people that we earnestly care

 

The four imperatives are thus to COME, SEE, GO, and TELL

This call to action, Jesus' resurrection should us duly compel

20 April 2014 - Easter (ENCS)

On Easter, the "Cross Words" series was ended by Pastor Larry Matsuwaki

When Jesus said "it is finished", He meant that it was a complete victory

While "I thirst" was an obvious sign of Jesus' humanity

It also referred to what in Psalm sixty nine we do see

We need a relationship with God, as Jesus well knew

The "it is finished" statement meant that He did not rue

The Greek word "tetelestai" is in the perfect tense

The action happened once but lasts for eternity hence

Jesus finished three things, Pastor Larry did then say

Sacrifice, substitution, and salvation all came that day

 

Jesus' sinless sacrifice finished God's plan that had been so often foretold

Per Matthew five, over three hundred fifty prophecies from the Testament Old

To Hebrews nine, Romans five, and Revelation twelve Pastor did refer

Saying that Jesus' blood gives us forgiveness, righteousness, and power

 

Jesus' substitution atoned for our sins, Pastor did say

A very high physical and emotional price Jesus did pay

Per Romans five, Second Corinthians five, and Isaiah fifty three

Jesus took all of our sin and justified by His blood now are we

That word "tetelestai" also means "paid in full", like our debt

Per Romans eight, no condemnation about which to fret

We are forever free of guilt and shame and of being afraid

For granted we should not take the great price that He paid

 

Jesus died to give us life, per John three verse sixteen

As long as we believe in Him, in John eleven it is seen

We should not live for other relationships, career, or money

For the enemy wants to kill and destroy, in John ten we see

But to destroy the devil's work is why Jesus did appear

We should walk in victory and no longer anything fear

And by listening to God more than to the enemy

Going to waste, we won't let Jesus' action be

 

Jesus has conquered death and He reigns forever

His love for us and our salvation He will not sever

20 April 2014 - Easter (PLMC)

At the sunrise service, we heard about "Good Morning" from Gladwin Lee

There was much anxiety on that first Easter Sunday, per John twenty three

First Jesus had dies and now his body was not there

So many possibilities - it was too much for Mary to bear

She did not recognize Jesus at first but the news was good

He went to heaven; she ran to tell others as fast as she could

 

People are happy because "hope springs eternal in the human breast"

Only hell has no hope because Jesus defeated death and all the rest

Per First Corinthians fifteen, He overcame death's sting

Jesus is alive and thus eternal life His victory did bring

Pastor Gladwin said nothing we do for God is ever useless

Jesus' resurrection gives us hope that helps with any mess

 

King George the Sixth proved to be a role model in World War Two

He overcame his stuttering and told the people what they should do

Saying it was better to walk hand in hand with God in the dark of night

As that hope and confidence was superior to any other form of light

 

Similarly, Jesus' empty tomb tells us that Jesus is alive

With worship each day, for God's glory we should strive

18 April 2014 - Good Friday (PLMC)

On Good Friday morning, Pastor Lynette spoke on "Why The Cross"

The empty cross actually reflects Jesus' resurrection, not his life's loss

He died so that we could have a personal relationship with our God

The cross stretched between heaven and earth like a connecting rod

Pastor Lynette then discussed Jesus' last phrases, numbering seven

And told us that this number is perfect in the eyes of God in heaven

 

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing" was first

This referred not only to those who by rights should have been cursed

Including the execution party, the priests, Pilate, and the abusive crowd

But is representative of all of us for sins in our hearts as well as out loud

Pastor asked is it is true that we "know not what we do"

The real message is of forgiveness for all, not just a few

 

"Today you will walk with me in paradise" Jesus did then say

The focus is on an individual, for God cares for us every day

As foretold in Isaiah fifty three, nobody is beyond redemption

If we confess sins and ask for forgiveness, we receive salvation

Our salvation does not depend on good deeds we may have done

But is free because of what was done on the cross by God's son

 

"Dear woman, here is you son" and to John, "here is your mother"

For Jesus' relationships are full of love and each of us is a brother

A true friend would lay down his life for another, per John fifteen

In John three verse sixteen, God's love for the world is clearly seen

Jesus had human feelings and therefore feels our suffering and pain

The cross means that no type of discrimination should occur again

 

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", Jesus cried out

Until that point, of God's constant presence He never had any doubt

But when Jesus bore the world's sin, darkness came and God turned away

But Jesus carried out God's will and paid the price of atonement that day

 

As the cross took a physical toll on him, Jesus said "I thirst"

For the lingering and painful death on the cross is the worst

Per Psalm twenty two, His suffering was real despite being divine

We will likewise suffer but the deliverance will make things fine

 

"It is finished" marked the end of the work of redemption

Which fulfilled prophecies, including from just after creation

Jesus said "it" not "I" so there is nothing more for us to do

Our debts have been paid and we can proceed with life anew

 

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit", Jesus did conclude

He called again to God before He decided to die on the rood

For Jesus Laid down His life for us of His own accord

As such all the security we need the cross does afford

 

Pastor said that these seven sayings will to us security bring

Jesus is no longer on the cross and is our eternal king

And as we read what on the cross He did say

He is available to each of us every single day

12 April 2009 - PLMC

As the sun rose over PLMC today
Pastor Reuben has seven things to say
God is still doing work in our lives
Christ has conquered sin’s evil knives
Jesus cares for His own
Us He will never disown
Peace for us there always will be
Our eternal redeemer is He
Pastor then took a detour before mentioning the last
How is this message going to change me from my past?
As we then broke for some food
Over these messages I did brood