![Sowing & Reaping [Galatians 6:6-10]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts116/v4/95/5a/cc/955acc3b-c837-5a21-360a-9fd079916c06/mza_2997741519981402397.jpg/250x250bb.jpg)
Episoder
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
What does a healthy relationship with God look like?
Numbers 7-10 presents principles of closeness to God.
1. Consecration
Israel willingly gave offerings to God on their own accord. They gave out of thankfulness to God for what they have received from Him. A healthy relationship with God will be reflected in our worship, sacrifices and giving.
2. Commemoration
God commands Israel to keep the Passover. It is important that Israel will remember God's goodness in delivering them from the slavery in Egypt. And so, a healthy relationship with God needs to be consistently maintained by remembrances of God and His gospel- in scripture, community, tokens or practices.
3. Compliance
Israel must follow God exactly as He ordains- through the pillar and the trumpets.
We too must pay attention to His leadership in His word today.
Nevertheless, we must not think that these 3 principles alone are enough. What we need most of all is the conversion in our hearts- that we will be born again by God's sovereign grace, and through faith in Jesus Christ. Only then, can we desire and, indeed, draw near to God.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
We want our things to be clean. And God wants His people to be clean.
An unclean people must be cleansed. Numbers 5-6 speaks of uncleanness in various ways.
1. The Result of Uncleanness.
2. The Repentance from Uncleanness.
3. The Revealing of Uncleanness.
4. The Reach of Uncleanness.
5. The Removal of Uncleanness.
So, we will see that all have sinned, and none is righteous, no, not one. God alone sees all our sins, and there is none hidden from his sight. The sinner will be eternally cut off from God, unless he repents whilst the opportunity to is still available to him.
All that points to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone cleanses us with His shed blood.
-
Mangler du episoder?
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The first 4 chapters of Numbers speak of the formation of Israel's camp during Moses' time. God is "painting" a picture of God-centredness for His people.
For Israel to inherit the Promised Land, they must learn to look to God. They must orientate themselves to God-centredness.
What then is God-centredness? In short, it is to be/have:
1. Dependent on God.
2. Directed by God.
3. Delight in God.
4. Dread of God
See how God-centredness is needed in our church and in our lives.
Check out the sermon to find out more!
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The story of Numbers is a story of Israel's faithlessness and God's faithfulness.
1. Faithlessness
The 1st generation of Israelites who followed Moses failed to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief. Though they crossed the Red Sea, were under the Pillar of Cloud, and were identified with Moses, the majority did not believe God. As such, they repeatedly disobeyed God, and their carcasses died in the wilderness. All the good intentions at Mount Sinai, all the miracles they witnessed, all the association with Moses could not save them. Their hearts were evil and unbelieving.
2. Faithfulness
In spite of their faithlessness, God remains faithful to His promise to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. He promised them that in a special offspring from their line (who the rest of scriptures revealed to be the Lord Jesus Christ), God will still bless Israel, and all other nations. Thus God still proceeded to work out His plans to bless by giving Israel a 2nd chance to enter the Promised Land 40 years later.
3. Fulfilment
The Promised land was promised as an everlasting possession. No King, Prophet or Priest in the entire Old Testament can lead Israel into everlasting peace and joy. But in the New Testament, we learn that only Jesus can. Only He can be the perfect Prophet, Priest & King. Only He will lead us into the new Heavens and new Earth, that Heavenly city that God has promised.
Numbers is therefore an example against desiring evil. It is a warning to take heed, hold fast, and pay attention to the gospel of Jesus Christ. May we hold tight to God's promise and persevere to the end, for then, we will enter our rest in the Promised Land!
-
By Brother Hanniel Sinon
The Bible is no stranger to men who experienced feelings of depression.
Elijah was called by God to speak to a rebellious nation.
Yet despite his passion and achievements, nothing had changed.
Ahab and Jezebel were still on the throne. Israel was still in rebellion.
God's covenant was still being forsaken. And prophets were still sought and killed.
Call it unmet expectations, disappointment, or mere frustration, whatever it is,
it made Elijah feel depressed.
In this sermon, we'll follow Elijah through his darkest moments—in the wilderness,
in Sinai, and eventually back to God. What can we learn from this?
We must embrace that we will experience depression.
And so, like Elijah, we can be honest with ourselves and God about our thoughts,
feelings, and emotions. Yet, this should not be cause for resignation,
because God may be working in the quiet and unassuming,
way beyond our imagined expectations.
-
By Pastor Chee Keen
The book of Joshua records the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel.
Their victorious conquest of the Promised Land did not lie in their military might
but in the promise that God will be with them.
What does this mean for Christians today?
How can we know God’s presence?
How can we have victory in Christ?
What is the key to victory?
Joshua 1:7-9 gives a clear answer.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The finale of Galatians is about boasting in the cross.
Paul exults and rejoices in the work of Christ on the cross, for it is the source of all spiritual blessings.
The cross brings about forgiveness, redemption, adoption, the indwelling Spirit and heirship.
Jesus paid it all! Jesus did it all!
In contrast, legalism of the world counts for nothing at all.
The false teachers preach legalism out of fear and pride, and did not care for the people. And so Paul would expose these false teachers too.
So, let us learn about the cross in its fully glory here with Paul
May we practice what it means to boast in the cross.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
True faith works through love. And love involves sharing and doing good.
Those who truly believe will love, and their love for others will result in beneficent deeds.
As they sow these deeds of love, they can look forward to reaping eternal life.
But those who do not believe will not have love. They will not sow deeds of love.
Instead, they will live only to gratify their fleshly desires. As such, they will reap destruction.
This is the dichotomy of the believer vs the unbeliever.
Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. You will reap what you sow.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
Real faith is seen in love, and love is seen in community. True spirituality is thus not isolating oneself, but availing oneself to serve others. Paul says we are to use our freedom in Christ to serve others in love.
In Galatians 6:1-5, Paul shows loving service to others is seen in how we restore a brother who has fallen into sin.
He teaches us what the issue is, who should do that restoration work, how we are to it, and why we are to do so. Or in other words, the ministry, the manner and motivation of restoration.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The works of the flesh are evidently sinful and destructive. And those who habitually practice them show they do not belong to the Kingdom of God.
The true believer instead lives differently. A true believer is one who has made a decisive break from the dominion of the flesh, in order that he will submit to the Lordship of Jesus. When he now walks by the Spirit, fruit is borne in his life. This fruit marks him as a child of God.
So what is this fruit? How is this borne in one's life? How is this different from the works of the flesh? The answers can be found in this message here.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The Christian life cannot be lived on our own. We are weak in our flesh. But the third person of the Godhead lives in us! He is the Omnipotent Spirit of God. We must therefore live life in the Spirit.
Walking is a Hebraism (a Jewish expression) for how one lives one's life or conduct one's life. Walking by the Spirit is to live in the new realm of the Spirit's leadership, and not in the old existence of the flesh.
The million-dollar question then is, "How can I walk by the Spirit?" Should I utter a mantra, visit a holy site, ingest a religious relic, or press a magic button? No. Instead, the answer is found in the passage before us. Check out this sermon to find out how you can live a victorious Christian life for yourself today!
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
Not Legalism. Not Licentiousness. But Love. That is the way of freedom.
Spiritual freedom is to do what God wants- to serve one another in love.
This is the way of Jesus, who emptied Himself and became a servant.
His people are thus also to deny themselves so that we can serve others.
That is the truest form of Christian living- and the path to the greatest happiness.
It is in this giving and serving that we truly fulfill the Law.
And it is in this giving and serving that we actually love our own selves the most.
Find out what all this means from the sermon here.
May we not just talking about serving, but may we be a serving church!
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
Freedom is defined as "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants, without restraints or hindrances."
But what is freedom in the Kingdom of God?
In this passage, Paul reveals how freedom is secured by the Lord, and not by our works of the Law. And whilst we cannot secure freedom by ourselves, we can, and indeed must, stand in that freedom Jesus provides. Shifting from this freedom to turn to legalism will mean that we are severed from Christ, and His blessings.
And most importantly in verse 13, Paul reveals freedom to be yielding ourselves as slaves for one another in love! So, freedom is living free from legalism, and from licentiousness, to serving one another in love. Freedom is not doing what I want in the flesh, but doing what God wants in the Spirit- to serve one another. That's the freedom that will make you happy in a thousand years!
Discover what all this means, and may you find that true freedom in God.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The Apostle Paul has proven justification by faith from Abraham's life in Galatians 3.
Now, he proceeds to illustrate it with the story of Hagar & Sarah (Abraham's 2 wives).
Paul qualifies that this story is interpreted allegorically- he is using it to represent the meaning of the 2 covenants (Sinaitic Covenant and the Abrahamic covenant), though the 2 women are not exactly the 2 covenants!
The sermon will take you through the 9-10 contrasts between the 2 women (& their 2 sons), showing you very clearly then the difference between the 2 covenants.
You will learn how
1. ”Ishmaels" will not inherit.
2. ”Ishmaels" will persecute the "Isaacs”.
3. ”Ishmael" & "Isaac" cannot live together.
4. ”Isaac" is all of God's grace.
Find out what these statements mean, and come out crystal clear about justification by faith, by checking out the sermon here!
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
Paul loved the Galatians. Having explained justification by faith, he now writes to the Galatians in 4:12-20 with a much softer tone to plead with them. He urges them to stand in gospel freedom, and not be enslaved by legalism. He brings them down memory lane to recall the "good old days" by which they had loved him. He points out the "love bombing" tactics of the false teachers who are out to "abuse them". He expresses his desire to meet with them face-to-face.
In all this, we see the pastoral heart of Paul for the Galatians.
1. He was Centred on the Gospel.
His love for them is not "empty calories" sentimentalism. It is rooted in truth. His goal is for them to live life in the Spirit, with the joy of the gospel, and not be enslaved in legalism.
2. He was Concerned for their Good.
The false teachers were out to make use of the Galatians. Paul wanted only the best for them. Discover how we can tell spiritual leaders apart in our day and age.
3. He was Committed in spite of Grief.
In spite of the betrayal and anguish, Paul did not give up on the Galatians. Real love persists.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
According to Forbes, 1/3 of the billionaires in 2024 have fortunes handed down to them by their elders. These heirs inherit great wealth.
But the follower of Jesus Christ also inherits great wealth- of even greater and eternal things- because he is an heir & co-heir with Christ, who redeemed them.
In this passage, Paul shows from the example of the Jews that this blessing of inheritance is not obtained by their own works of the law, but by faith in the promise of Jesus Christ. He then reminds the Galatians that they likewise received the Spirit not by works of the law, but by the hearing of faith. Thus, he expresses his horror when they should turn to legalism (obeying the Law in their own efforts to secure their own justification), which is a religious principle of the world, and not from God. He considers this equivalent to returning to Paganism or idolatry, for both are weak & worthless, and which enslaves.
The Bible presents a message of love- that God has predestined His elect to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. May you look to Christ alone in repentance and faith to be saved.
May the believer find great assurance and joy in our identity as God's children.
-
By Elder Frederick Chew
The Psalms is the songbook of God's people in gathered worship. The songs cover a range of experience and emotions, giving God's people the words to express them. The psalms also help shape the emotions of the godly. The Psalms provide guidance to approach worship, showing profound respect and uninhibited delight in Him. They enable God's people to fully enjoy His care, desire holiness and purity.
-
By Brother Luzerne Cheng
The Psalms is the songbook of God's people in gathered worship. The songs cover a range of experience and emotions, giving God's people the words to express them. The psalms also help shape the emotions of the godly. The Psalms provide guidance to approach worship, showing profound respect and uninhibited delight in Him. They enable God's people to fully enjoy His care, desire holiness and purity.
-
By Pastor Jason Lim
The Law can easily be misused. Many people think that one should obey the Law to be saved.
But Paul says salvation is received by faith, and not achieved by works of the Law.
The Law reveals our sins, but it can never remove our sins.
To help us understand, Paul gave 2 examples of the Law.
1. Prison Warden.
The Law imprisons us in a state of misery where we see our sinfulness and helplessness, so that we long for emancipation by faith in the promised savior, Jesus Christ. Once we come to Christ, we need not go back to the Law for justification, just as a freed man should not return to prison.
2. Paidagogos.
A Paidagogos is a slave in rich ancient Greek-Roman households who has been tasked as the custodian of the master's son from age 6-16 years old. He is to prepare the son for adulthood. The Law thus prepares people for Christ by showing us our sinfulness and helplessness.
How should we use the Law? Preach it. Show people God's holy standards. Let them realise then we are condemned before God. Then point them to the Savior!
-
By Pastor Chee Keen
The Psalms is the songbook of God's people in gathered worship. The songs cover a range of experience and emotions, giving God's people the words to express them. The psalms also help shape the emotions of the godly. The Psalms provide guidance to approach worship, showing profound respect and uninhibited delight in Him. They enable God's people to fully enjoy His care, desire holiness and purity.
- Se mer
