Episodios
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By Pastor Jason Lim
What exactly is the gift of tongues? Is it speaking a language? A heavenly language? Or gibberish?
What is the purpose of tongues? To draw near to God? To pray more effectively?
Are tongues to be freely used in church?
These questions and more are answered in the sermon.
Paul, in this passage, shows how spiritual gifts are used or not used in the spirit of love.
He does so by comparing the gifts of tongues & prophecy.
He helps us see how building up of other brethren is a central focus for the use of spiritual gifts.
And that is the way of love
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By Pastor Jason Lim
God gives His people spiritual gifts to serve one another.
Instead of doing so, many in the Corinthian church flaunted their more prominent spiritual gifts and despised others.
So Paul now writes in 1Co 13 about love and how spiritual gifts are to be employed in love.
Paul speaks about the priority of love. Like a husband who gives flowers to his wife but who is also cheating on her, spiritual gifts without love is useless.
He speaks about a portrait- love is not just lived in the realm of good intentions. Love is about having the right motivation. It is also bearing the right manifestations. In 15 descriptions, Paul helps us grasp what true love is.
He then speaks about its permanence. Love is permanent, and contrasted with the impermanent spiritual gifts. So instead of lusting after spiritual gifts (the more prominent ones), pursue love instead, and serve one another.
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¿Faltan episodios?
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By Pastor Jason Lim
If you discover a miracle cure for all cancers, I suppose you will do your best to confirm and protect the recipe. You will make sure the medicine is pure and unadulterated. You will share with the world that others may be helped by it.
Whilst we do not have a miracle cure for all cancers as yet, we do have an even greater cure- a cure from all sin! That cure is none other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only one way man can be saved. It is in Jesus and His finished work alone. This is the singular message of salvation for all the world.
False teachers have corrupted this one gospel during the times of the Apostle Paul, bringing the Galatians into a bondage by adding to the gospel of grace legalism or self-righteous works like circumcision. Thus, Paul wrote vigorously and bluntly to remind them of the essence of the true gospel, and to warn of the high stakes of turning away from it when one adds to it.
Because there is only one gospel, may we learn to define it clearly (so that we may depend on it and delight in it), defend it courageously, and declare it consistently (with our life and our lips).
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By Brother Hanniel Sinon
God is merciful even if we demand justice to be done. In Jonah 4, Jonah expresses his complaint before God. He is angry that God would be merciful to a people who didn't deserve it. But little did he know that it was precisely in his nature to act in such a way, for he is a merciful God.
The big question of Jonah 4 is... how can God be just and merciful at the same time? We know that it is not an either/or but a both/and. He is just to punish sin, and also merciful to invite people to repent and believe. He is just to punish his own Son who didn't deserve it, and merciful, that those who deserve punishment are spared.
Yet there will come a day where mercy will be withdrawn and justice will be served. Where will you stand on that day?
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By Pastor Sin Yu Fei
In Jonah 3, we witness the imminent destruction of Nineveh because of their wickedness. Although they deserved it, God in His mercy, sends Jonah as a mediator to warn them, giving them opportunity to repent. If they do, God would relent of the judgment he was going to bring upon them.
Isn't this akin to the Gospel? Just as Nineveh faced judgment for their sins, we too stand under God's judgment due to our own sins. But praise be to God that He sent Jesus as our mediator so that through Him, forgiveness of sins is made possible by His sacrificial death. When we repent and believe, God relents from the eternal wrath we deserve. Praise be to God for His mercy!
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By Brother Luzerne Cheng
The disobedient prophet who defied God in Jonah 1 finds himself tossed overboard and in the heart of the sea. In the belly of the fish, Jonah reflects on the judgement from the God who is just. And also, God's mercy for the undeserving prophet. Yet Jonah 2 ends off with a puzzling end, where Jonah sinks into self-righteousness. Jonah 2 confronts our hearts which are prone to self-righteousness even after receiving the great gift of mercy and grace in the Gospel. The Gospel of Grace (Ephesians 2) reminds us that there is no room for self-righteousness or pride because grace is a gift to the undeserving not a reward for the deserving.
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By Brother Raynor Cheng
We have many surface reasons to disobey God, but the big root issue is that we do not fear God enough. How can we know we truly fear God? In Jonah 1, we see a prophet who fearlessly disobeys God, which results in God's supernatural storm.
Fearless disobedience towards God results in death, not just in this life, but in the life to come. How can we escape this impending death? Only by looking to God for help in Christ, who by His death and resurrection gives us rescue from certain doom.
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By Pastor Paul Choo
The book of Leviticus is filled with Costly Sacrifices, Clean Living and Constant Awe.
1. Costly Sacrifices - the sacrificial animals were first bled, then skinned, then chopped into pieces, then thrown into the endless flame of fire on the Altar to be completely consumed by the fire. This was a type of Christ’s bloody death at the hands of Jews and Romans (Isaiah 52:14) AND unimaginable sufferings at the Hand of God the Father (Lam. 1:12,13).
2. Clean Living - the Israelites were given many rules/laws so that they could lead a clean life that differentiated them from the peoples around them. These laws were given in a seemingly haphazard manner (ie, sacred and secular laws alongside each other) suggesting that there should be no division between the sacred and the secular in our lives.
3. Constant Awe - the pillar of cloud/fire was an awesome picture of the constant powerful presence of God (who lived in their midst).
Our Responses.
As Christians, do we offer costly service instead of convenient, casual and comfortable “service”? Do we strive for Clean living so that our lives “shine before men” and open the door for us to lead men to eternal life? Are we living in constant awe and awareness of God’s presence and power? May this sermon encourage us to confidently serve God and sacrificially serve men. (Mat. 28: 18-20)
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Our final sermon in this 3-month Leviticus series ends with a call to obedience from God. We learn.
1. The Premise.
The basis of obedience is a relationship with God, who delivered Israel from the Egyptian bondage.
2. The Persuasion.
God offers rich blessings of prosperity, peace & His presence to His people if they should obey, with a language that resembles the Genesis account of life in Eden.
3. The Punishment.
Disobedience will result in the reverse of all the blessings attached to obedience. And God will escalate them if Israel persists in stubborn rebellion. The threats turn out to be real, as the passage reads more like a prophecy when one knows the history of the nation.
4. The Problem.
The root cause of their rebellion is the "pride of their power". They will forget God in the midst of their prosperity.
5. The Promise.
God in His infinite mercy will still bless Israel, not according to the Mosaic or Old Covenant of self-righteousness that was established at Mount Sinai, but according to the Abrahamic Covenant of blessing through the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, the offspring through whom all nations will be blessed. Israel (and us all) can be saved if we confess our sins and humble our hearts, and ask God to circumcise our sinful hearts.
Leviticus is a book about drawing near to God. And the key is Jesus. It is a book jam-packed with Christology- from the offerings, to the priesthood, to the cleansing, to the Day of Atonement, to the Feasts, to the Jubilee, and to the Abrahamic Covenant. May you draw near to God through Jesus Christ!
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By Pastor Sin Yu Fei
At the hill of Calvary where Jesus faced crucifixion, two criminals were also condemned to die alongside Him. While one scorned and ridiculed Jesus, the other acknowledged his own wrongdoing and repented.
This compelling story emphasizes Jesus' readiness to extend grace and forgiveness to those who humbly admit their sins, repent and turn to Him, regardless of their past deeds.
Today, just as then, forgiveness is available to all who turn to Jesus in faith.
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By Pastor Jason Lim
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the confirmation from God that Jesus successfully paid for our sins, and defeated death through His death. So how did Jesus die? And what did His death accomplish?
1.Painful Death.
He suffered immeasurably- at the hands of man and most of all, at the hands of God the Father. His greatest agony was being forsaken by the Father at the cross.
2. Powerful Death.
He did not die in a whimper. God attended to His death with 2 powerful and supernatural phenomena- the tearing of the temple veil and the resurrection of saints with the breaking of the tombs. God is saying, "Pay attention!"
3. Purposeful Death.
Jesus' death opened a Path of Reconciliation, and offered the Promise of Resurrection. So, we see His forsakenness leads us to forgiveness. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him, we can be given eternal life.
This message is a message of hope for both seekers and believers.
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By Pastor Jason Lim
Jubilee is to be a celebration in Israel every 50 years. On this special day, the trumpet sounds throughout Israel, announcing the emancipation of all Hebrew slaves, the return of all land to the rightful owners, and the proclamation of liberty for all. It is also a continuation of another year of Sabbath for the land. Jubilee also falls on the Day of Atonement, whereby the High Priest seeks forgiveness for Israel.
The Jubilee reveals the heart of God- His compassion, generosity, kindness- for His people and especially for the poor. It tests the commitment of Israel- if they will love and care for one another, especially for the poor amongst them. And it is important in their calling to be a holy and distinct people in the midst of foreign nations.
Sadly, Israel never kept the Jubilee as far as biblical records go. But where they failed, the Son of God, Jesus, fulfilled. He alone is the one who can fulfill the prophecy of Isa 61:1,2 to set the captives free. Jesus is our Jubilee, for He died to pay for our debt of sin. May you turn to Jesus for true freedom and forgiveness of sin. May God's people live out lives of love!
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By Pastor Jason Lim
The 7 feasts of Israel mark 7 special times or periods for the nation to remember God by.
They help the people to rest and to remember how God saved them, led them, provided for them, & forgive them.
This yearly calendrical observance also marks them out as a holy people unto God.
But from another angle (informed by the New Testament authors/ apostles), we can see the 7 feasts from a Christological persepective too. In other words, these feasts are pictures that point us to Jesus Christ! Come and see how they manifest His person & work in both His 1st Coming and 2nd Coming, and learn that God honours His Son in the calendar of world history.
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By Pastor Chee Keen
The grace of the Gospel is not intended for individual blessings alone.
The grace of the Gospel is meant to overflow into the communal life of the church.
By grace, believers can walk in the Spirit and enjoy victory over sin in daily living.
By grace, as believers walk together in the Spirit, we will also bear one another’s burden in the community.
This demonstrates that we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit together in the church.
This accomplishes the life the gospel creates in the fellowship of believers.
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By Pastor Jason Lim
The Levitical priests submitted to a higher standard in Leviticus 21, for they are to be holy, clean, sanctified and unblemished in their ministry unto God.
Whilst those specific prohibitions are uniquely for the Levitical priests, the principle of holiness in service is applicable for priests of God.
So we see the principle of being "sanctified to serve" in 3 groups biblically:
1. Christ the Lord
Jesus is our sinless, holy, innocent and unstained high priest. His virgin birth and holiness in the face of the Temptation are crucial for our salvation and for God's glory. He alone, is "sanctified to serve" as our Great High Priest.
2. Church Leaders
Church leaders or pastors/elders are given higher qualifications. And they are not qualifications regarding IQ, wealth, societal status or networks, but regarding character and holiness primarily. Church leaders are thus also to be "sanctified to serve."
3. Christians
All Christians are priests- 1Pe 2:5,9. And we are to offer sacrifices of praise/generosity/lives and proclaim the excellencies of God. And in order to do just that, we are to abstain from fleshly passions and conduct ourselves honorably before the world. The church is therefore also called to be "sanctified to serve".
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By Pastor Jason Lim
God's people are to be set apart from the world.
So God gave Israel the laws that should inform their conduct in Leviticus 19.
We see that these laws are good. They are good in and of themselves & they are good for human flourishing, for they flow from the good law-giver, the LORD.
These laws are also summarized in the 1st and 2nd great commandments, which speak of love.
And these laws are God-centered- that they are to be obeyed because of God Himself.
As we reflect on the laws in the Bible, we learn that the Law serves as:
1. A Guardian- to lead us to Christ by showing our need for forgiveness.
2. A Guide- to show us what it means to love God.
3. A Gauge- obedience to God is the best evidence of true salvation
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By Pastor Jason Lim
Beasts, Blood & Body.
Ancient laws given 3500 years ago regarding these things may seem very strange to us.
But the laws given in Leviticus 17 and 18 are designed to prevent idolatry in Israel.
God has committed Himself to Israel as the LORD their God. And Israel must be loyal to Him.
These laws are therefore gracious provisions to help them worship and serve God alone.
Check out this sermon here to find out more.
This sermon will also explore the question of eating blood, examine the relationship between immorality & idolatry, and provoke thinking on how we can safeguard ourselves against idols.
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By Pastor Jason Lim
We celebrate the Lunar New Year here in Singapore.
It is one of the most important days for Chinese people all around the world.
But for the Jews, Yom Kippur is the most holy day of their calendar.
This is when they seek forgiveness from God as a nation.
And it has its roots all the way back in Moses' book of Leviticus.
God has ordained an elaborate ritual for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
It is, in light of Hebrews chapter 9, a pictorial instruction or even dramatization, of the atonement through Jesus Christ.
It is an enactment that teaches the person and work of Jesus Christ in securing our eternal redemption.
Find out how this is so, and what it all means in this sermon here.
May you also soon come to your day of atonement!
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By Pastor Jason Lim
Leviticus 12-15 seem rather bizarre to some.
Why is menstruation, or childbirth or bodily discharge considered unclean?
But just like Leviticus 11 about kosher and non-kosher food, these are instructional tools from God to teach Israel about being clean and unclean, and how the clean can draw near to God, whilst the unclean cannot.
This passage also speaks about leprosy- an infections skin disease.
Leprosy renders a man unclean, turns him into an untouchable, and pretty much condemns him to lifelong misery and alienation.
It is often used as a symbol of sin or the judgment of God against sin, as seen in the cases of Miriam, Gehazi & King Uzziah.
But the narrative arcs of leprosy and even excessive menstruation find their solution in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"He can make us clean" was the confidence of those whom Jesus healed.
And Jesus today can also make you and I clean from our sins, and lead us back to God.
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By Pastor Jason Lim
Clean vs unclean. Kosher vs non-kosher. Lamb chop or pork chop.
Leviticus 11 makes a clear distinction between them.
So what is clean and unclean?What is this distinction based on?Is it still binding for today?And what is the real spiritual lesson behind it all?This is a sermon that takes us through the teaching of "Food & the Bible", and how it leads us ultimately to Jesus and the gospel.
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