Jesus In An Age of Controversy (Matt 16:13-17)

Title: Jesus In An Age of Controversy (Matt 16:13-17)
Speaker: Rev. Tan Eng Boo

News & Announcements

1. We welcome Rev Tan Eng Boo from Grace BP Church as the Lord’s messenger to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.

2. Sunday Bible Classes resume today

3. More LCD Projectionists Wanted: Would you like to serve the Lord on Sundays? We are looking for LCD projectionists to assist in the worship services and invite you to become a part of the team. Training will be provided. Please contact Elder Gary Tay at HP 96369432.

4. Worshippers are welcomed and encouraged to stay back for buffet lunch on 8th July after our Combined Service for the 9th Anniversary.

Make Me An Intercessor


Make me an Intercessor,

One who can really pray,

One of the Lord’s Remembrances

By nigh as well as day.


Make me an Intercessor,

In Spirit-touch with Thee,

And give the heavenly vision

Praying through to victory.


Make me an Intercessor,

Teach me how to prevail,

To stand my ground and still pray on,

Though pow’rs of hell assail.


Make me an Intercessor,

Hidden-unknown-set apart,

Thought little of by those around,

But satisfying thine heart.

What Is Apologetics?

Put simply, apologetics is the reasoned defence of the Christian religion. Christianity is a faith which hinges upon reasons for that faith. Faith is not reason. Reason is not faith. But Faith cannot be dislocated from reason or faith ceases to exists.

Apologetics is the Rational Biblical Defence of Jesus Christ and His Word against Satanic philosophies which contest His truth and His revealed will contained in the Bible.

The vain philosophy of the world will always contain these 5 elements:

1) An attestation that the Bible is not the inspired Word of God.

2) The denial of the Biblical Gospel message of Christ’s vicarious substitutionary
atonement on behalf of his elect people which is limited in scope but not its power.

3) The denial of the sinner as morally corrupt, dead in sins, without any ability to will spiritual good, or turn to Christ to repent.

4) The denial of God’s absolute sovereignty in all areas of the created order.

5) A deranged or warped view (or no view) of God in general.

It is the duty of every Christian to be an apologist. Some Christians immediately balk at this, not even aware of the meaning of the word. Simply, an apologist is not someone who "apologizes" for his faith, but rather, is someone who defends the faith once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 1:3). It is commanded by God that all Christians follow 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..." A ready defence is required of the Christian. That does not mean he must be a "professional theologian" in order to have an answer for the gainsayer. However, the Christian should at least be well prepared, or ready to give a defence.

There are two elements to being ready to give a defence of the faith. The first is a thorough knowledge of the faith we profess. This seems almost silly to purport. The fact is, many Christians who have been professing Christians for long periods of time (years and years) would not know where to find the historical narrative of Isaiah’s exposure to God and the angel’s chant of "holy, holy, holy." Or even the prophecies concerning Christ’s death in the Psalms, where the faith chapter is located in the New Testament, or even where to find the parable of the prodigal son. These are pivotal texts that are often neglected.

Secondly, the ready apologist should have some idea of the corrupted philosophies and ideologies which desire to exalt themselves over the Scriptures. This is not necessarily needful, but quite helpful. Why do I say this is not necessarily needful? It is hypothetically possible that a Christian could be so well versed with the truth, that when error springs up before him he will be able to refute it thoroughly by the word of God. But this is the exception rather than the rule. And within the context of today’s aversion to the rational, it is even more needful that Christians have a well-rounded defence of the faith for the glory of Christ.

In Him,
Rev Robert Chew

Rising Above Discouragement

Title: Rising Above Discouragement
Speaker: Rev. Robert Chew

News & Announcements

1. Rev. Robert Chew brings the message from God’s word to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.
   
   
2. There will be NO Sunday Bible Classes today Lesson 16 will resume next week. Reminder: Please See Dn. Jhoon Tang to collect the homework if you have not done so.
   
   
3. More LCD Projectionists Wanted: Would you like to serve the Lord on Sundays? We are looking for LCD projectionists to assist in the worship services and invite you to become a part of the team. Training will be provided. Please contact Elder Gary Tay at HP 96369432.
   
   
4. This is a gentle reminder for parents of children in the Moriah Pre-Primary Junior Worship to take them to the usual Pre-Primary Junior Worship room at 9am today (17/6/07) sharp for rehearsal of a song item performance during 1st Service. Thank you.
   
   
5. 3rd Qtr duty roster is ready. Please collect your copy at the lobby desk.
   
   
6. Our prayers and blessings for all fathers today. May God provide you with strength to be good fathers.
   

By Sound Doctrine Both To Exhort And To Convince The Gainsayers. (Titus 1:9)

Is Christian Doctrine Dull?

Dorothy L. Sayers (1893 – 1957) was a well-known author, playwright, and scholar. She had a knack for unmasking misperceptions of the faith. In her day, efforts to redefine Christian practice and teachings were fuelled by an apparent boredom with presentation of doctrine. In her Letters to a Diminished Church: Passionate Arguments for the Relevance of Christian Doctrine, she countered this mentality, critiquing the appalling apathy and biblical ignorance of those who called themselves "Christian." Sadly, though, times have not much changed and her words are as pointed as ever.

Christianity, of late, has been having what is known as a bad press. We are told that churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine — dull dogma as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man — and the dogma is the drama.

The cry from the ignorant today is: "Away with the tedious complexities of dogma — let us have the simple spirit of worship; just worship, no matter of what!" To this, Sayers in her Letters says, "The only drawback to this demand for a generalized and undirected worship is the practical difficulty of arousing any sort of enthusiasm for the worship of nothing in particular."

Equally startling is the discovery of how many people there are who heartily dislike and despise Christianity without having the faintest notion of what it is. If you tell them, they cannot believe you. I do not mean that they cannot believe the doctrine; that would be understandable enough since it takes some believing. I mean that they simply cannot believe that anything so interesting, so exciting, and so dramatic can be the orthodox creed of the Church.

Surely it is not the business of the Church to adapt Christ to men, but to adapt men to Christ.

It is the dogma that is the drama — not beautiful phrases, nor comforting sentiments, nor vague aspirations to loving - kindness and uplift, nor the promise of something nice after death—but the terrifying assertion that the same God who made the world, lived in the world and passed through the grave and gate of death. Show that to the heathen, and they may not believe it; but at least they may realize that here is something that man might be glad to believe.

Therefore, let us not forsake the need to "speak the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1)

In Him,
Rev. Robert Chew

The King's Business (Psalm 47)

Title: The King's Business (Psalm 47)
Speaker: Rev. James Blumenstock

News & Announcements

1. Rev James Blumenstock brings the message to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.
   
   
2. There will be NO Sunday Bible Classes today and next Sunday (17 Jun). Lesson 16 will resume on Jun 24. Please see Dn Jhoon Tang to collect the homework if you have not done so.
   
   
3. The Pre-Primary Junior Worship children will be giving a Father’s Day special item at the 1st Service next Sunday (17/6/07). Parents of these children are kindly requested to bring them to Church at 9 a.m. sharp for rehearsal on that day.

The Grammar Of Wisdom - Wisdom is a Gift Worth Pursuing

Now that the school holidays are here for our youths, does it mean that they can put they learning on "pause"? Can we?

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 2:1-7…

1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.

In grammar, verbs are very special words. They indicate action and, in one of their forms, call for urgent activity on the part of the one doing the action.

When Solomon piles up the verbs in verses 1 to 4, he emphasizes the fact that acquiring wisdom requires responsible action. In order to "understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" one must, first, receive His word. Secondly, one must treasure those words because they are precious. These two verbs imply special sensitivity and receptivity toward God’s words. Thirdly, one must make the ear attentive to wisdom, paying close attention to what is said. Fourthly, the heart—the seat of one’s affections—must be inclined toward wisdom, moving in its direction. Wisdom is to be sought, fifthly, with utmost urgency, calling out for it, and, sixthly, even raising one’s voice plaintively for it. Seventhly, wisdom is to be sought through hard work, and eighthly, mined as if it were precious metals, like silver and gold.

While wisdom is to be pursued passionately, it is also, paradoxically, a gift. The Lord alone gives wisdom; He is the source of knowledge and understanding (v.6). This reality does not excuse laziness. On the contrary, God’s sovereign gift should motivate the "son" to pursue wisdom with all his might.

Like the pursuit of knowledge, acquiring wisdom has a clear educational component. Yet, getting wisdom does not simply refer to the accumulation of facts. Wisdom does not require a high IQ or earned degrees, as helpful as those might be, for the Lord "stores up sound wisdom for the upright." He shields "those who walk uprightly (v.7). Seeking wisdom in a way that shows a genuine desire for it is a moral virtue. Wisdom is the way to righteousness, justice, and discretion. It contrasts with perverted speech, ways of darkness, and evil that eventually leads to death.

Many seem to think that hearing God’s word being taught or preached is a passive experience, like watching television. But wise Solomon’s grammar reminds us that getting the wisdom of God is a verb.

In Him,
Rev. Robert Chew

Sharing The Faith (Acts 17:1-9)

Title: Sharing The Faith (Acts 17:1-9)
Speaker: Rev. Robert Chew

News & Announcements

1. Rev. Robert Chew brings the message to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.
   
   
2. There will be no Sunday Bible Class today and following next two Sundays (10 Jun and 17 Jun). Lesson 16 will resume on Jun 24. Please see Dn. Jhoon Tang to collect the homework if you have not done so.
   
   
3. The Church Family Camp is on this week at Pulai Springs Resort. Day visitors are welcome to join the church family on Tuesday and/or Wednesday (refreshments and meals available at the resort's restaurant on your own account). Route maps available on request from the Church office.

Fishers Of Men

I first wrote this as a foreword for the 2007 church camp booklet. Because of its evergreen lesson and application, I thought it might be of gain to share this word with those of you who are unable to go to the camp.

When Jesus came to save us He gave us an invitation — "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt. 4:19). This is a forceful metaphor. He tells us to follow Him and He will make us fishers of men. It’s powerful. It’s compelling. We cannot be followers and not be fishers of men — that would be denying Christ. In Mark’s version of this metaphor, Jesus says, "I will make you to become…"

When we were saved, we didn’t think of what we might become. Likewise, it didn’t seem likely that lowly Galilean fishermen would become apostles; that those who worked nets would become teachers and preachers of the Word of God, founders of churches, and create an international movement that would span millennia. Yet that is what Jesus made His first followers to become.

What will you become?

If you are truly saved, the work is only half done until you are employed to bring others to Christ. You have not attained to the full development of your calling until you have begun to enter the work of fishing for men. You are not to rest until you have spent your short time on earth leading others to our merciful Saviour. You do not follow Him only for your own salvation and sanctification, but also to be added to that great company of labourers who are working to bring yet more into the kingdom.

That is what this year’s church camp is all about. I hope it will inspire you to be active members of the great company of labourers who are working to be fishers of men. This is simply demonstrating our obedience. We must demonstrate our faith by our works. "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" Failure to obey will lead to failure in man-fishing. In what ways then are we to obey? We are to obey by believing and teaching the doctrines of Christ, not the ideas of men in fulfilling the Great Commission He gave us.

You must believe what He believed and preach what He preached. If you would become fishers of men, you must be faithful heralds of His message. My prayer is that this camp will equip you with the knowledge and motivation to be good fishers of men. The fish are plentiful indeed. We need only to obey our Lord by letting down our nets and see what great a catch He will provide. Let us not be carried away with lesser things. If we will but follow Him, He will make us fishers of men.


In Christ,
Rev. Robert Chew