The New Testament

Twenty seven books and four genres of the New Testament

Every one of them is God-inspired with words heaven sent

A group of ENCS members spent six weeks on L two one five

A chronological overview and sharing brought the NT alive

The gospels provide an account of Jesus’ life and ministry

Acts is a narrative that embodies the first church history

The epistles are letters written to encourage and teach

On the apocalypse Revelation does prophesy and preach

Matthew is considered the gospel written to the Jews

To persuade them that Jesus is the Messiah, the good news

In style, it is thematic, didactic, and extremely structured

Effectively linking the Old and New Testaments, so we heard

Mark is considered the easiest gospel to read, full of action

Interpreted from Peter, it is focused on the Roman faction

Containing lots of vivid detail, candor, and essential facts

It equips believers to preach and to endure hostile acts

Luke is often considered the gospel written for the Gentiles

It is clearly the most literary skilful of the four gospel styles

Written to men and women of all ages from every nation

Because Jesus Christ offers everybody eternal salvation

John is considered the love gospel, written for the world

Seven spiritually deep signs of wonder were unfurled

Three reasons for unbelief despite power Jesus did wield

Through seven ‘I am’ statements Christ’s deity is revealed

Written by Luke, Acts is in fact the gospel's continuation

For Peter and others the Spirit caused a celebration

Paul’s four missionary journeys went to several places

Sharing the Word despite duress, thanks to God's graces

James is the letter of true religion, with a focus on faith 

"Faith without works is dead” he authoritatively did saith

The letter focuses more on conduct more than on creed

About practical morality via visual metaphors we do read

Galatians was Paul's first epistle, “The Freedom Letter”

The Judaizers' false teachings were an evil trend setter

Reflecting Paul’s agitation about thoughts so corrupt

His writing style was passionate, bold, and even abrupt

Thessalonians focuses on persecution and Christ’s return

Paul wrote them to allow the readers the truth to discern

About the second coming, new believers were confused 

In the midst of persecution, Paul told them to be enthused

First Corinthians addressed problems in the new church

Paul moved on but did not want to leave them in a lurch

Dealing with issues of division, lawsuits, and immorality

Plus questions on marriage and spiritual gifts we do see

Second Corinthians served as Paul’s apostolic defense

Responding in detail to opposition which did commence

As a result it was his most personal and emotional letter

By sharing his struggles, the message was even better

Romans is viewed as Paul’s “Magnum Opus” by most

Presenting the gospel very logically, not as a riposte

All of mankind has sinned but Christ has paid the price

Salvation is available to all as faith alone will suffice

Paul wrote Colossians during his first imprisonment

To expose heresy about self-salvation was the intent

Jesus became a man so He might all people redeem

Strict observance of rituals is actually a flawed scheme

Philemon was a very personal letter from Paul we see

The most pervasive theme is the proper use of authority

Ephesians said not to judge others from another nation

Akin to Colossians, doctrine was linked to application

Philippians is emotional yet is Paul’s “Joy and Crown”

Focusing on joy and the gospel when you boil it down

Paul wrote First Timothy as “The Pastor’s Handbook”

It is personal in nature as well as practical in outlook

About good deeds and sound doctrine, Titus is filled

Obedience and good works upon God’s grace do build

Second Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s “Swan Song”

A final exhortation to endure suffering and stay strong

Hebrews' authorship and date remain a great mystery

Persecution was faced, not for the first time in history

Christ is our mediator who offers hope and provision

His sacrifice and promises are presented with precision

First Peter can be referred to as “The Enemy Without”

Encouraging persecuted believers in case of doubt

The “already, not yet” tension of the New Testament

Explains why it is important that Christ was sent

Second Peter refocused on “The Enemy Within"

As heretical thoughts looked like they might win

The main points are similar to Jude in many spots

These words reflected the disciple's final thoughts

Oft-neglected Jude addresses destructive heresies

By studying His word and praying we do God please

First, Second, and Third John targeted the gnostics

Love, truth, and obedience are the appropriate mix

“The Book of Last Things”, Revelation John did write

For seven churches, their issues brought into the light

On the prophecy and Millennium, there are varied views

But what matters is how the story ends - the good news!

3 June 2022 - ENCS Worship

A key theme emerged during ENCS worship last night

From Matthew chapter ten verse eight several did cite

Jesus said “freely you have received, so freely give”

That is a very strong reminder of how we are to live

This reminder resonated as it was far from unique

For it linked to conversations held earlier in the week

When I think of all I have received from God above

What I focus on is His unfailing, unconditional love

I remember that He has provided many a blessing

A manifest example of HIs love He is expressing

In an earthly way I should thus be kind to all others

Whether or not they are Christian sisters or brothers

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

Psalm 55

It has been an extremely long and silent time

Since I felt called to pen a message in rhyme

But at an ENCS worship night this past Friday

“I have missed your poems” a friend did say

Pastor Mark Chew spoke about Psalm fifty five

Then that lyrical voice stirred and came alive

Perhaps it had gone into a form of hibernation

Coinciding with the global covid infestation

David’s words in the psalm do strike a chord

He asked that his pleas are heard, not ignored

The enemy causes thoughts that do trouble

Stresses and suffering then seem to double

David said he wanted to fly away and rest

In his place of shelter far from the tempest

In verse seventeen, he cried out in distress

God heard his voice, David did then profess

If unto the Lord, per verse twenty two

We cast our cares, He will sustain you

And as David says in verse twenty three

We should trust in God, for all eternity

Very stressful have been the covid years

A reduction in community plus health fears

Looking back we should remember a truth

God has been with us from our early youth

So as we go forward and start to connect

Let us not God and church ever neglect

Whether at home, at office, or on a trip

Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, and Fellowship

Habakkuk and Prayer

Today about Habakkuk Mark Chew did share

Focusing on different perspectives of prayer

Like Job, Habakkuk did to the Lord complain

He shared his feelings and expressed pain

Looking at verse seventeen of chapter three

Habakkuk spoke of no sheep and a barren tree

This was a fair assessment of the situation

He was being real with God in his frustration

But in verse eighteen, Habakkuk then rejoiced

“I will be joyful in God my Savior”, he voiced

Implying quite clearly that he did speak in faith

Knowing that God is able, Pastor Mark sayeth

Habakkuk goes even further in verse nineteen

He will rely on God’s strength, it is clearly seen

By doing so, a mountain can look like a molehill

As this is effectively submitting to the Lord's will

As I contemplated Pastor Mark’s observations

It seems this is applicable to earthly relations

Share our feelings, both positive and frustrations

Be real with the assessments of our situations

Trust God has given talents to all His creations

These enable us to restore and build foundations

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