Heaven: Our Eternal Home

Heaven ! Is it our true home ?

I wonder whether we know sufficiently about our true home and sincerely have a hunger for it. The evidence from our lifestyle seems apparently conflicting. It is a very good thing to reflect on our eternal future. The Bible says “For our citizenship is in Heaven, whence also we wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). What does the Bible reveal about heaven?

Heaven is a beautiful place because our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is there. It was the dwelling place of Christ before His Incarnation. He said: “I came down from Heaven” (John 6:38). Heaven was also the place to which He ascended after His resurrection. Luke says: “While He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51). It is the place where the glory and power of God are set forth. Jesus is there now, “Seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1). Our Lord said: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The desire of the heavenly Bridegroom is to make a room for each of His redeemed ones.

The place Jesus has prepared for us is a place of beauty beyond compare. In the description John gave of heaven he used all kinds of precious stones and jewels to describe the foundation. (Revelation 21:9-21.) The names of the apostles were on 216 feet walls which surround the city. The city is 1,400 miles in length, width and height. There are twelve beautiful gates, each made from a single pearl. The street is transparent gold. And nothing will ever destroy this beauty. “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27.) The cities of the world have come and gone. But, this heavenly city will be eternal!

In this eternal home there will be no time, no sin (Revelation 21:27), suffering or sorrow (21:4), no curse (22.2), no death, no sun, moon, or sea (21: 1,23). The old heaven and earth will have passed away, and Satan, his angels, and those who chose to follow him will have been cast from God’s prsence (20:11~15). In heaven there will be a new creation, for we will have new bodies which will have been fully perfected. Heaven is a beautiful place because the Glory of God shines in the city. There will be the singing of new songs (Revelation 5:9; 14:3), heavenly worship. Indeed, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9).

How well have you prepared yourself for your eternal home? A few suggestions to help us: Store your treasures in heaven (Mathew 6:19~20); occupy yourself with Christ (Luke 19:13); get yourself involved in the learning of God’s Word, worshipping Him and serving Him. Do not lose heart if present sufferings and afflictions weary you down. Remember, our present afflictions are only minute and momentary compared to what our Lord has prepared for us.

May the Lord grant us His grace to set our affections on things above. And may he fill our hearts with anticipation of our eternal home.

Pr Mathews Abraham

News & Announcements

1. We welcome Rev Charles Seet of Life BP Church as the Lord’s messenger to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.

2. Baptism & Church Membership class starting 9th Sept @ the Church Library - 1.00pm. A 12-week membership course to prepare for baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership will commence on 9th Sept. Those who are keen to join can approach any of the Elders.

3. The minutes of the ACM 2007 are up on the notice board. Members who wish to have the minutes emailed to them, please make your request to the church office (by email or call Pamela or Michelle).

4. More Tea Fellowship Contributors Needed: Would you like to serve the Lord in Tea Fellowship Team? We are looking for Tea Fellowship contributors and would like to invite you to be a part of the team. Please contact Elder Gary Tay at HP 96369432 if you are interested.

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** Wesley’s 7 Rules For Singing **

1. Learn the tune.

2. Sing the words as they are printed.

3. Sing it all. If it is a cross, take it up and you will find a blessing.

4. Sing lustily and with good courage.

5. Sing modestly. Do not bawl.

6. Sing in time. Do not run before or stay behind.

7. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word.

The Will Of The Lord Be Done (Acts 21 : 1 ~ 19)

Title: The Will Of The Lord Be Done (Acts 21 : 1 ~19)
Speaker: Rev Charles Seet

News & Announcements

1. Elder Phua Chor Kok brings the Lord’s message to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.

2. Baptism & Church Membership class starting 9th Sept @ the Church Library - 1.00pm. A 12-week membership course to prepare for baptism transfer of membership and reaffirmation of faith will commence on 9th Sept. Those who are keen to join can approach any of the Elders.

3. The Home Care Group Ministry (HCG) is about sharing and caring, fellowship, prayers and studying of God’s Word. Be strengthened, be encouraged and be refreshed - the blessings of being part of this ministry are not only meant for a selected few. The Home Care Group ministry is open to all - the decision and commitment is yours to make. Please contact Dn Chien Wei 9221 7823/chien7@singnet.com.sg if you are interested to join, start or visit a HCG.

4. The minutes of the ACM 2007 are up on the notice board. Members who wish to have the minutes emailed to them, please make your request to the church office (by email or call Pamela or Michelle).

5. More Tea Fellowship Contributors Needed: Would you like to serve the Lord in Tea Fellowship Team? We are looking for Tea Fellowship contributors and would like to invite you to be a part of the team. Please contact Elder Gary Tay at HP 96369432 if you are interested.

6. Parents of Junior Choir members, please note that the Junior Choir will be putting up an item next Sunday, 26th August. Please bring them to the HPF room at 9am for warm-up

Of God's Eternal Decree - Chapter Three

Understanding the Westminster Confession of Faith
Of God’s Eternal Decree

Chapter Three of the WCF deals with what is called the “Eternal Decree” of God. It calls this doctrine the “high mystery of predestination” and urges us to handle it with special prudence and care.

The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines “predestination” as a word used only with reference to God’s plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered “predestinate” is found only in six passages, (Acts 4:28; Rom 8:29 and 30; 1 Cor 2:7; Eph 1: 5, 11); and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or purpose of God governs all events.

This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the “secret things” of God. Therefore, taking the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and humbly and devoutly acknowledge that whatever has been ordained and ordered by God, even if we don’t understand some things, are ordained and ordered because it is “good in His sight”.

A. A. Hodge in his Outlines of Theology, first published in 1860, has one of the simplest and clearest teachings on how this doctrine can best be humbly accepted. He taught that when rightly understood, this doctrine…
• Exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just displeasure with sin.
• It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved.
• It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ; and,
• In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope.

Hence, men everywhere are called to submit to the will of God as revealed in His Word and to yield their obedience to it. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

The WCF says the eternal decree of God is a matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel. Amen.

Rev Robert Chew

Elijah, God's Man In The Hot Seat (1Kings 18:21~39, 2Kings 2:5~14)

Title: Elijah, God's Man In The Hot Seat
(1Kings 18:21~39, 2Kings 2:5~14)

Speaker: Elder Phua Chor Kok

Who Is Like God? (Psalm 113 : 1 ~ 9)

Title: Who Is Like God?(Psalm 113:1~9)
Speaker: Rev Dr Yap Kim Sin

Devotion To God

Devotion To God
“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”
Revelation 15:4

Our conduct to a large extent is determined by our concept of God and our relationship with Him. The practice of godliness is first and foremost the cultivation of a real relationship with God, from which, we can then strive to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Our devotion to God consists of three essential elements: the fear of God, the love of God and the desire for God.

Fear of God: The fear of God is the soul of godliness. In Jeremiah 32:40, God says, “I will put fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” The apostles Paul and Peter both use the fear of the Lord as a motive to holy and righteous living (Acts 9:31). It is impossible to be devoted to God if one’s heart is not filled with fear of God. It is this profound sense of respect and honor, reverence and awe that draws forth from our hearts the worship and adoration that characterizes true devotion to God. The fear of God would bring about obedience and humility, and it helps us avoid sin and disobedience.

Love of God: Only the God-fearing Christian can truly appreciate the love of God. God’s love helps us to truly understand the gulf that separates us from God, a gulf that is bridged only by the death and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. God’s love for us is many-faceted, but He demonstrated it supremely by sending His Son to die for our sins. “God is love”, says the apostle John (1 John 4:8). How much we appreciate God’s love is conditioned by how deeply we fear Him and how keenly we are aware of His holiness and our own sinfulness.

Desire for God: David the psalmist of Israel expresses his desire for God in this way: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” The person who spends time with God radiates His glory in a manner that is always warm and inviting, never cold and forbidding. This longing for God also produces a desire to glorify God and to please Him.

The apostle Paul expresses the desire to know Christ as well as to be like Him (Phil 3:10). Another biblical example is that of Mary’s in Luke 10:38-42. Her sister, Martha was “distracted with much serving” when Jesus came to their house as a guest. Mary, however, chose the “better part” of sitting “at Jesus’ feet” and listening to His teachings.

God is full of wrath yet patient; He is a jealous God yet merciful; He is both loving and fearsome and encompasses all things Holy. Only when we understand and practise a reverential fear of God can our relationship with Him be godly.

In His Service
Elder Gilbert Leow

New & Annoucements

1. We welcome Rev Dr Yap Kim Sin of Zion BP Church as the Lord’s messenger to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.

2. Rev Robert Chew will be conducting a 5-part marriage counseling course on every first Sunday of the month starting from 2 September , 2007 at 1pm in the church. While aimed primarily at those intending marriage, others who are interested to attend may register their interest by sending him an email at: robertchew1@gmail.com

3. Baptism & Church Membership class starting 9th Sept @ the Church Library - 1.00pm. A 12-week membership course to prepare for baptism transfer of membership and reaffirmation of faith will commence on 9th Sept. Those who are keen to join can approach any of the Elders.

4. Moriah BP Church Mandarin Ministry Gospel Sunday on 19 August 2007.Topic: Abundant Life. Venue:Mandarin Sanctuary. The guest speaker is Pr Tee Choong Sing from Kelapa Sawit BP Church. All are Welcome to attend.

5. Pr Mathews is on leave from 8 ~ 25 August as he goes with his family to visit his parents in Kerala, India. During his leave, please refer to Rev Chew on matters under his charge.

6. The minutes of the ACM 2007 are up on the notice board. Members who wish to have the minutes emailed to them, please make your request to the church office (by email or call Pamela or Michelle).

7. More Tea Fellowship Contributors Needed: Would you like to serve the Lord in Tea Fellowship Team? We are looking for Tea Fellowship contributors and would like to invite you to be a part of the team. Please contact Elder Gary Tay at HP 96369432 if you are interested.

Paul's Witness (Acts 22 : 1 ~ 21)

Title: Paul's Witness (Acts 22 : 1 ~ 21)
Speaker: Rev Robert Chew

Of God, and of the Holy Trinity – Chapter Two.

Chapter Two of the WCF speaks of God and the Holy Trinity in three short but grand and majestic clauses. But how can the human mind conceive of the awesome God – the One who reveals Himself to us in the Holy Scriptures?

One simple way to put it is to say, that there is none beside Him (see Deut. 4:35; Isa. 44:6); there is none before Him (see Isa. 43:10); and there is none like Him (see Exo. 9:14; Deut. 33:26; Jer. 10:6).

Smith’s Bible dictionary has this to say about “God”: throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, two chief names are used for the one true divine Being – Elohim, commonly translated God in our Bibles, and Jehovah, translated Lord. Elohim is the plural of Eloah, (in Arabic, Allah); it is often used in the short form, El, (a word signifying strength, as in El-Shaddai, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. It is generally agreed that the primary idea of El is that of strength, power of effect, and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world.

Jehovah on the other hand denotes specifically the one true God, whose people the Jews were, and who made them the guardians of His truth. The name is never applied to a false god, nor to any other being except one, the Angel-Jehovah who is marked as one with God, and who appears again, in the New Covenant, as “God manifested in the flesh.”

The key to the meaning of the name is unquestionably given in God’s revelation of himself to Moses by the phrase “I AM that I AM” (Exo. 3:14, 6:3). We must connect the name Jehovah with the Hebrew substantive verb to be, with the inference that it expresses the essential, eternal, unchangeable being of Jehovah. But more, it is not the expression only, or chiefly, of an absolute truth: it is a practical revelation of God, in his essential, unchangeable relation to this chosen people, the basis of his covenant.

Some of the words the WCF uses to describe God are: He is the “only living and true God … infinite in perfection … almighty … wise … most holy” and so on. This chapter also goes on to teach us that God will work “all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will.” This He will do “for His own glory.” The Confession describes Him as “most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.” Therefore to Him is due from every creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, He is pleased to require of them.

With regard to the Trinity, the WCF says, there are three persons, united in one Godhead, of one substance, power and eternity. It says, “The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.

The Bible declares that “no man hath seen God at any time” and it is only the begotten Son who has “declared” Him (John 1:18). “Declare” here means to unfold, to rehearse, or to draw out. In other words, God is revealed by and through the Son. In His eternal wisdom He has also chosen in these last days to speak to us by His Son, whom He has appointed “heir of all things.” (Heb 12).

Therefore, Jesus is able to declare to us that to know God the Father, you need to know Him, for in Him is “all life, glory, goodness, and blessedness.”


Rev. Robert Chew

News & Announcements

1. Rev Robert Chew brings the Lord’s message to our 1st and 2nd worship services today.
   
   
2. The Home Care Group Ministry (HCG) is about sharing and caring, fellowship, prayers and studying of God’s Word. Be strengthened, be encouraged and be refreshed – the blessings of being part of this ministry are not only meant for a selected few. The Home Care Group ministry is open to all – the decision and commitment is yours to make. Please contact Dn Chien Wei 9221 7823/ chien7@singnet.com.sg if you are Interested to join, start or visit a HCG.
   
   
3. Rev Robert Chew will be conducting a 5-part marriage counseling course on every first Sunday of the month starting from September 2, 2007 at 1pm in the church. While aimed primarily at those intending marriage, others who are interested to attend may register their interest by sending him an email at: robertchew1@gmail.com
   
   
4. Moriah BP Church Mandarin Ministry Gospel Sunday on 19 August 2007. Topic: Abundant Life. Venue: Mandarin Sanctuary. The guest speaker is Pr Tee Choong Sing from Kelapa Sawit BP Church. All are Welcome to attend.
   
   
5. Pr Mathews will be on leave from 8 ~ 25 August as he goes with his family to visit his parents in Kerala, India. During his leave, please refer to Rev Chew on matters under his charge.
   
   
6. The minutes of the ACM 2007 are up on the notice board as from today. Members who wish to have the minutes emailed to them, please make your request to the church office (by email or call Pamela or Michelle).