25 August 2013 - ENCS

Despite his PowerPoint disappearing, perhaps due to spam

Pastor Charles spoke on "The Nature of the Lion and the Lamb"

He started by turning to Revelations 5 verses five and six

On the bolded words Lion and Lamb our eyes did transfix

Interestingly, this is the only reference to Lion in the book

As opposed to thirty Lambs if we gave a thorough look

As a side note, in reference to First Peter five verse eight

The devil is only like a Lion, Pastor Charles set that straight

 

God's character is being formed in us all the time

Like the pressing of gold, that is pure with no grime

He wants us to have authority like the Lion

As well as the demeanour of the Lamb's scion

Sin separates us from His image, Pastor did say

So we have to make sure that we wash it away

It is not acceptable to say "but that is who I am"

Just to try to escape the consequences of a jam

We must let God do His work in and on our heart

Then His character from our personality will not part

 

The Lamb by nature has no defense except to run or call out

Calling to God for help is a good thing, of that there is no doubt

In the same vein, the Lamb does not retaliate even when he could

Jesus forgave the soldiers when they nailed Him to the wood

We should also remember that the Lamb is humble

Being a servant-minister, that prevents a big stumble

In that way, silence is a perfect response to a verbal attack

Turn away a rant with a soft answer instead of fighting back

 

The Lion on the other hand by nature does not retreat

Not intimidated, with boldness adversity he does meet

We should have this same Lion-like boldness with our faith

Look to the early church as an example, Pastor did saith

The Lion gives authority to pray and share the good news

Like Joshua and Caleb, being confident they did choose

For a life of negativity leads to a life that is forgettable

But our life can leave a legacy, otherwise it is regrettable

 

In conclusion, Pastor said that is our calling to be like both

As a Lion and as a Lamb, we can continue to see growth

God wants us to use the right nature at the right time

To ignore this calling is effectively a heavenly crime

In our nature, both a Lion and Lamb we should see

So that we can be everything God wants us to be

11 August 2013 - ENCS

Aptly, as we just concluded the National Day celebration

Gerald Giam spoke on "How righteousness exalts a nation"

 

His main text was Proverbs fourteen verse thirty four

He referred to other passages, but this was the core

"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace"

That decides whether a smile or frown is on God's face

Per Amos 5:12, God knows how great our sins are

Whether they occur at home, in the office, or afar

Righteousness is living a life that honours God

Even when nobody is watching, however odd

In Daniel's three friends, righteousness was seen

As told in Daniel chapter three, from verse sixteen

In Daniel six verse five, Daniel of course did the same

Refusing to worship the king, as God he would defame

 

Gerald then talked about being raised high when we exalt

As contrasted with being condemned when sin is our fault

In Deuteronomy 28:1-5, this promise by God was conveyed

Obey God's commands and His blessings will then cascade

This can be seen in today's world, Gerald did point out

Corrupt countries prosper less, of that there is no doubt

Righteous laws and social equality bring similar rewards

Prosperity and growth are blessings God then accords

 

In Isaiah 42:6, into righteousness God does us call

He wants us to be a beacon of light for one and all

We need to stand up in our community and workplace

Bestowing on others righteousness, care, and grace

Democracy reflects the will of the people, good or bad

So about elected officials, we should not be happy or sad

He then referred to Second Chronicles seven verse fourteen

God's people should humble themselves and pray, it is seen

To Proverbs, chapter twenty nine verse two, he did return

If wicked people rule a nation, there is cause for concern

As a church, we need to speak up, as per Esther 4: 14

If we are silent too long, bad things are too often seen

 

Gerald said we each operate within a given sphere

We can most influence those to whom we are near

That is where we are called to advance his righteousness

Our family, colleagues, neighbours, and friends we can bless

He referred to Martin Luther King's comments on wrong vs right

Who said that for a nation, a righteous leader must be the light

Regardless of whether something is not popular, politic, or safe

A good leader must do the right thing, even if to many it does chafe

 

In summary, from Matthew chapter five verse six Gerald did quote

"Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness" Jesus did note

28 July 2013 - ENCS

The “Living on a Prayer” series was continued by Pastor Josh Harris

The rest of the pastoral team was near Disney, not the one in Paris

In Matthew 6:9-12, Jesus teaches us how to pray

It is much more than knowing what we should say

Today Pastor Josh focused on verse thirteen

The words “temptation” and “evil” were both seen

 

He then handed over to Pastor Mark Benevente

About flying in enemy territory he had lots to say

He referred to Jesus' words from Matthew 12:43

That evil spirits try to multiply we did hear and see

Pastor said this should highlight the importance

Of inner healing or sanctification and deliverance

If we replace an ungodly belief with the right one

When the enemy returns, our soul will him shun

 

When faced with an offense, Pastor Mark said

The key is how we decided to respond instead

We can choose to either judge or to forgive

The latter is obviously the best way to live

 

If we judge others, according to Matthew 7:1-2

We will likewise be judged on all that we may do

And if this is the path that we learn to expect

We end up taking inner vows to try to protect

In the end, this of course will not succeed

For only through God can we ever be freed

 

When we forgive others, we help ourselves too

In fact, blessing our enemies is what we should do

Then from Christ will our protection come

He is stronger than anything in any kingdom

Bottom line, God has given us a way out

Of that there really should be no doubt

 

Pastor Josh again then stepped to the fore

He talked about temptation a little more

Sometimes obeying God will lead us there

But only when He knows how we will fare

So while "lead us not into" we can pray

If it is His will, we must surely obey

That He "will deliver us from evil" we must trust

Through our entire life, from "dust to dust"

We must choose between wisdom and temptation

Walking in freedom comes with salvation

14 July 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke about “Livin’ on a Prayer”

When he finished, we were half way there

This series focuses on part of Matthew six

On the Lord’s Prayer, we did our eyes fix

Jesus first taught his disciples how to pray

The same approach can be used every day

 

Josh mentioned the importance of verse nine

For a relationship with God we should pine

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name”

For He is holy and worthy - forever the same

Since prayer is relational and a dialogue

We must communicate clearly, not in a fog

 

Verse number ten begins “Your kingdom come”

To focus on our kingdom would be rather dumb

For as long as we can focus on His kingdom first

Everything will turn out for the best, not the worst

From 1 Samuel 15, we read the story of King Saul

He obeyed some of God’s commands, but not all

This partial obedience was rebellious sin, not nice

Samuel then said “To obey is better than sacrifice”

David took a better approach when he saw the ark

Leaping and dancing in public, the contrast was stark

His house would endure forever, God then said

Because in front of himself, David put God ahead

 

The prayer continues with “Your will be done”

That should apply to everything under the sun

And “on earth as it is in heaven”

Before we get to verse eleven

Remember that Jesus submitted to God’s will

Even knowing that the Romans would him kill

There is no greater love than dying for a friend

Jesus did that for us when he met his earthly end

What God wants from us, we often already know

The challenge is in choosing that tough path to go

 

He continued “Give us this day our daily bread”

Asking God for things honours him instead

We know that for our needs He will provide

That is what happens with Him on our side

Of course, God sent Jesus as bread from above

This is the most obvious sign of His immense love

So we can experience part of heaven from today

A relationship with Christ will show us the way

7 July 2013 - Psalm 66:3

"Say to God 'How awesome are your deeds!'"

"So great is your power" compared to our needs

 

Our God really does continue to find ways to amaze

Just three weeks ago all we could see was the haze

I woke up this morning and saw the sky painted blue

It was an indication of everything that God can do

If he can change the weather in a short heartbeat

Then of course He can help us our problems defeat

30 June 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on "The Code"

His passion for honour and value really showed

He said blessings often result from honouring others

Per Ephesians 6, especially our fathers and mothers

Another way to think of honour is as a value

There is a quantity and a quality in all we do

 

All of God's commandments we cannot even know

But focus on the core, from which the rest all flow

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus distilled it all into one statement

To love God completely is the greatest commandment

We cannot love Jesus without loving others as well

For Jesus' feet move with compassion, Josh did tell

And as we love Jesus, His love will enter into our heart

Then from the path of loving others we will not depart

 

Josh referred to eighties music and the love theme

But "the search is over" since Jesus' actions redeem

And if there is any doubt about what Jesus meant

John 6: 29 says "to believe in the one He has sent"

To do this right actually requires lots of hard work, Josh said

Reading the Word and in tough times, trusting God instead

Instead of cursing our enemies, we should forgive and bless

Even if their actions were intended to put us into a big mess

Put another way, our enemies we should not hate, but love

That is how we can best honour our heavenly father above

 

In short, we should listen to and believe God's word, then obey

Putting our trust in God is what faith is all about, Josh did say

And per Hebrews 11:6, without faith we cannot please God

In subsequent verses, Noah, Abraham, and others get a nod

Remember that if for some reasons we delay our obedience

His response will be delayed, for this is disobedience in a sense

 

Compared to any problem, God is bigger and stronger

David realised that, so Goliath was not alive much longer

This truth and God's deeds we must tell the next generation

By setting their hope in God they can have a strong foundation

About hope, two unchangeable things are in Hebrews 6:18-19

We are to be encouraged and use it as an anchor, it is seen

 

1 Corinthians 13:13 mentions faith, hope, and love

All three are important but the latter is rated far above

If we invest in these, we will receive the eternal reward

For our life's quality and quantity will please the Lord

Then Josh had us turn to First John chapter five verse three

"Obey His commands, which are not burdensome" we see

That is a good way to sum up Josh's message today

Telling us to honour, value, have faith, love, and obey

23 June 2013 - ENCS

Pastor Larry continued the series entitled "The Code"

On a morning where through the haze the sun showed

On that topic, he reminded us not to complain every day

Instead, we should look to God in heaven and pray

For his sermon, Pastor talked about the purpose for our life

It comes from God and helps us to avoid internal strife

Pastor tried to answer questions numbering three

On the screen several passages we also did see

 

"What is God's purpose for my life?" was number one

In conjunction with His will, His plan for us is done

Reading from Ephesians 1:11-12, as written by Paul

This concept of predestined plans applies to us all

Then onto verse four Pastor Larry did shed some light

Christ wants us to be "holy and blameless in his sight"

He then turned to Jeremiah twenty nine verse eleven

There are plans for our future, developed in heaven

This confirms that our purpose comes from above

The hope and protection are signs of His great love

Genesis 25 verses 32-34 Pastor Larry did then cite

We should not be like Esau, who despised his birthright

He then turned to Romans 1 verses twenty to twenty seven

We should recognise the invisible qualities of God in heaven

For otherwise, even a wise man will become a fool

Paul's words were said in love, they were not cruel

For those who exchange the truth of God for a lie

Will pay a penalty here on earth and when they die

We should determine how to glorify God at work and at home

Ensuring that our heart and thoughts do not from Him roam

 

"How do we follow God's purpose?" was number two

Per Romans 12:2, the way forward is clear and true

To the ways of this world we should not conform

The renewing of our mind enables us to transform

For then God's will we can approve and test

For it is pleasing and perfect - easily the best

 

"What happens when we follow God's purpose?" was number three

Nothing can stop those with God, as in Acts 5:38-39 we can see

For if the purpose is human, it is sure to fail

God's purpose and plans will always prevail

We may not always understand what is going on

But when with God, the word "impossible" is gone

 

Bottom line, we should follow God's purpose and Him glorify

In and through our lives, and the eternal rewards will be high