23 February 2025 - ENCS

The spirit empowerment series was continued by Mark Chew

Focusing on the fruit of the Holy Spirit and what it can do

Per First Corinthians thirteen, to use our gifts we need love

The passage also lists facets of love that come from above

These facets correspond to a list in Galatians chapter five

John thirteen and Romans thirteen tell us how to be alive

Loving one another as Jesus loved both Jew and Gentile

Praying for others, even if they have been extremely hostile

An Attitude of Gratitude includes giving thanks all the time

For our blessings and even when things are not in the prime

We should Pray Outwards for our needs God already knows

That ia for the lost, believers, and those who do us oppose

We should Know Our Worth for we were bought with a price

We are chosen and are children of God to be very precise

16 February 2025 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued his “spirit-empowered” series yesterday

Knowledge needs to turn to wisdom, Josh did pointedly say

We are all given spiritual gifts but need to remember the giver

Because God loves us, no matter the gift, we should not quiver

Josh referred to Ephesians chapter four and Romans twelve 

Into First Corinthians thirteen and James one he also did delve

Since every good and perfect gift comes from God above

We should know they come to us personalised with love

Gifts can be motivational, of ministry, or for manifestation

We must share our gifts with others without any hesitation

Spiritual gifts equip us to edify Christ’s body by serving

Even if at times the concept may seem quite unnerving

The Validity of Spiritual Gifts  is that they are given by God

That means they are good and perfect, far from slipshod

Each gift is valuable due to The Variety of Spiritual Gifts

The different gifts combine into one body which uplifts

The Value of Spiritual Gifts is to overcome evil with good

Equipping others to serve and to grow, as we all should

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

7 January 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh kicked off a new series on holiness

‘Holy" can be taken in two ways, Josh did express

It can describe God who is above all that is bad

But many view it in a judgemental way that is sad

In chapter six, Isaiah saw God sitting on a throne

The fact that King Uzziah was a kind of milestone

Reminding us that in order to obtain our inheritance

We must at times from our old ways put a distance

Because God is holy, from the world He is separate

Human infirmity, impurity, and sinfulness are our fate

We all fall short of God’s glory, per Romans three

So were dead in our sins, in Ephesians two we see

God's perfect love can make us healthy spiritually

That helps us mentally, emotionally, and physically

Per Romans five, we have been justified by faith

By His grace we have been saved, Paul sayeth

God is holy - separate, sacred, and superlative

We are not holy - sinful and selfish in how we live

God makes us holy - setting us right and free

Enabling us up to do His good works with glee

31 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh ended the year talking about thankfulness

A feeling we should always bear in mind, he did stress

Per Acts seventeen, Paul said God made everything

That is why in many Psalms, David did praises sing

The SQ App has a function to see answered prayers

A powerful reminder that God both listens and cares

Josh stated we should be thankful to God every hour

For His provision, His protection, as well as His power

We should be thankful for God per Hebrews thirteen

Because God will never leave or forsake us, it is seen

And we are more than conquerors, per Romans eight

God’s presence, peace, and person will never abate

Be thankful to God for each other was his final point

For our fellow believers support and never disappoint

In First Corinthians one, Paul said to give thanks

Per Romans one, he said we help fill in others’ blanks

In Romans twelve, Paul said  be thankful to God above

For multiplied wisdom, mutual faith, and genuine love

26 November 2023 - ENCS

The series on tests Pastor Josh did complete today

Tests exist to help us life lives to the full, he did say

John chapter ten says to follow God wholeheartedly

From Acts two and Romans eight, we also did see

Instead of being a slave to sin, be God’s son spiritually

Instead of being sovereign, adopt a servant mentality

Instead of focusing on self, think of sacrifice physically

Instead of focusing on money, be a steward financially

Genesis fifteen says not to fear for God is our shield

He is our Father whose love for us can't be concealed

We can all be multipliers like Abram, per God’s desire

Believing in God is righteousness, all that we require

8 October 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Mark spoke on “Values, Treasures, and the Heart”

In Matthew six, about types of treasure Jesus did impart

We should not lay up temporal treasures here on earth

As eternal treasures in heaven have so much more worth

Mark said we should remember that our hearts do pursue 

Those things, temporal or eternal, which we most value

Firstly, recognise how valuable we are in Christ’s eyes

His words in Matthew six about birds we should memorise

Per John ten, we are so valuable He will not let us go

As Romans five, Hebrews thirteen, and Luke twelve show

We are valuable masterpieces, per Psalm one thirty nine

Because per John one, we are in Christ’s direct bloodline

Secondly, realign our perspective using heaven's eyes

Doing things that upset God is foolish and clearly not wise

We should all create and add value to people around us

Although storing and increasing value is not superfluous

In First Timothy six, in a passage that is never outdated

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, Paul stated

Finally, reposture our hearts and reorder our values

Do a heart check and seriously consider God’s views

For the heart is often deceitful, per Jeremiah seventeen

So the Lord tests our hearts, in the passage it is seen

We should clear the blockages and take proactive care

“Slowing, stopping, silence, solitude” Mark did share

And in the absence of those on a South African trip

I would add “Pray, Mediate, Proclaim, Fellowship”

24 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “how’s your SQ” series today

Referring to Genesis when Adam and Eve went astray

In large part because with the serpent she did engage

The sermon title was “Breaking Free From The Cage”

Joey started by asking what’s freedom got to do with it?

Per Genesis two, it is a command that God did transmit

It is a daily decision whether to follow God, our free will

Love involves having that freedom which God does install

Freedom is powerful but quite dangerous it can also be

For along with great power comes great responsibility

He steals your freedom by perverting your freedom

It is clear in Genesis three the serpent is far from dumb

Temptation, deception, and accusation are his tools

Then we surrender our freedom, following his rules

We start building a cage with unrighteousness and guilt

Add in self-righteousness and shame - the cage is built

So how then we can regain our freedom is the real key

We must confess our sins, as in First John one we see

Per Second Corinthians five and also in Romans eight

That when we are with Jesus, we avoid our sinful fate

Per Galatians five, it is for freedom that Christ set us free

So stand firm, do not be burdened by the yoke of slavery

10 September 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the “How is your SQ” series today

“In the heavenly realms” many times Ephesians does say

Spiritual forces of evil our earthly struggles often disguise

Today’s sermon was appropriately titled “Open Your Eyes” 

For those with closed eyes, the spiritual realm is not real

Per Psalm fourteen, the fool says God is not the real deal

Ones with closed eyes are fearful, insecure, powerless

Pastor Joey said they are also bold, blind, and clueless

The spiritual realm is real for those whose eyes are open

Per Colossians two, due to our sin Jesus was roped in

Supreme is the power of Jesus, in whom our faith rests

For He is above all, Ephesians one more than suggests

So to keep our eyes open, PMPF we should implement

Pray without ceasing and Meditate on His word frequent

Proclaim your identity and with God’s people Fellowship

Per Romans eight, the love of God is always in our grip

20 August 2023 - ENCS

Emerging Victorious is what Josh spoke about

Following on from the Maturity series with clout

Maturity requires trials, temptation, and trouble

James one says to consider them joy double

For the testing of faith produced perseverance

So complete maturity can make an appearance

Waiting and enduring pain makes you stronger

Per Hebrews twelve, discipline may last longer

For God demonstrates love through discipline

Which then enables us to His holiness share in

Perseverance also produces righteousness

One's character grows when under stress

Per Romans five, we should therefore rejoice

For going down this path is the best choice

Endurance leads to character and then hope

Hope does not disappoint but helps us cope

We face trouble in this world, per John sixteen

But Jesus overcame the world, it is then seen

6 August 2023 - ENCS

From the Firm Foundations series, Pastor Joey did follow

Per Hebrews six, more than baby food we should swallow

In order to be "taken forward to maturity", we then viewed

He therefore titled today's sermon “Beyond Baby Food”

Maturity in Christ is about moving forward and growing up

As per Hebrews five, on solid food the mature should sup

Growth is gradual, imperceptible, over time and seasons

We should grow up in the right things for the right reasons

Maturity is becoming more like Christ, per Romans eight

He equips us for good works, Ephesians four does state

For God uses everything and uses everything for good

Becoming more like Christ is critical, that is understood

The Lord God matures us by giving us the ability to do so

We are earthly and spiritual, First Corinthians does show

Like a gardener, God often prunes us per John fifteen

And gives examples to follow, in First John two is seen

25 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on Firm Foundations

Reminding us that deaths are effectively separations

Jesus is the bridge over our immense chasm with God

We need faith on top of repentance, Pastor did us prod

He continued by saying we need faith to come to God

To Hebrews chapter eleven verse six Joey gave a nod

It says faith pleases God and believes that God is real

For those who truly seek Him, rewards God will reveal

Faith is credited as righteousness, as per Romans four

The more faith we have, the righteousness is also more

Per Hebrews four, faith enables us to enter God’s rest

And then per Hebrews ten, not shrinking back is best

The gospel reveals righteousness, by which we do live

"Faith overcome the world”, First John five does us give

Everything not from faith is sin, so faith helps every day

God will then deliver his promises,Hebrews six does say

18 June 2023 - ENCS

A new series "Firm Foundations”, Pastor Joey did start

He told us to take Hebrews five verse eleven to heart

Paul said that they needed elementary truths to relearn

They needed “milk not solid food”, he wrote in concern

Winning the Unseen Battle with Death was today’s title

Starting the series off with a topic that is extremely vital

In Genesis two, death will follow eating from the tree

Although obviously Adam and Eve didn't die physically

Romans six clarifies that the death is in fact separation

And eternal separation from God is therefore damnation

Therefore the way to reverse death is through repentance

Sins separate us from God per a Isaiah fifty nine sentence

Repentance is also the way to remove consequences

God sees our heart if we repent and come to our senses

Finally, repentance is the way for our life to be restored

As it leads to forgiveness and blessings from the Lord

Pastor then took some time to say what repentance is not

It is not about regrets as they can never reverse the rot

It is not about resentment or bitterness to self or others

Nor is it about rationalising or justifying sin to our brothers

Repentance is a lifestyle of recognising sin without cessation

Per First John one, confessing our sins leads to purification

Repentance is a state of ongoing remorse for past actions

Godly sorrow produces earnest change without distractions

Finally, repentance is a progressive change in direction

Per Matthew three, producing fruit during this correction

4 June 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey spoke about Engaging the Next Generation

They are everywhere, we must not remain in isolation

We must acknowledge that there is a generation gap

But we can still engage if new tools we decide to tap

How we live is critical for that is what the others see

Per Matthew eleven open and friendly we should be

Humility and repentance are key, as per James four

Being genuine and transparent but faithful to the core

What and how we say things can have a huge impact

Per First Peter three, speak the truth in love with tact

We should be secure in the gospel, per Romans eight

Preach with conviction, not caring about our earthly fate

Pastor Joey concluded by telling us what to focus on

Walking in love, respecting each and every liaison

We should be self-reflexive, by doing what we say

The building of God's kingdom happens every day

21 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the series on God and work today

God’s call is irrevocable, in Romans eleven Paul does say

Our vocation is a calling, a way for us the world to impact

“Answer the call” was Pastor Joey’s title as a matter of fact

God’s call is universal for His purpose, per Romans eight

His call is unique, as each has unique skills to activate

Paul was called to be an apostle, as per Romans one

Each of us is a unique piece in a jigsaw God has done

When we listen to it. God’s call is where you are blessed

Per Genesis twelve, though Abram was older than the rest

God calls us to a relationship with others who are called

Akin to being a lighthouse for the masses so far sprawled

Per Romans one, God calls us to obedience from our faith

Everyone confirms their calling, as Second Peter one saith

God’s call is clear and evident, again per Romans eight

Passions, proclivities, and personality are clues to our fate

Your call is not just what you do, but it is God’s handiwork

Per Ephesians two, to do good works we should not shirk

In Philippians three, Paul implied your call is progressive

We have constant opportunities for as long as we will live

Your call fits God’s plans, per Jeremiah chapter twenty nine

His plans give us hope and a future much more than fine

Joey concluded by answering “How?” we answer today

Following what our conscience and God’s word do say

Ensuring that we are always acting out of faith not fear

And doing what will glorify God the most try to adhere

14 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh did speak on the topic of work again

Jesus came to give us life to the full, per John ten

Since much of our time is actually spent working

The appropriate approach is exerting not shirking

In Genesis one, a key message God did transmit

Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it

No matter what we do, to be fruitful we should strive

Since the fruit of the sprit is love, per Galatians five

What really matters is expressing faith through love

The rest of the verse are manifestations from above

Without Jesus we can do nothing, per John fifteen

He who abides in Jesus bears much fruit it is seen

Josh then moved on to talk about filling the earth

In Genesis, God made a garden of immense worth

He wants both things and relationships to flourish

The earth to be filled with His glory is God's wish

That is so clearly stated in Habakkuk chapter two 

And in Psalm seventy two, David said it was true

To take dominion over something is to subdue

The first step is to have our own breakthrough

Per Galatians five, to overcome sin and desire

Per Second Corinthians, Jesus’ love we require

In Romans eight, Paul wrote on challenges of life

We can be conquerors through all kinds of strife

7 May 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey started a series on "God and Work”

A responsibility we are not supposed to shirk

Today’s sermon was entitled “Divine Clock In"

An appropriate name on which the series to begin

We were made in God’s image, per Genesis one

That same chapter talked of work God had done

And since He created the heavens and the earth

He works where we do work, for all that is worth

God showed us the way to work, per Creation

There was order, objectives, and organisation

God accomplished His work, per Genesis two

Satisfaction, fulfilment, and blessing others too

Our work starts with resting in God, Joey did say

Remember that God rested on the seventh day

He created us the day before, this was not a slip

God clearly wants with us a strong relationship

Our work is a responsibility from God, this is key

Involving stewardship, excellence, accountability

Our work is best done in community with a team

Shared wisdom, energy, and resources per diem

Jesus entered our work world, as per Mark six

As a carpenter, he would have had things to fix

Jesus redeemed us at work, per Romans eight

And He continues to work, John five does state 

30 April 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh referred to PMPF as how we equip

Praying, meditating, proclaiming, and fellowship

For these habits can help us to encounter Jesus

The more we do them, the his love can seize us

In Second Corinthians three, we were informed

That looking at God is how we are transformed

“The old has gone” per Second Corinthians five

And “the new is here” with a promise to thrive

But why is there such a disconnect to look into

Between what I should do and what I actually do

Jesus acts as the bridge by offering us salvation

Bringing us back to God's path and His nation

Our life should involve a growing understanding

About God’s holiness, our sin notwithstanding

Burnout can result from always trying to perform

The alternative is worse, Pastor did us inform

We try to hide our sin in guilt, fear, and shame

But hopelessness leads to despair just the same

Josh then focused on what we should try to do

We are saved, being saved, will be saved too

That is justification, sanctification, glorification

Justification, per Romans five, is for the duration

In Hebrews ten more on sanctification is seen

Glorification is per First Corinthians fourteen

How to be transformed, Josh did then ponder

Second Thessalonians' advice do not squander

For true freedom is being what you want to be

Not doing what you want to do, Josh did plea

Per Romans twelve, do not confirm to the earth

For transformation follows your mind's new birth

Whenever we think others owe us something

Remember all that was done by Jesus the King

Life is a journey of letting Him play a bigger role

Directly or indirectly, from the human race whole

Humility means asking God our problems to fix

We must believe in the one God sent per John six

16 April 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Joey Bonafacio gave us a very clear view

As the good news of Jesus series he did continue

He titled it "Our insatiable appetite for approval” 

Our need for justification, there can be no removal

Our need for approval means we continually search

A historical need for acceptance even with a church

A need to prove ourselves can not be self-attained

And a need to be whole will always leave us drained

There are several problems with self-justification

It is exhausting, often leaving us with nothing to give

It is demanding emotionally, physically, and mentally

A never ending cycle - unsustainable fundamentally

The good news of Jesus through the Bible is seen

We are justified by faith, per Galatians two sixteen

We are also justified to be saved, per Romans one

We are justified to be sanctified, all of us bar none

2 April 2023 - ENCS

From Malaysia, the preacher today was Tim Loh

He said Matthew twenty eight we all likely know

But knowing the Great Commission is not enough

Beyond the words, actually following it is tough

He then referred to Paul in Ephesians chapter six

Surprisingly, he did not pray for his situation to fix

Or even to take care of his numerous bodily pains

But referred to himself as an ambassador in chains

He prayed to declare boldly the gospel’s mystique

Per verse twenty, to speak as he ought to speak

We should also each for Jesus be ambassadors

Whether be at work or home, indoors or outdoors

In the Bible, "ought to” is a phrase so often seen

Per Romans fifteen, Ephesians five, John thirteen

Telling so many examples of what we ought to do

Prayer and testimony can lead to a break through

A caring gesture and even some basic conversation

They do not actually have to be that long in duration

There are dozens of opportunities daily to be a gem

For a small move from us can be a big move in them