Hebrews 12:1

NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The great cloud of witnesses is not referring to actual people who are watching us; but witnesses and examples of those who have testified to the truth of the faith.

The Book of Hebrews was an encouragement to the Hebrews, who had left Judaism to follow Christ. They were facing severe persecution. The writer wants to communicate that their suffering is not unique, but part of the great marathon.

The Christian life is a marathon full of hills, bad weather, green pastures, and sharp turns. In order to keep our endurance strong, we need to strip ourselves on anything that separates from God, especially sin. When we free ourselves of the baggage that entangles us, we can stop tripping over our sin and run freely toward the prize of Heaven.
.

Sunday Sermon 14 June 2009

Speaker: Pastor David Chan

Trinity Community Centre, Petaling Jaya

http://www.fileqube.com/file/IYSzoEVt200505

(10MB, 79 minutes, 16KHz 16kbps MP3)

Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.

Ask God For His Timing and Direction

God is God of timing and direction. He wants us to know what to do an when to do it. Psalm 32:8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye." You don't have to live your life ahead of God's will or outside of His will.

Patience will do wonders, but it was not much help to the man who planted an orange grove in Alaska. There is never a right time to do the wrong thing. If you take too long deciding what to do with your life, you will find you have lived it. Time was invented by almighty God in order to give dreams a chance. "Hell is truth seen too late - duty neglected in its season." says Tyron Edwards. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come," says Victor Hugo.

WE need to always apply light and not heat to your dreams. Light always revelas, but heat brings forth impatience and impulsivesness. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105). The lamp illuminates things we are dealing with now. The light directs our future.

Jumping to a wrong decision seldom leads to a happy landing. Too many people leave the right opportunity to look for other opportunities. Seize today's opportunities today and tomorrow's opportunities tomorrow.

Success always depends on accuracy, and hurrying over decisions never helps. Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. The fastest running back is useless unless heading toward the right goal line.

Timing is the vital ingredient for success. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time." (Hab 2:3). There is an appointed time for your vision. Have 20/20 vision; do not be to far-sighted or too near-sighted. Godly leaders have never done anything successfully on their own initiative. They have always waited upon God, diligently seeking His will. Then, they have said finally, "God led me to do..."

What Good is Aim If You Do Not Know When to Pull The Trigger?

21 JUNE 2009

21 June 09

Barnabas P.
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Jun Fhui, Siew Pin
Lydia Sim
Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
Meng Fhui, Timothy C.
Manjit, Hiew FF

Psalm 9:2

NIV I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
KJV I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

David is praising God with all his heart for deliverance from his enemy, giving Him all the glory. In Psalm 9, David doesn't praise the armor, the weapons, or any other aid in the victory; He solely praises the Almighty God.

In our own lives, when we are blessed in little or big ways, do we praise God with every fiber of our being? David isn't halfhearted with his praise. He is full of gratitude so much that it overflows in this poem of praise.

Think this week how God has blessed or delivered you. Allow that to sink in and overflow with joy to the Lord. It's a wonderful day to reflect on the blessings from our Creator and honor Him with our praise.

The Time Factor

God does not care about the things we do not have: He is interested in what we have. We need to understand that what we are today is because of what we sowed yesterday. What we will become is because of what we sow today.

If as believers, we do not know how to sow, then we have no future. Our harvest tomorrow depends on what we sow today. If we are not willing to sow, we will never see a harvest. The future of our loved ones who are not born again depend on our sowing, what we are sowing today. Many of us, having received prophecies, relax and wait for the prophecies to come to pass.

Not so Elijah. When God told Elijah that He would send rain, he went up to the mountain, after the showdown at Mount Carmel, came before God and went into warfare. He then called his servant to find out if he could see what Elijah had heard. What we must understand is what when we hear from God, we must go into warfare until we see what we hear. Many of us heard many things but have yet to see them.

When a word is released over us, it is like a seed. This seed must be sown. We sow the seed of God's word into our womb of intercessory prayer. Elijah instructed his servants to check for rain, seven times, before the rain came.

Why did not Elijah do the checking himself? The answer is that when we engage ourselves in intercessory prayers, we do not look a what others are seeing because it will affect our faith. When we look at the doubts of others, we see doubts, when we look at fear, we see fear.

The Bible says that after each negative report of his servant, Elijah prayed again. I want to encourage you to pray again, for the many things you have prayed for but have yet to see results. What God has said will come to pass. 

Pray again. You may say that you have prayed and fasted last year, last month or even yesterday - it is time to pray again. Do not live by the prayers of yesterday.

It is only when we persist in our prayers, relentlessly pounding on heaven's door that answers come. It is a fallacy that once we have prayed for something, we do not have to pray any more but just worship, bless and thank God.

Jesus himself showed us we have to be persistent in our prayers. He spent a long time in the Garden of Gethsemane praying "Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14:36,39) The Bible says that Jesus spent the whole night praying.

Persistent prayers exert pressure on the enemy and put demands on the promises of God. God told the children of Israel to go round the walls of Jericho seven times. Why seven times? It is because God was teaching them the principle of persistent prayers.

This is the principle believers have to understand and apply. Non believers are very persistent in their pursuit of whatever they desire. Believers unfortunately do not appear to possess this tenacity or staying power. Provers 24:16 says that "For a righteous man may fall seven times. And rise again." This is the principle of persistence.

When we remain and persist in prayers, the anointing of the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we will begin to move, we will overtake those who had overtaken us and gone ahead of us in life, just as Elijah overtook Ahad, on their way to Jezreel.

The nation of Israel was only healed after Elijah spent time in the presence of God. Our nation, our families, our children will only be healed and receive a touch from God after we have spent time in God's presence. Nothing happens when we do not pray.

So what time is it? It is time to pray!

- Ps Johnson Tsakpornu

Isaiah 26:3

NIV You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
KJV Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The mind is hard at work all day long, a powerful organ that keeps your body on the task at hand.

It's easy to allow our minds to focus on worldly activities, places, and people that don't honor God. When we focus on anything that separates us from God and don't trust Him, we can become restless.

Yet when our minds are focused on the Lord and trusting Him with our lives, He keeps us in His peace, His blessed peace.

PURPOSE DRIVEN TALK

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren , 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddle back Church in California

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren , Rick said:
People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond:
In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal.. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay , getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for..

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease..

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.

• First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.
• Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
• Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
• Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
  

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?

Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.

If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen.
But it might be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done.

Sunday Sermon 7 June 2009

Speaker: Elder Sim Say Khim

White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.fileqube.com/file/tSdIqZS200503

(6MB 55 minutes 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)

Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.

14 JUNE 2009

14 June 09

CM: Dr Siow KW
WL: Terry C.
BU: Colleen, Lareina, Richard
P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
G: Darren
D: Ken Fhui
LCD: Moses Tan, Tian Sia
PA: Hiew FF, Tom C.

The 23rd Channel

The 23rd Channel

The TV set is my shepherd. My spiritual growth shall want.

It makes me to sit down and do nothing for His name’s sake, because it requireth all my spare time. It keepeth me from doing my duty as a Christian because it presenteth so many shows that I must see.

It restoreth my knowledge of the things of the world, and keepeth me from the study of God’s Word. It leadeth me in paths of failing to attend the evening services, and doing nothing in the Kingdom of God.

Yea, though I live to be a hundred, I shall keep on viewing my TV as long as it will work, for it is my closest companion. Its sound and its picture, they comfort me.

It presenteth entertainment before me, and keepeth me from doing important things with my family. It fills my head with ideas which differ from those set forth in the Word of God.

Surely, no good thing will come of my life, because my TV offereth no good time to do the will of God thus I will dwell in the place of the Devil and his angels forever

7 JUNE 2009

• CM: Liong KC
  
• WL: Foong Yee
  
• BU: Richard, Colleen, Peggy Tan
  
• P/K: Grace Lee, Jocelyn Lee
  
• G: Anna Sim
  
• D: Kai Yew
  
• LCD: Moses Tan, Tian Sia
  
• PA: Tommy Q., Tom C.
  

Sunday Sermon 31 May 2009

Speaker: Rev. Sandy Haverfield

Gateway Life Centre, New Zealand

http://www.fileqube.com/file/jidLOa200344

(135 minutes 15MB Mono 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)

Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.

The Time Factor

When Elisha's servant, Gehazi took two talents of silver and a similar number of changes of garments by deception from a grateful Naaman who had just been healed of leprosy, Elisha confronted Gehazi thus, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing? (2 King 5:20-26)

He question the Lord is asking us today is "What time is it?"We have to understand that life is made up of times and seasons. Anyone who desires to be successful must understand this. God does not do anything except according to His set times and seasons. The God we serve is a God of plan, God of purpose, a well-organised God. The Bible tells us all things were predestined by God from the beginning and He determines the things that are to come.

God's times and seasons are not governed by clocks or calendars. His times and seasons are determined by understanding and revelation. If we want to know what God's time and season is, we must have a revelation, we can then move into a new dimension. Where there is no understanding or revelation, we are left behind.

Just as Elisha asked his servant, "What time is it? Is it time to go after money? Is it time for lying or cheating?" We need to ask ourselves "What time is it, in our lives and in this nation?" When we have understanding and revelation of times, we will then know what to do, like the children of Issachar who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do.

As we look around us today, we see wars, sickness and diseases everywhere. The spirit of death is on the rampage, confusion and chaos reign, and there seems to be no solution at all.

Beloved, we are living in times and seasons when men ought to rise up, lift their hands to God in heaven and call for divine intervention, for God to rise and to have mercy on us, because the times that we are living is now evil.

What time is it?
It is time for us, our families, our nation to receive healing. Healing will only come when we rise up and lift up our hands to heaven. "If My people who are called by my Nmae will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14)

What time is it?
It is time to call upon the Name of the Lord, to call on our God to intervene in the affairs of men. God will not interfere in the affairs of His people if they do not invite Him. If we flow with the times of God, we must be flexible for God will always change our direction, and even location, especially when we are getting closer to our destinies. God changes times and seasons and situations.

Some of us are so set in our ways and our thinking. We refuse to respond to the changes God brings our way. We want to remain in our comfort zone and yet continue to believe God for breakthroughs.

There can be no breakthroughs without changes. The reasons why some of us do not get breakthrough is because we persist in doing the same things we have been doing for a long time. The matter is very simple; no change, no breakthrough.

Elijah was a man who knew the times and seasons of GOd. He understood that he must be flexible in the hands of God and allow God to direct his ways. And so he responded to God's instructions for him to go wherever God directed him to go.

The Bible says that Elijah was a man just like us, yet he was able to lock up the reservoirs of heaven for 3 1/2 years. The whole economy of Israel, which was agriculture based, collapsed. It is surprising then that Ahab and his evil spouse, Jezebel, hunted for him with a vengeance?

He was a man who knew God's times and seasons. He moved when God told him to move, from Kerith Ravine where he could drink from the waters and ravens brought him bread and meat in the mornings and the evenings, to the famine-stricken city of Zerephath, where a widow provided food for him, according to God's promise.

Elijah was able to take on the 450 prophets of Baal and emerge victorious because he was in the will of God, championing the cause of God. When we understand, accept and flow with the times and seasons of God, we are empowered with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is difficult for men to resist us and even the enemy cannot touch us.

It is time God's people know what time it is now.

- Ps John Tsakpornu

At the WFA Hospitality Room

Mother's Day 2009

Youth & Young Adults Meeting

Dear all.

Please be aware of the above-mentioned meeting.
This is for all Youth & Young Adults
Parents are encouraged to come to be kept up to date about the direction for these two very precious and important ministries.

The meeting will cover the following areas of concern:
1. Improving & developing approaches to reach out to the Youth & Young Adults in the church
2. Reaching out to the new or visiting youth & young adults
3. Getting everyone involved

Kindly be informed of the details:
Date : 30 May 2009
Day : Saturday
Time : 6.30pm (after worship practice)
Venue : WFA Hospitality Room
*Dinner is provided*

RSVP: 24 May 2009 (Sunday) - please reply/respond to the invites sent out

The church leadership is very concerned about the development and well-being of the future leaders who are yet to be groomed in these ministries.

Do join us in our efforts to strengthen these ministries.

With regards & best wishes.

Say-Khim Sim
~Building Godly Family Relationships ~

31 MAY 2009

• CM: Caleb R.
  
• WL: Shankar R
  
• BU: Gigi Lim, Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• P/K: Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
  
• G: Ken Fhui
  
• D: Darren
• LCD: Jocelyn Lee, Eddie Siow
  
• PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
  

Sunday Sermon 24 May 2009

Speaker: Pastor Christopher & Grace Dan
Holy Fire Ministries, KL

http://www.fileqube.com/file/MNyospdCE198235
( 89 minutes, 10MB MP3 16Khz 16Kbps )

Winning The Heart of The King

The book of Esther is a marvelous story of love, compassion and hope. It is an amazing story of how a young peasant girl won the heart of the king, and how God, through a set of circumstances, sovereignly brought great deliverance to a whole nation.

The story of Esther features, amongst many things, a spectacular beauty contest. Hundreds of beautiful young girls were paraded before the king, a mighty and powerful ruler, in his palace. The royal palace, as describe in Esther 1:6,7 was opulent and ostentatious.

There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen, and purple on silver rods of marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver in a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.

And they served drinks of golden vessels, each vessels being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king.

Needless to say, most of these young girls would have been overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of the palace settings.

Have you ever wondered what it was that set Esther apart from all the other beautiful girls, for the king of choose her as a queen?

I believe that Esther won the heart of the king. She did not look at the gold or silver but say His heart. She desired him only and he was won over.

God is tugging at our hearts today. He wants us to look within and question our motive. Did we come to church just to hear a well-preached sermon? Did we come to church to make ourselves feel better? Did we come to church to receive something?

What are we after? Are we after the palace of all His provisions or are we, like Esther, after His presence?

The Lord today is seeking for a people who are more interested in touching His heart rather than desiring the splendor of His kingdom.

Today we need to say, "Lord, forgive me for wanting only what You can do for me. Lord put it in my heart to want You."

Many of us have been side-traced and distracted by our many wants and desires.. If we observe carefully, we will notice that many countries which have been tremendously blessed, have forgotten about God. They have beautiful, impressive churches of Gothic design but God is not there. They fell in love with the beauty and splendour of the palace, instead of falling in love with Him.

Today, God wants to do great things in this nation. Pray for leadership of this nation, for God to change and turn their hearts towards God. Pray that God will open their hearts as we cry out to the Lord.

O God, teach us, show us how to fall in love with You again. We need You to turn us from mere spectators into worshippers. Lord will our mouths and hearts with worship. There is none like You, for You and You alone are worthy of our praise.

24 MAY 2009

• CM: Barnabas P
  
• WL: Peggy Tan
  
• BU: Hong Lu, Siew Pin, Nicholas
  
• P/K: Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
  
• G: Terry Choong
  
• D: Anna Sim
  
• LCD: Moses Tan, Joycelyn Choong
  
• PA: Tom C., Tommy Quek
  

From Grave To Glory

Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?" - John 11:39-40

My beloved child of God, I urge you to take away the stone. Do not think it is impossible to break away from any sin or evil habit. God's grace is sufficient for you. What God requires of you is contrite heart that will sincerely confess all your sins and determine never to go into sin again. Ask Jesus to come into your life and He will make you a new creature.

After removing the stone, a simple prayer of faith will transform you and you will never be the same again. The removal of the stone leads to glory. What happened after the stone over Lazarus' sepulcher was removed clearly speaks of what will happen today if you will also remove the stone. "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His yes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now then He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Loose him, and let him go' " (John 11:41-44).

In our crusades, as well as on Sunday and Wednesday services, we have seen numerous people healed of their sickness and disease. These great miracles happened because the stone of faithlessness, doubts and unbelief have been removed.

We have received numerous letters of testimonies, appreciation and encouragement from people whose lives have been touched, healed, transformed and restored in our different services after being prayed for, because the stone which kept them in darkness has been rolled away, the chain has been broken, the fetters have been destroyed and the shackles have been done away with.

These are the things that will happen when you remove the stone. This is the path of glory. Remove your stone today and you will see God transpose you from grave to glory in Jesus' name.

- Daniel O.C

Sunday Sermon 17 May 2009

Speaker: Dr. Siow Khim Woon
White Fields Assembly, Seremban

http://www.fileqube.com/file/cqctCHckb197519
(49 minutes 16Kbps 16KHz 6MB MP3)
-

Youth & Young Adults Meeting

Dear all.

Please be aware of the above-mentioned meeting.
This is for all Youth & Young Adults
Parents are encouraged to come to be kept up to date about the direction for these two very precious and important ministries.

The meeting will cover the following areas of concern:
1. Improving & developing approaches to reach out to the Youth & Young Adults in the church
2. Reaching out to the new or visiting youth & young adults
3. Getting everyone involved

Kindly be informed of the details:
Date : 30 May 2009
Day : Saturday
Time : 6.30pm (after worship practice)
Venue : WFA Hospitality Room
*Dinner is provided*

RSVP: 24 May 2009 (Sunday) - please reply/respond to the invites sent out

The church leadership is very concerned about the development and well-being of the future leaders who are yet to be groomed in these ministries.

Do join us in our efforts to strengthen these ministries.

With regards & best wishes.

Say-Khim Sim
~Building Godly Family Relationships ~

17 MAY 2009

• CM: Dr. Siow KW
  
• WL: Kai Yew
  
• BU: Richard, Colleen, Peggy Tan
  
• P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
  
• G: Darren
  
• D: Nicholas Teh
  
• LCD: Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• PA: Hiew FF, Manjit Singh
  

Youth & Young Adults Meeting

Dear all.

Please be aware of the above-mentioned meeting.
This is for all Youth & Young Adults
Parents are encouraged to come to be kept up to date about the direction for these two very precious and important ministries.

The meeting will cover the following areas of concern:
1. Improving & developing approaches to reach out to the Youth & Young Adults in the church
2. Reaching out to the new or visiting youth & young adults
3. Getting everyone involved

Kindly be informed of the details:
Date : 30 May 2009
Day : Saturday
Time : 6.30pm (after worship practice)
Venue : WFA Hospitality Room
*Dinner is provided*

RSVP: 24 May 2009 (Sunday) - please reply/respond to the invites sent out

The church leadership is very concerned about the development and well-being of the future leaders who are yet to be groomed in these ministries.

Do join us in our efforts to strengthen these ministries.

With regards & best wishes.

Say-Khim Sim
~Building Godly Family Relationships ~

Mum's Prayer

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day
With little time to stop and pray
For life's been anything but calm
Since you called on me to be a mum

Running errands, matching socks
Building dreams with building blocks
Cooking, cleaning and finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose

Fitting lids on bottled bugs
Wiping tears and giving hugs
A stack of last weeks' mail to read
So where's the quiet time to read?

Yet when I steal a minute, Lord
Just at the sink or ironing board
To ask the blessings of Your grace
I see then, in my small one's face

That You have blessed me all the while
And I stop to kiss that precious smile.

"A mother holds the children's hands a while, their hearts forever."
.

Sunday Sermon 10 May 2009

Speaker: Pastor Lydia Karthigasu
The Tabernacle, Seremban

http://www.fileqube.com/file/xJBBkx195410
(16Khz 16Kbps 48 minutes 6Mb MP3)
.

Special Prayer Meeting

Speaker: Howard Willard
Evangelist, Australia

http://www.fileqube.com/file/EIEjesvN195416
( 98minutes 16Khz 16Kbps 11MB MP3 )
.

WFA Family Prayer

10 MAY 2009

• CM: Liong KC
  
• WL: Terry Choong
  
• BU: Gigi Li, Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• P/K: Grace Lee, Jocelyn Lee
  
• G: Anna Sim
  
• D: Jaemy Choong
  
• LCD: Ken Fhui, Eric Siow
  
• PA: Tommy Quek, Tom C.
  

Sunday Sermon 3 May 2009

Speaker: Rev. Isaac Yim

http://www.fileqube.com/file/aMQLeSpe195250
( 6MB 48 minutes 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)

From Grave To Glory

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consideration also abounds through Christ. - 2 Corinthians 1:5-6

The Path to Glory
This is the nature of the contemporary 'grave' experience, and it is amazing to know that God can transpose any sincere seeker from a 'grave' experience to a 'glory' experience. 'Grave' experiences cause a lot of weeping, mourning and sorrow. Just like Martha, Mary and the Jews, the grave experience weights the heart down and dampens life. But glory be to God in the highest that at last, God through Jesus Christ translated Lazarus from grave to glory. The path to glory is vital to everyone on this planet earth and I am sure, you would also like to know the path that leads from grave to glory.

Jesus came to the sepulcher or grave of Lazarus and instructed the people there to remove the stone. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." (John 11:39). The stone must be taken away before you can be ushered into the glory of God's powerful miracle. The people by the sepulcher of Lazarus moved the stone and one of the greatest miracle in the Bible followed: a four-day-old dead man rose up from the grave.

By divine appointment and direction, this also is the charge and instruction of Jesus the Saviour to you today if you want to get out of the grave and proceed to glory.

However, you must first remove the stone that is blocking your way. In our contemporary times, the stone is not the kind of physical stone put over the sepulcher of Lazarus. The 'stone' here is the hindrance across your path to glory. The 'stone' is the habit or practice that keeps you away from God's presence. It is the lifestyle that makes it possible for you to have a living relationship with Jesus. At times, the stone is your unbelief or lack of faith in the promises of God. The stone is your disposition towards Christ, His servants and His word. And God says you must take away the stone.

You need to understand that neither God nor Jesus Christ will remove that stone for you. You must do it yourself. You must remove the stone of sin and evil habits and watch God transform your life from the grave into His glory.

If the stone of immorality, adultery, fornication, gossiping, backbiting, drunkenness, lewdness, greed, jealousy and unbelief are still in your life, attaining God's glory will simply remain a dream in your life. Therefore, obey the Word of God today for your redemption.

He that has ears let him hear what the Holy Spirit speaks to the Body of Christ.

No storm can sink a ship which Christ commands.

- Daniel O.C

3 MAY 2009

• CM: Caleb R.
  
• WL: Peter Long
  
• BU: Hong Lu, Siew Pin, Nicholas
  
• P/K: Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
  
• G: Ken Fhui
  
• D: Darren
• LCD: Anna Sim, Joycelyn Choong
  
• PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
  

Sunday Sermon 26 April 2009

Speaker: Pastor Alex Tan
The Acts Church, Subang

http://www.fileqube.com/file/kIAQfyDD192174
( 70 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 8MB MP3)
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From Grave To Glory

Beloved do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. - 1 Peter 4:12-13.

It is common knowledge that ever living person detests the grave, but everybody desires God's glory. The grave is a picture of the lowest place you could ever be at, while God's glory is the picture of the highest place you could ever find yourself. From grave to glory means from the lowest point in life to the highest point. If you are at the most discouraging point of your life, God can take you out of that point and transpose you to the highest level. Though the grave looks like a permanent position of hopelessness, God is able to change it.

Lazarus' story tells us the possibility of this glorious transformation from grave to glory. "Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Marth" (John 11:1). Lazarus eventually died and was laid in a grave. Jesus had been sent for while he was sick. But by God's design, Jesus got there four days later after Lazarus had been buried. He went to the grave where Lazarus was laid and said, "Take away the stone." But Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to Jesus, "Lord by this time he stinks, for he had been dead four days. (John 11:39).

From this passage, we can see that a friend of Jesus, Lazarus, was in the grave. Jesus saw the sorrow, sadness, predicament and agony of Martha and Mary. Lazarus was helpless. His condition was hopeless and impossible in human terms. He had been dead for four days and laid in the grave. His relatives had lost all hope, but Jesus did not see Lazarus as one who would permanently remain in the grave.

The Danger of The Grave
The scriptural situation, by interpretation and pratical illustration, speaks to every person. We all have our grave experiences. We, occasionally or at certain times througout our lifetime, live wit the danger of the grave. Extreme case of poverty and lack of money, no job, no basic daily meals, no clothing and perhaps no shelter are more or less 'grave' experiences.

At times, a marriage may find itself in a 'grave' experience. It could become so irreparably bad that the neighbours may even begin saying, "Do not have the hope that your marriage will work out."

In other instances, a whole family could be undergoing a 'grave' experience, family may be enmeshed in a curse which they struggle with for generations could be a curse of premature death. abject devil-directed poverty, accidental death, childlessness or lack of progress in life affairs and endeavours. Such a family may struggle ceaselessly for generations to be free yet they may still remain under that curse and could even get entangled further in it. These are the dangers of the grave.
Are you going through a grave experience? Look up now for your salvation is near and the Lord will translate you to glory in Jesus' name.

- Daniel O.C

SUCCESSION MANAGEMENT

by Lydia

Today as I was going through the presentation slides of the Organisation Chart for my company, I noticed a department in Human Resources called "Succession Management"..

And that got me thinking.. My company realizes that the people in management posts won't be there forever.. Either through resignations, retirement or retrenchment, human resources and the company in general will have to face the reality of workforce turnover..

Even if the person in charge is away on leave or for business, someone has to stand-in if urgent matters arise..

That also means that my company does not believe in promoting people who are unskilled/clueless to replace an ex-colleague.. Be it in the management, executive or non-executive levels..
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In the Bible, we also can see examples of Succession Management.. The most famous of all would be Moses & Joshua.. Timothy, being a 'protege' of Paul.. and so on..

In the church, we all (young and young at heart) have to realize we will not be here forever.. Be it through death, relocation and other reasons, there is a need to ensure that the baton is not dropped..

The punchline? ALL OF US are involved in the Succession Management of the church..

From the foreground ministries to the background ministries.. We need mentors and disciples.. Music Ministry.. Life Groups.. Chairing for meetings and events (baptism/weddings/funerals/etc).. Ushers & Hospitality.. Pulpit Ministry.. Children's Ministry.. and so on

Bear in mind that this is not the picture of the old kungfu masters and disciples.. Where the master will only pass on half of what he knows, to ensure he is number one..

In fact, in the church setting, the mentor should aim to impart as much as possible to the disciple.. Even to the point of the disciple being on par (or even better than) the mentor..

All for the glory of God..

So where do we discover the successors?.. In the Youth Ministry.. Young Adults Fellowship.. Even the Children's Ministry..

The church always welcomes volunteers.. Do not hesitate to speak up and avail yourself.. Not only will you ease the workload.. You will be a blessing to the brothers & sisters in Christ..

And the reward for that can only be given by the Lord..

Dear Brother Michael Lim

2 Corinthians 5
Assurance of the Resurrection

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

26 APRIL 2009

• CM: Barnabas P
  
• WL: Foong Yee
  
• BU: Richard, Colleen, Peggy Tan
  
• P/K: Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
  
• G: Darren
• D: Anna Sim
  
• LCD: Jocelyn Lee, Eddie Siow
  
• PA: Tom C., Tommy Quek
  

Sunday Sermon 19 April 2009

Speaker: Bro. Barnabas Param
White Fields Assembly

http://www.fileqube.com/file/EoFtbBj188892
( 64 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps 7MB MP3 )

He Rose On The First Day Of The Week

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. - Acts 2:4

The way was now open. The fountain of the 'rivers of living waters' has now been turned on with a gush for all toe drink and be satisfied. What a significant event on a significant day!

The recently converted Jews who had a Sabbatical setting must have been awestruck as they witnessed the events which unfolded before their eyes. Several centuries have passed and followers of Christ now understand the significance of meeting on the first day of the week.

Paul, the erstwhile persecutor of the church, had also been converted and commissioned. The Lord, having sent him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, brought him to Troas, where he had seen the Macedonian vision.

On arrival, the apostle, apparently filled with the Holy Ghost and the message of life for the Gentiles, tarried and upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, he preached until midnight (Acts 20:7). He spent a long time among these Gentiles nations, preaching and ministering to them. Later, he wrote the Corinthian church on the subject of offering, and made reference to the first day of the week, "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:2)

There is yet another notable incident. We all know that the Bible is not complete without the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse concludes the body of writings in the Bible. It provides a glimpse into the future of the church and the world. Who can imagine a Bible without the Book of Revelation? This is the very book which tells us the things which have been / things which are and things which shall be hereafter.

While Apostle John was banished to the rocky, barren and desolate island of Patmos, he wrote down what he saw concerning the programme of God for His church and the world. For our all-wise God, the appropriate day to begin these grand prophecies was Sunday or known as the 'Day of the Lord'.

The incidents of 'the first day of the week' are not accidental, they are divinely designed. The Lord ordered these events on the 'first day of the week' to underscore the New Testament Christians' ground for Sunday worship.

God expects us in this dispensation to recognise, honour and hallow this day of the Lord. It is a day of worship and rest. Just as He commanded the Jews of the old dispensation to observe and keep the Sabbath, so He commanded our worship, honour, reverence and communion on every 'Day of The Lord'.

May the Lord help us in all things, even to honour Him on His Day.

- Daniel O.C

Click on these

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KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

it's not the ABBA song in focus here..
rather the issue of relationships in the church..
we aim (and often look up to) churches with an exhaustive membership roll..
the more, the merrier...
and the more human resources we have, the better the choices..
but, are we ready to "handle" the numbers?

who do we really know in church?
aside from the "Hi" / "Bye" in passing..
aside from the little chit chat about politics & the weather over a cup of coffee..
aside from the usual folks who sit North South East West of us at our usual spot in the pews..
aside from the "he/she is the (insert familial connection) of (insert name)"..
aside from who is talented in what/can do what/achieved what..

it's quite disheartening to realize..
that we know more about our colleagues/friends/neighbors..
and their distant relatives/friends/neighbors..
than we do our own church members..

please note there is no condemnation in this post to anyone at all..

rather, this writer hopes to awaken a realization..
that we all need to make an effort..
to know our brother & sister in Christ on a deeper/personal/intimate level..
to a level where you are able to open up to a sibling in Christ..
and for a sibling in Christ to open up to you..

this writer for one, is tired..
tired of wearing the "weekday mask"..
if home and family is where we can be our true selves..
what better place to be our true selves but church?
who better to accept our true selves but our siblings in Christ?

Waste Not.. Want Not..

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

19 APRIL 2009

• CM: Siow KW
  
• WL:Peggy Tan
• BU: Gigi Lim, Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
  
• G: Ken Fhui
  
• D: Darren
• LCD: Moses Tan, Joycelyn C.
  
• PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
  

Click on these

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Sunday Sermon 12 April 2009

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Thomas Cheng
World Harvest Enterprise

Session 1
http://www.fileqube.com/file/lLpkqlA188764
( 73 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps 9MB MP3 )

Session 2
http://www.fileqube.com/file/vFGMuyra188866
( 60 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps 7MB MP3)

The Risen Christ

... concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. - Romans 1:3-4.

Jesus has risen! Hallelujah! His rising up from the dead is what gives us hope of all that we believe is true. 1 Peter 1:3 says, "By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." His rising up from the dead proves that indeed He is God and that our belief in Him offers us salvation.

Can you imagine what it would have been like if Jesus never rose from the dead? What defeated and frustrated lives we would be living now! 1 Corinthians 15 describes what some of the results would be.

1) Our faith would be in vain (it would be mere delusion, futile and fruitless, devoid of truth, empty, imaginary and unfounded. (v.14,14)
2) All our preaching would be in vain (Everything we would ever have to say would amount to nothing v.14)
3) We ourselves would have no guarantee of resurrection. (v. 12-13, 20-23)
4) we would still be under the control of sin and would have to make animal sacrifices to pay for it (v 17).
5) All those who have lived trusting in Him and His power would perish (v.18).
6) We would have hope only in this life which would be very sad (v.19).
7) We would be vainly risking our lives for the Lord (v.30-32).
8) All the promises would be in vain (v.50-54).
9) Prophecies of death being swallowed up would be false (v.55-56).

But glory be to God! Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. The grave could not keep Him because of His sinless, pure life. Death would not have its sting upon Him and hold Him down. Because He is risen. He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. When Jesus comes in the twinkling of an eye at the rapture, all those who are dead in Christ will rise again. Will you be counted among those who will rise again? It is only by the repentance of all your sins and belief in the saving power of the Lord Jesus, that you will be saved. Hebrews 7:25 says, "He is able to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene fro them."

The resurrection power of the Lord is available to you in Christ Jesus, so that you will be able to live a victorious life with the power and authority that He has won for you.

- Daniel O.C

Saturday Session

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Thomas Cheng
World Harvest Enterprise

Morning Session 1 (Leaders Retreat)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/XoNTNbURl187561
( 75 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 9MB MP3)

Morning Session 2 (Leaders Retreat)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/CrGsIkJQP187566
( 103 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 12MB MP3)

Evening Session (Youth & Young Adults)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/LRHgFWqAz188759
( 106 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 12MB MP3)

Good Friday Service

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Thomas Cheng
World Harvest Enterprise

Sessions 1:
http://www.fileqube.com/file/MXptUgIxo187553
( 59 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 7MB MP3 )

Session 2:
http://www.fileqube.com/file/zsoMvN187559
( 42 minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps, 5MB MP3 )

Waste Not.. Want Not..

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

12 APRIL 2009

EASTER CELEBRATION SERVICE

• CM: Tom C
• WL:Kai Yew
  
• BU: Hong Lu, Siew Pin, Nicholas
  
• P/K: Grace Lee, Jocelyn Lee
  
• G: Terry C.
  
• D: Nicholas
• LCD: Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• PA: Tommy Q., Tom C.
  

Three Lessons from Lakeland

by David Servant

Depending on where you live in the world and what interests you, you may or may not have some knowledge of the recent revival meetings in Lakeland, Florida, led by Canadian Todd Bentley. Although tens of thousands from around the world flocked to Lakeland over a period of four months---mostly due to the reports of physical healings---the meetings generated considerable controversy due to Bentley's questionable doctrines, strange angelic encounters, unconventional style, and his exaggerated and sometimes outright false reports of miracles.

Click here:
https://www.heavensfamily.org/ss/e_teachings/three-lessons-from-lakeland-and-todd-bentley

Sunday Sermon 5 April 2009

Speaker: Dr. Siow Khim Woon
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.fileqube.com/file/TthyFvoho187331
(MP3 5MB, 45minutes, 16KHz 16Kbps)

The Blessings Of The Cross

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

The cross is the foundation. the pillar, the essence and the centre of the gospel. From ti flows the riches of God's grace, as well as the benefits and blessings of the finished work of redemption. The cross symbolises pain, suffering, agony, punishment, sacrifice and substitutionary death of Christ Jesus for the full redemption of man. All these blessings were provided at a price so dear and a sacrifice so great.

Our salvation hands upon the cross. Santification is made possible only by the cross. People often ask this question: "Why did Jesus have to die? Why is it by the way of the cross?" We must realise that the cross is more than the wooden frame on which Jesus the Saviour died. Every good thing we receive from God has actually been made available through the cross.

The Cross and Salvation
The cross was not an accident. It was prophesied in the Old Testamen. Even from the time of the fall of man, God had declared and predicated that the cross and Calvary will be the means of man's salvation. "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15).

The fulfilment of this plan was spoken about in the New Testament, "Who Himself bore our sins in HIs own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for rigtheousness - by whose stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Here, the Bible talks about the cross and how Christ bore our sins on it when He gave Himself as a sacrifice and as our sin bearer.

On the cross, Christ Jesus paid the whole price, satisfactorily for our sins. We do not have to perish anymore because He made a perfect sacrifice. "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ was central to the salvation of man. "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). This sacrifice was total and final. Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for the salvation of man.

All have sinned and there is no expection. How then can a sinful man obtain pardon, forgiveness and salvation from sin? No effort or ability of man, no punishment inflicted upon self can atone for one's sins. Salvation comes only from the accepting Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). Full and total salvation comes from heaven. It is not the work of man, not the religious work or zeal of man. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11).

Sin carries the death penalty. But Christ died so that our sins will be taken away. Salvation is received as the sinner confesses his sins and believes in his heart (1 John 1:9, Romans 10:10). It is freely given: it is of grace. The way out of sin, guilt, damnation and spiritual death is to be cleanesed by the blood of the lamb. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away your sins.

- Daniel O.C

5 APRIL 2009

• CM: Caleb R
• WL: Shankar R
• BU: Richard, Colleen, Peggy Tan
  
• P/K: Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
• G: Darren
• D: Kai Yew
  
• LCD: Ken Fhui, Eddie Siow
  
• PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

Easter Services

GOOD FRIDAY: Friday, 10 April 2009
Venue: Ground Floor Sanctuary
Time: 8 pm - 10 pm
Light refreshment will be served after the service in the hospitality room.

Saturday, 11 April 2009
Morning Session - Leader's Retreat
Venue: Ground Floor Sanctuary
Session 1 : 9 am - 10.30 am
Session 2 : 11 am - 12.30 pm

Evening Session - Youth/Young Adults
Venue: Ground Floor Sanctuary
Time: 5 pm - 7 pm
Fellowship dinner will be held after the service in the Hospitality Room.

EASTER SERVICE: Sunday, 12 April 2009
Session 1: 9 am - 11 am
Session 2: 11.30 am - 1pm
.

Sunday Sermon 29 March 2009

Speaker: Elder Sim Say Khim

White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.fileqube.com/file/HOYOgGQJf184941

( 7MB 60minutes 16KHz 16Kbps MP3)
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Obedience to Him shows our love: Love Inspires our obedience

After Philip's question (John 14:8), one from Judas (John 14:22). It is the question of evidence fro the resurrection. And the answer is that he will be known in experience, (John 14:23) that is, he will be known ('seen') only by commitment to him and by participating in him. Notice the sequence: we love him, we therefore want to obey him, and in the act of love and obedience the Father and Son appear to us, in us, to abide with us. Anything less than this 'knowing and participating' leaves us on the outside of the resurrection looking in, perhaps intellectually convinced that Jesus lives as we consider the evidence, but not 'seeing' him in a way full of conviction and assurance, enflaming the heart.

1 Cor. 15. That does not mean of course that the only evidence for the resurrection is subjective 'belief'; but it is only the believer, who has received the Lord by love and obedience, who is in a position to weigh up the evidence. There is a way of knowing people which is different from anything else.

Matthew 6:22. We only get the real person if we come with a generous and trusting frame of mind. No less with seeing the living Lord. He said that the single eye (sincere) allows the whole personality to be flooded with light. When we come to him with the single eye of love and obedience He dawns upon us; "my eyes by seeing learn to see" And this is the great work of the Holy Spirit who is 'another counselor' (John 16,17), and because 'another' therefore in continuity with the first counselor, Jesus himself. All that Jesus ever was to his people is realised in us by the presence of the Holy Spirit. 'Counselor' is one of numerous attempts to express 'Paraclete' in English. Perhaps 'advocate' is as near any any one word can get - pleading, arguing, instructing, suggesting courses of action. In New Testament times 'advocate' could describe a friend who takes action on your behalf in times of need, who does whatever is necessary to forward your best interests. And John 14:23 is in our very best interest.
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29 MARCH 2009

• CM: Barnabas P
• WL: Terry Choong
• BU: Gigi Lim, Tian Sia, Jacquelina
  
• P/K: Lydia Sim, Jonathan Long
  
• G: Anna Sim
  
• D: Jaemy Choong
  
• LCD: Meng Fhui, Joycelyn Choong
  
• PA: Tom C., Tommy Q.
  

Sunday Sermon 22 March 2009

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Daniel O.C
Deeper Life Christian Centre, Singapore

http://www.fileqube.com/file/ajtKImrW182501

(78 minutes, 9MB 16KHz 16Kbps MP3)

God As Creator

"God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). These words are from of the Bible's principal assertions about the material world - that God created all.

The first two chapters of Genesis present two complementary accounts of creation (Psalm 104 & Provers 8 present two additional accounts). Chapter 1 pictures God in sublime terms - grand and awesome. The Hebrew term used for deity in this section (Elohim) speaks of God's majesty, sovereignity and awesome power. With a mere word, God spoke the entire universe into existence. When He finished, He call every part of His creation 'very good' (1:31).

Chapter 2, on the other hand, presents a more personal picture of creation of man and woman - the only beings in creation who reflect the very image of God. In this section, God's peronsal name (Yahweh, or Lord) is used rather than His title, "God". This is because God personally shaped Adam from dust of the earth, breathing life into him, and forming Eve from Adam's flesh and bone. Moreover, the section depicts God placing Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden and interacting with them.

Of course, these two chapters are not written in terms of modern science. But neither are they written in what have passed for science in ancient times. If the Bible had been written in the 'scientific' language of its day, it would be more than a relic today. Had it been written in the scientific language of the Middle Ages, it would have been a mystery to its first readers and nonsence to us. Had it been written to prior generations - and to be sure, a relic in future years.

These first chapters of Genesis reveal God's identity as Creator in language that makes sense to every sort of audience. The chapters spoke to ancient and medieval peoples. And today, they speak to people from all backgrounds. The modern person sometimes wonder why the language is not more precise. Yet these chapters do not aim at precision - their aim is clarity concerning on certain truth:

God created the heavens and the earth

22 MARCH 2009

• CM: Dr. Siow KW
• WL: Foong Yee
• BU: Hong Lu, Siew Pin, Richard
  
• P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
• G: Ken Fhui
  
• D: Darren
• LCD: Jocelyn Lee, Tian Sia
  
• PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

Sunday Sermon 15 March 2009

Speaker: Pastor David Lim
O.A. Ministry, N.S.

http://www.fileqube.com/file/NdwjNnisf182066

(7MB, 80 minutes, 16Kbps 16KHz MP3)