(9 August 2015)

Pastor Lian (2nd service live)

It may seem like there's a lack of manifestation of blessing in your life. But in eternity, Abba has already blessed you. So give because you already have, not because you're trying to get. - Pastor Lawrence

Sermon proper 

1) He does big things

Eph 3:20

The spirit that God carries is one that's big! That's His style of doing & giving things.

E.g. God created our minds to be able to process way more thoughts than we'll ever need. 

E.g. God created a Sun that emits way more energy than we need. A lot is wasted/lost in space.

E.g. God multiplied the 5 loaves & 2 fish to 12 baskets full left over. 

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Me: It would already have been a miracle & it would already have been enough to have multiplied the 5 loaves & 2 fish to be exactly enough to feed everyone. Nobody would go home hungry and that's enough. But He multiplied to have left-overs! That's my Jesus!

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Whatever you have, even if it isn't much, if you put them in Jesus' hands, wow!

The tendency is to think, "What can I do in the face of this problem? I have so little"

But the truth is that we have a God that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think.

Put the 5 loaves & 2 fish (whatever u have, even little) into His hands.

2) He likes to use the small & foolish things

1 Cor 1:26-29

If you think, "I'm not much in & of myself.", then yay! In Christ, He can do much in & through you

Allow Jesus to come into your situation so that one day you can say "I encountered Jesus."

Long ago, there was a prophecy that Singapore would be the Antioch of Asia 

Antioch = place from where Paul & Barnabas sent missionaries to spread the gospel of grace 

Now we see, from Singapore, the gospel of grace is being sent out! And we're at the epicentre!

Eph 3:20

Now unto Him who is able to do ...

Don't forget Jesus. It is not us who are able to do

John 2

When the couple ran out of wine, Mary pointed to Jesus 

Whatever He says to do, do it

Don't insult God by asking for small things. Be bold and ask God for big things! Compliment Him!

He is able to do both small and big things.

Compliment Him and have a positive confident expectation of good from a good Saviour.

You will see the manifestation of big things from a big God.

Testimony 1: infinity pool

Testimony 2: new water 

I cannot do anything = wrong

I cannot do anything in & of myself

I can do all things = wrong

I can do all things in Christ (Phil 4:13)

Only Jesus can. It's not by declaring on your own. There's no power in saying/shouting "I can do all things!" But there is power in saying "I can do all things in Christ". It's by Jesus' name.   

We hear the grace message, but sometimes we still go through unbearable situations. What should our response be?

Singapore's 50th national day today. 50 = jubilee 

Lev 25:8-10

What happens in the year of jubilee? Proclamation for our liberty happens

We are freed from every debt & lack. & all our possessions are restored to us. We are returned to our family. 

E.g. If you sold your property for money previously, in jubilee year, your property is returned to you. 

E.g. If you sold yourself as slave for money previously, in jubilee year, you are free to return to your family.

Luke 4:18-19

Jesus' coming was a declaration that jubilee had come. He is our jubilee.

Right now is our jubilee. We do not need to wait for 50 years.

How does jubilee happen? It starts by a proclamation. 

So why is our jubilee not happening? Because in the 7th year you're supposed to rest in Christ.

Rest & trust in what Jesus has done

Rest until restoration happens in your life

Keep resting in all that Jesus has already paid for us to have

Why can restoration take place? Because Someone (Jesus) already paid for the restoration. So we can expect it!

Don't allow oppression & depression to come upon u. Jesus is your jubilee! 

I believe Lord, your death is my blessing. I receive it.

Trumpet = blow lamb's horn (shofar) = proclamation of death of lamb = Jesus the lamb of God.

His death is for my body to be healthy & forever forgiven & righteous

What should you do if you don't see an immediate restoration? Rest. 

How do we rest? 1 Cor 11:26

By partaking of the Holy Communion and releasing faith in what Jesus has done (not going to do) for us. 

Partaking of the Holy Communion is another proclamation of the Lord's death / proclamation of our jubilee. Like blowing the ram's horn.

Sounding the ram's horn at service today

Link: Sounding the ram's horn (NCC fb page)

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PS: Happy National Day! I love my Jesus for placing me here in Singapore! ♥

How to deal with trials & tribulations of our life (02 August 2015)

Pastor Lawrence (2nd service live)

Sermon proper

"Friend of sinners" was meant to be a derogatory term but turned into the most beautiful term of our Saviour ever

God will never turn His back on you, no matter who u are 

How to deal with trials & tribulations of our life even after we're saved / What to do when we don't end up living the perfect life after being saved?

1 Sam 30:1-19

Context = David came back from battle & realised he lost everything dear to him. Family, possessions, friends, friends' family etc. & his men wanted to kill him too. To the extent no more tears to weep.

V6 David strengthened himself in the Lord

Strength doesn't come from within - you can't make yourself become strong by will / desire

Strength also doesn't come from without - spouse & friends are great help but you can't draw from them forever bcos they will also wear out  

1 Sam 15:29

Strength is a person = Jesus

But we need to know & acknowledge first that we're weak

God gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength (Isaiah 40:29)

God can give power and strength can be increased BUT the prerequisite is ...

(1) to realise that you're weak, AND

(2) to turn to Him for His strength. Depend on Him. (David turned to God)

How did David turn to God? By crying out to God. Immerse yourself in worship towards God.

How do we cry out to God? Just cry! "Jesus help me!"

You may not even have to use ur voice.

He hears our every cry, even those in our heart. (Ps 18:6, Ps 34:15 & 17, Ps 116:1)

When u don't know the way - Jesus says "I am the way" (John 14:6)

When u're confused - Jesus says "I am the truth" (John 14:6)

When things seems hopeless - Jesus says "I am the resurrection & the life" (John 11:25)

There's a difference. Resurrection = brought back to life; The life = the zoe life

Sometimes we believe doctors or the reports of men (e.g. school report, exam results, performance review, what others thing of you etc)

Switch to the channel of God's word & find out what God's report / will for you is!

How? The way Jesus responded in each situation is the way the Father would respond / the Father's will. 

Anyone who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9)

Jesus healed all who came to Him = it's God's will for us to be healthy & not sick

Jesus came that we may have life abundantly (John 10:10) = it's God's will for us to be blessed, to reign in life & be free from all troubles

1 Sam 30

V6 strengthened by crying out to God

V7,8 after you've received strength, now you're ready for action

but don't assume on the strength now given to you. Always ask God to guide you what to do next 

V15,16 your enemies maybe rejoicing over u now, but hey! know that this will only be for a short while. the tables are going to be turned!

V18,19 David recovered all. Nothing was missing.

Prov 6:30-31

The law of restoration = if a thief is caught, he must pay 7 times even if it costs him everything

I.e. it's much better for the enemy if he didn't steal from you in the first place

God is your restoration

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Me: V31 "when he is found" Not "whenever he steals"

So, you have to know that you've been stolen from first!

How to know? When our life isn't according to God's will for us. (What's God's will for us? See above)

E.g. when you're not walking in total health, or total victory over life = you've been stolen from. & now that you've recognised it, you've caught the thief and he has to pay back 7 times!

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Ps 23

V4 though I walk though the valley …, You are with me. Jesus is with me!

Start = "He" = the Lord in 3rd person

End = "You" = the Lord in 2nd person

In your darkest moments, you will experience God in the most intimate way

 

Jesus is a rose of sharon, lily of the valleys (Song of Sol 2)

Jesus is the beauty in the midst of the chaos / lowest area

Heb 13:5 I will never leave u nor forsake u

I am the Bright & morning star (Rev 22:16) bcos it's only seen in the darkest time

His Grace is always sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)

Take Holy Comm over a sick person

Tell your mountain how big your God is (don't tell God how big your mountain is)

Line up your speech with God's word!

We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Romans 8:37)

Call unto Me and I will answer you and I will show u great and mighty things which you do not know (Jer 33:3)

What if you're in a mess bcos of your own sins & failures / your own making?

God is a God of second chances, grace & mercy. Look at Samson!

There's no sin God cannot forgive. But open your heart to His grace & love for you.