World Harvest Enterprise
(12MB MP3 16KHz 16Kbps, 102 minutes)
Sunday, 8 March 2009
The Passover
Jesus fulfilled the divinely ordained prophetic picture.
The Passover commemorated God's deliverance of the Israelites in Egypt, but it is also pointed to the coming Delivered and Saviour of all people - Jesus Christ.
More specifically, the New Testament identifies the Passover lamb, the young lamb sacrificed in place of the family's firstborn, as a type of the person and work of Jesus. (A type is a divinely ordained correspondence between a person, event, or institution and its antitype of fulfillment. Most biblical types are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.) Right at the beginning, Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist prophetically announced that Jesus was 'the Lam of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). Furthermore, Paul wrote that 'Christ, our Passover, was sacrified for us' (1 Corinithians 5:7). Finally, Peter identified Jesus as the lamb without blemish and without spot' (1 Peter 1:1-16). All New Testament references allude to the Passover lamb.
The Passover lam had to be [1] without blemish, [2] male, and [3] young. [4] It had to be examined (four days from the selection to the sacrifice) and [5] It has to be slain in public. [6] None of its bones were to be broken. Finally [7] its blood on the Israelites' doorposts was a sign that God should pass over and not destroy that family's first born (Exodus 12:3-13,46; Numbers 9:12). In each particular, Jesus was the fulfillment of this divinely ordained type. Jesus was [1] sinless and perfect. In His humanity, He was both [2] a male and [3] somewhat young when He was slain. [4] He lived a meticulously examined life. [5] He died publicly, and despite the brutality of His death, [6] none of his bones were broken (John 19:36). Finally [7] Jesus' blood is the sign of Jesus' death. Through Jesus' death, we are saved from the coming judgement.
Romans 5:9 - Much more than, having now been justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Ephesians 2:13 - But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:14 - In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin.
Hebrews 9:22 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brethen, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sings.
Revelations 1:5 - To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
-
The Passover commemorated God's deliverance of the Israelites in Egypt, but it is also pointed to the coming Delivered and Saviour of all people - Jesus Christ.
More specifically, the New Testament identifies the Passover lamb, the young lamb sacrificed in place of the family's firstborn, as a type of the person and work of Jesus. (A type is a divinely ordained correspondence between a person, event, or institution and its antitype of fulfillment. Most biblical types are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.) Right at the beginning, Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist prophetically announced that Jesus was 'the Lam of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). Furthermore, Paul wrote that 'Christ, our Passover, was sacrified for us' (1 Corinithians 5:7). Finally, Peter identified Jesus as the lamb without blemish and without spot' (1 Peter 1:1-16). All New Testament references allude to the Passover lamb.
The Passover lam had to be [1] without blemish, [2] male, and [3] young. [4] It had to be examined (four days from the selection to the sacrifice) and [5] It has to be slain in public. [6] None of its bones were to be broken. Finally [7] its blood on the Israelites' doorposts was a sign that God should pass over and not destroy that family's first born (Exodus 12:3-13,46; Numbers 9:12). In each particular, Jesus was the fulfillment of this divinely ordained type. Jesus was [1] sinless and perfect. In His humanity, He was both [2] a male and [3] somewhat young when He was slain. [4] He lived a meticulously examined life. [5] He died publicly, and despite the brutality of His death, [6] none of his bones were broken (John 19:36). Finally [7] Jesus' blood is the sign of Jesus' death. Through Jesus' death, we are saved from the coming judgement.
Romans 5:9 - Much more than, having now been justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Ephesians 2:13 - But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:14 - In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin.
Hebrews 9:22 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brethen, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sings.
Revelations 1:5 - To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
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Monday, 2 March 2009
8 MARCH 2009
- Siow KW
- Peggy Tan
- Foong Yee, Hong Lu, Meng Fhui
- Lydia Sim
- Jocelyn Lee
- Nicholas
- Anna Sim
- Moses Tan, Colleen Chang
- Tommy Quek, Hiew FF
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Sunday Sermon 1 March 2009
Speaker: Pastor Dennis Balan
Full Gospel Assembly, USJ
(MP3 7MB, 16KHz, 16Kbps)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/zDrOdd176804
The Bible Keeps You Spiritually Strong
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8
In our lives we pay attention to so many things. If it is spending hours on the computer or learning about it, we have the time. Thought its something we started not too long ago we are almost familiar with everything about it. Food. There's no place we would not venture to go no matter how far or what time of the day it is, to fill our appetites. Sales! We may be regular visitors and know about all the items on sale, its price, the discount, when the best time to buy something is, and where to buy it. Fashion and makeup ! We may be expert on the products, brands, its use, and effects. Whatever interested us, we spend endless hours sleepless nights, abundance of money to keep our interests and develop it and we have all the knowledge of it at the tip of our fingertips.
To most of us our Bibles is precious and treasured especially on Sunday or the days we go to a meeting. Often after that, it is just a book which we keep at home and take when we feel convenient and spend a few drooping sleepy moments over it. And that's it! Ever since we were in Sunday School, we have heard of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the minor prophets the Epistles and the book of Revelation. Most of us do not even know the names of some of the books of the Bible neither their exact locations in the bible.
Do we spend a day at least making an effort to know the contents of some books of the bible? We do not even ask the Holy Spirit who is the author of the bible for understanding but we look into it with our own minds and then a lot of it does not seem to make sense. We skip over what we 'think' is not important or leave it as the responsibility of the pastor of the church to expand it. But the word of God tells us, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4, Deut. 8:3).
Do you read the Scriptures? If it is not even in your mind, how can you meditate on it day and night? That is the secret to make your way prosperous and have good success, the bibles tell us (Joshua 1:8).
Every word of God is important and as you give first place in your life to the things of God, see how refreshed and how blessed your life will be! Everyday you will see new revelations and new insights, which will give you plenty of food for thought. Do not waste your precious time in idleness or vain self-seeking pursuits but seek the Lord. Search His word for deeper understanding and He will reveal Himself to you in a special way through the help of the Holy Spirit.
- Daniel O.C
In our lives we pay attention to so many things. If it is spending hours on the computer or learning about it, we have the time. Thought its something we started not too long ago we are almost familiar with everything about it. Food. There's no place we would not venture to go no matter how far or what time of the day it is, to fill our appetites. Sales! We may be regular visitors and know about all the items on sale, its price, the discount, when the best time to buy something is, and where to buy it. Fashion and makeup ! We may be expert on the products, brands, its use, and effects. Whatever interested us, we spend endless hours sleepless nights, abundance of money to keep our interests and develop it and we have all the knowledge of it at the tip of our fingertips.
To most of us our Bibles is precious and treasured especially on Sunday or the days we go to a meeting. Often after that, it is just a book which we keep at home and take when we feel convenient and spend a few drooping sleepy moments over it. And that's it! Ever since we were in Sunday School, we have heard of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the minor prophets the Epistles and the book of Revelation. Most of us do not even know the names of some of the books of the Bible neither their exact locations in the bible.
Do we spend a day at least making an effort to know the contents of some books of the bible? We do not even ask the Holy Spirit who is the author of the bible for understanding but we look into it with our own minds and then a lot of it does not seem to make sense. We skip over what we 'think' is not important or leave it as the responsibility of the pastor of the church to expand it. But the word of God tells us, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4, Deut. 8:3).
Do you read the Scriptures? If it is not even in your mind, how can you meditate on it day and night? That is the secret to make your way prosperous and have good success, the bibles tell us (Joshua 1:8).
Every word of God is important and as you give first place in your life to the things of God, see how refreshed and how blessed your life will be! Everyday you will see new revelations and new insights, which will give you plenty of food for thought. Do not waste your precious time in idleness or vain self-seeking pursuits but seek the Lord. Search His word for deeper understanding and He will reveal Himself to you in a special way through the help of the Holy Spirit.
- Daniel O.C
Monday, 23 February 2009
1 MARCH 2009
- Liong KC
- Shankar R
- Siew Pin, Joycelyn C, Jun Fhui
- Grace Lee
- Meng Fhui
- Anna Sim
- Terry Choong
- Tian Sia, Jocelyn Lee
- Manjit Singh, Tom C.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Bible Class - Book Of Acts
Commencing on 7 March 2009, Saturday
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: Basement Hospitality Room
This is a call for all those who have a desire to study the book seriously.
Kindly give your names to Sis Verni to enable us to oder the study books.
The church will subsidise half the cost of the study books).
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: Basement Hospitality Room
This is a call for all those who have a desire to study the book seriously.
Kindly give your names to Sis Verni to enable us to oder the study books.
The church will subsidise half the cost of the study books).
Sunday Sermon 22 Feb 2009
Speaker: Elder Lim Swee Boon
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 4MB, 35minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/SscOABbg175123
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 4MB, 35minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/SscOABbg175123
The Mosaic Covenant
God made a covenant with the entire nation of Israel
The arrival of the community of Israel at Mount Sinai was a momentous event that would shape their subsequent history. Encamped before this mountain, the Israelites encountered their God, who had recently delivered them from Egyptian slavery (Genesis 12:1-3, 12:13). At this mountain for the first time, God made a covenant with the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 19-24), usually referred to as the Mosaic covenant. He formalized His relationship with the Israelites with a suzerain-vassal (ruler-subject) treaty. That is, God came to the Israelites as the Great King and presented to them a binding treaty in which He would make certain promises to them and they would have certain obligations as His servants. This was not a treaty between equalsl it was a treaty between the superior King and His inferior servants. This type of covenant was common during this period of history between an overlord and his subjects. The overlord blessed and protected the people in exchange for loyalty and obedience.
In this treaty, God first reminded the Israelites of who He was and how He had acted in their behalf. He was their Saviour - the One who had snatched them from their oppressors (Exo. 19:4). And if they covenanted with Him, God promised to make the Israelites His 'special treasure' (Exo. 19:15). He would lavish special attention on them and make them 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Exo. 19:6). On the one hand, Israel would become holy - or distinct and separate from all other nations - because of this special relationship with God. But on the other hand, Israel, in its separation, was to be the means by which the other nations would learn of the living God. This nation of priests would leader others to a correct worship of the true God (Psalm 121:7).
As part of this treaty, God graciously instructed the Israelites on how they should live (Exo. 20). As a people who had relationship with the living God, the Israelites had to act a certain way - God's way. The Law was benevolent instruction from God Himself. It was God's direction, like an outstreched hand pointing out the way one should take o nthe road of life. The Israelites were in a most enviable position. God had demonstrated His love for them by saving them. He had shown His faithfulness His promises to their parents, Abaraham and Sarah. He had formalized His relationship with them in a treaty and promised to make them His special people. Finally He even gave them instructions for how to live. They were at peace with their Creator.
The arrival of the community of Israel at Mount Sinai was a momentous event that would shape their subsequent history. Encamped before this mountain, the Israelites encountered their God, who had recently delivered them from Egyptian slavery (Genesis 12:1-3, 12:13). At this mountain for the first time, God made a covenant with the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 19-24), usually referred to as the Mosaic covenant. He formalized His relationship with the Israelites with a suzerain-vassal (ruler-subject) treaty. That is, God came to the Israelites as the Great King and presented to them a binding treaty in which He would make certain promises to them and they would have certain obligations as His servants. This was not a treaty between equalsl it was a treaty between the superior King and His inferior servants. This type of covenant was common during this period of history between an overlord and his subjects. The overlord blessed and protected the people in exchange for loyalty and obedience.
In this treaty, God first reminded the Israelites of who He was and how He had acted in their behalf. He was their Saviour - the One who had snatched them from their oppressors (Exo. 19:4). And if they covenanted with Him, God promised to make the Israelites His 'special treasure' (Exo. 19:15). He would lavish special attention on them and make them 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Exo. 19:6). On the one hand, Israel would become holy - or distinct and separate from all other nations - because of this special relationship with God. But on the other hand, Israel, in its separation, was to be the means by which the other nations would learn of the living God. This nation of priests would leader others to a correct worship of the true God (Psalm 121:7).
As part of this treaty, God graciously instructed the Israelites on how they should live (Exo. 20). As a people who had relationship with the living God, the Israelites had to act a certain way - God's way. The Law was benevolent instruction from God Himself. It was God's direction, like an outstreched hand pointing out the way one should take o nthe road of life. The Israelites were in a most enviable position. God had demonstrated His love for them by saving them. He had shown His faithfulness His promises to their parents, Abaraham and Sarah. He had formalized His relationship with them in a treaty and promised to make them His special people. Finally He even gave them instructions for how to live. They were at peace with their Creator.
Monday, 16 February 2009
22 FEBRUARY 2009
- Caleb R
- Peter Long
- Shankar R, Jacquelina, Gigi Lim
- Lydia Sim
- Jonathan Long
- Jaemy Choong
- Anna Sim
- Richard, Joycelyn Choong
- Hiew FF, Tommy Quek
Sunday, 15 February 2009
The King of Israel
The people were following their neighbours.
Was it God's will for Israel to have a king? Certainly it was, for God had indicated that the kingship was part of His plan for Israel. Gen 49:10 predicted the coming of Messiah. The Scriptures in Deutronomy 17:14-20 anticipated the request the Israelites would make for a king. It gave the regulations that had to be followed. These limited the power and splendor of the future king. He would not be dependent on military power and riches. He was not to entangle the nation in political alliances that would expose Israel to pagan worship. Instead, he was exhorted to guide the nation into obedience to God's law. He is to be bound to God's instructions. He would not be a tyrant, but a king who would rule in accordance to God's revealed wil..
Although kingship for them was not wrong in itself, the way the Israelites were demanding it was wrong. The people clearly stated their motives for wanting a king. First, they wanted to follow the practices of the neighbouring nations (Deut. 8:5). Second, they wanted a king to lead them into battles (Deut. 8:20). BOth motives amounted to a rejection of the God of Israel as their King (Deut. 8:7) The Lord had demonstrated on numerous occasions that He would fight the Israelites' battles. From the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls (Josh. 6:20) to Gideon's rout of the massive Midianite army (Judges. 7:19-22). God had delivered His people again and again from their enemies. Why did they need a king now to lead them into battles?
What is more, GOd had given the people His word, the prophets, and the judges to guide them. But as the tragic history of Judges demonstrates, the people ignored God's guidance and followed the practices of their neighbours (Judges 3:7). Now, once again, the people were following their neighbours instead of the living God and the word He had given them. Although Samuel clearly communicated God's warning to the people, they stubbornly preferred their will to God's.
In the end, God allowed the Israelites to have what they wanted. He gave them a king like those of the other nations. The tall and handsome Saul would have been the perfect choice for a king. But through Saul's tragic reign, God taught the Israelites that they needed a king who was not like the kings of the other nations. They needed a king who would obey God's word instead of following his own will - a king would trust in God instead of himself. In the shadow of Saul's mistakes, God trained young David to walk in His ways so that He could eventually lead the nation in reighteousness.
Was it God's will for Israel to have a king? Certainly it was, for God had indicated that the kingship was part of His plan for Israel. Gen 49:10 predicted the coming of Messiah. The Scriptures in Deutronomy 17:14-20 anticipated the request the Israelites would make for a king. It gave the regulations that had to be followed. These limited the power and splendor of the future king. He would not be dependent on military power and riches. He was not to entangle the nation in political alliances that would expose Israel to pagan worship. Instead, he was exhorted to guide the nation into obedience to God's law. He is to be bound to God's instructions. He would not be a tyrant, but a king who would rule in accordance to God's revealed wil..
Although kingship for them was not wrong in itself, the way the Israelites were demanding it was wrong. The people clearly stated their motives for wanting a king. First, they wanted to follow the practices of the neighbouring nations (Deut. 8:5). Second, they wanted a king to lead them into battles (Deut. 8:20). BOth motives amounted to a rejection of the God of Israel as their King (Deut. 8:7) The Lord had demonstrated on numerous occasions that He would fight the Israelites' battles. From the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls (Josh. 6:20) to Gideon's rout of the massive Midianite army (Judges. 7:19-22). God had delivered His people again and again from their enemies. Why did they need a king now to lead them into battles?
What is more, GOd had given the people His word, the prophets, and the judges to guide them. But as the tragic history of Judges demonstrates, the people ignored God's guidance and followed the practices of their neighbours (Judges 3:7). Now, once again, the people were following their neighbours instead of the living God and the word He had given them. Although Samuel clearly communicated God's warning to the people, they stubbornly preferred their will to God's.
In the end, God allowed the Israelites to have what they wanted. He gave them a king like those of the other nations. The tall and handsome Saul would have been the perfect choice for a king. But through Saul's tragic reign, God taught the Israelites that they needed a king who was not like the kings of the other nations. They needed a king who would obey God's word instead of following his own will - a king would trust in God instead of himself. In the shadow of Saul's mistakes, God trained young David to walk in His ways so that He could eventually lead the nation in reighteousness.
Monday, 9 February 2009
15 FEBRUARY 2009
- Barnabas P
- Foong Yee
- Hong Lu, Ken Fhui, Lydia
- Jun Fhui
- Meng Fhui
- Kai Yew
- Terry Choong
- Moses
- Tom C, Manjit Singh
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Sunday Sermon 8 Feb 2009
Speaker: Pastor Thomas Samuel
Jesus Calls Prayer Tower, P.J
( 7MB, 52minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/vthibj172325
Jesus Calls Prayer Tower, P.J
( 7MB, 52minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/vthibj172325
King David As Priest
David was acting as a royal priest. - 1 Chronicles 15:25 to 16:1-3
David's actions on the day that the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem were peculiar for a king. In the first place, David put on a a linen ephod. This fine garment represented God's presence among His people and was part of the uniform of the high priest (Ex.28:4; 1 Sam. 2:28). After celebrating before the Lord and offering sacrifices to Him, David blessed the people. Blessing the people after their participation in sacrificial worship was another task of the priest (Lev. 9:22,23; Num. 6:23). David's dress and behaviour on that day resembled that of a priest.
The author of Hebrews gives us some insight into what occured on that day, for he describes a priestly line different from Aaron's line - the priestly line of Melchizedek (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:20-28; 8:6). Like David, Melchizedek was a king, the king of Salem. But he was more than a king; he also functioned as a priest, one who blessed Abraham (Gen.14:18-20; Heb. 7:1-3). The Book of Hebrews identifies Jesus, a descendant of David's royal line, as a royal priest of the order of Melchizedek. Moreover, Jesus' priesthood is far superior to that of Aaron (Heb. 5:5-11; 6:13-20; 7:1-10). In the course of discussion, the author of Hebrews cites Pslam 110:4, a psalm of David:
"The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
"You are a prieset forever
ACcording to the order of Melchizedek."
This psalm teahces that there would someday be a priest from a different line than Aaron's and who would be a priest forever. This is Jesus, the Son of David, as the author of Hebrews explains. Thus, when David took on some of the roles of a priest on this occasion, he was acting a a royal priest in the order of Melchizedek. He was anticipating the priestly role of the Second David, Jesus Christ, who now sits as High Priest at the right hand of God the Father:
"Now this is the main point of the things we are saying. We have such a High Priest, who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man." - Hebrews 8:1-2
David's actions on the day that the ark of the covenant was brought into Jerusalem were peculiar for a king. In the first place, David put on a a linen ephod. This fine garment represented God's presence among His people and was part of the uniform of the high priest (Ex.28:4; 1 Sam. 2:28). After celebrating before the Lord and offering sacrifices to Him, David blessed the people. Blessing the people after their participation in sacrificial worship was another task of the priest (Lev. 9:22,23; Num. 6:23). David's dress and behaviour on that day resembled that of a priest.
The author of Hebrews gives us some insight into what occured on that day, for he describes a priestly line different from Aaron's line - the priestly line of Melchizedek (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:20-28; 8:6). Like David, Melchizedek was a king, the king of Salem. But he was more than a king; he also functioned as a priest, one who blessed Abraham (Gen.14:18-20; Heb. 7:1-3). The Book of Hebrews identifies Jesus, a descendant of David's royal line, as a royal priest of the order of Melchizedek. Moreover, Jesus' priesthood is far superior to that of Aaron (Heb. 5:5-11; 6:13-20; 7:1-10). In the course of discussion, the author of Hebrews cites Pslam 110:4, a psalm of David:
"The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
"You are a prieset forever
ACcording to the order of Melchizedek."
This psalm teahces that there would someday be a priest from a different line than Aaron's and who would be a priest forever. This is Jesus, the Son of David, as the author of Hebrews explains. Thus, when David took on some of the roles of a priest on this occasion, he was acting a a royal priest in the order of Melchizedek. He was anticipating the priestly role of the Second David, Jesus Christ, who now sits as High Priest at the right hand of God the Father:
"Now this is the main point of the things we are saying. We have such a High Priest, who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man." - Hebrews 8:1-2
Monday, 2 February 2009
8 FEBRUARY 2008
- Siow KW
- Kai Yew
- Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Colleen Chang
- Grace Lee
- Jonathan Long
- Jaemy Choong
- Terry Choong
- Ken Fhui, Joycelyn Choong
- Tommy Quek, Hiew FF
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Sunday Sermon 1 February 2009
Speaker: Bro. Barnabas Param
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 8MB, 64minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/zcxkawY170016
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 8MB, 64minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/zcxkawY170016
Sacrifice of Joy
God's command concerning sacrifices and offerings were given to people who were already in relationships with Him, who were already part of the covenant community, and who were already His people. Sacrifices and offerings to God were never to be understood as a means of salvation. Instead, God designed the sacrificial system in order to cultivate a consciousness of Himself among His people. First of all, the sacrifices provided a catalyst, an occasion for dealing with a person's sin and for restoring a person before God. Furthermore, these sacrifices cultivated the person's sense of perspective. The cleansing ritual of the priests who sacrificed the offerings pointed to God's holiness. God was infinitely greater than any one person and He certainly deserved everyone's gratitude and praise. A worshipper could physically express that praise to God through a fellowship offering. Of course, this sacrificial system was by no means cheap, all of the offerings were costly. But this fact impressed on the worshipper that only one's best could be given to God.
Sacrifices were not ends in themselves. God was primarily interested in the person. The mandatory sacrifices served to remind a worshiper of his or her relationship to God. A person who brought the right sacrifices, but who heart was far from God, would never please Him. The Old Testament writers stated again and again that God is more concerned with a person's heart [Gen 4:1-8, Ps 40:6-8; Isa 1:10-18; Mic 6:6-8]. Hosea recorded God's statement, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" [Hoe 6:6; see Matt. 9:13, 12:7]. The animals and the grain, the oil and the wine and the incense and the ash - all were ultimately accompaniments to the presentation of oneself as a living sacrifice to God [Rom 12:2].
The sacrifices and offerings in the Old Testament pointed forward to the death of the Saviour, Jesus [Heb 9:26]. The blood of bulls and goats, the outpouring of wine, and the burning of oil had no power to overcome sin. Yet because Jesus is perfect and is God's only Son, His death atones for sins [Heb 10:1-10]. Because of His death, we can approach the holy God. The complex sacrificial system shows how all of life, with its different sphere and rhythms, belongs to God and can be lived with a sense of restoration and gratitude towards Him.
1 Samuel 15:22 - So Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.
Sacrifices were not ends in themselves. God was primarily interested in the person. The mandatory sacrifices served to remind a worshiper of his or her relationship to God. A person who brought the right sacrifices, but who heart was far from God, would never please Him. The Old Testament writers stated again and again that God is more concerned with a person's heart [Gen 4:1-8, Ps 40:6-8; Isa 1:10-18; Mic 6:6-8]. Hosea recorded God's statement, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" [Hoe 6:6; see Matt. 9:13, 12:7]. The animals and the grain, the oil and the wine and the incense and the ash - all were ultimately accompaniments to the presentation of oneself as a living sacrifice to God [Rom 12:2].
The sacrifices and offerings in the Old Testament pointed forward to the death of the Saviour, Jesus [Heb 9:26]. The blood of bulls and goats, the outpouring of wine, and the burning of oil had no power to overcome sin. Yet because Jesus is perfect and is God's only Son, His death atones for sins [Heb 10:1-10]. Because of His death, we can approach the holy God. The complex sacrificial system shows how all of life, with its different sphere and rhythms, belongs to God and can be lived with a sense of restoration and gratitude towards Him.
1 Samuel 15:22 - So Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.
Monday, 26 January 2009
1 FEBRUARY 2009
- Liong KC
- Peggy Tan
- Siew Pin, Tian Sia, Meng Fhui
- Jessica Lee
- Jocelyn Lee
- Nicholas Teh
- Anna Sim
- Moses Tan, Jacquelina Lim
- Manjit Singh, Tom Cheryan
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Sunday Sermon 25 January 2009
Speaker: Bro. Chin Teng Lum
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 6MB, 49minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/gxdGIm168708
White Fields Assembly Seremban
( 6MB, 49minutes, 16Kbps, 16KHz Mono)
http://www.fileqube.com/file/gxdGIm168708
A New Culture
Outward purity would reflect inward purity
Israel was on the verge of a momentous occasion. Not only were they preparing to enter the Promised Land and conquer its inhabitants, they were also preparing to establish a brand new culture. The primary focus of this new culture would be on the living God. Every part of it would reflect His nature.
God's commandments gave the Israelites a concrete expression of how God wanted the people to live in. In short, He wanted a people that love and worshiped Him alone. By keeping a number of purity laws, the Israelites were to demonstrate their commitment to Him by keeping ritually clean. Ideally, this outward purity would reflect inward purity. Since God was perfect, He wanted His people to resist the immoral practises of the neighbouring nations. But He not only wanted them to resist evil, He also wanted them toe reflect His loving and compassionate nature by helping strangers, widows, orphans, and the poor. By following God's extensive instructions, the Israelites could establish their society on the just laws of the living God.
Many parts of the Israelites culture were distinctive in the ancient world - such as prohibitions against eating pork. These outward distinctive were a sign that Israelites were set apart to God's holy purposes. However, the most prominent distinctive was Israel's absolute allegiance to one God. Israel's entire society - its legal system, economic structure, family life and individual and communal ethics - reflected this allegiance. While the nations that surrounded Israel worshiped a variety of gods at numerous shrines located all over the landscape, the Israelites [ideally] worshiped one God in one place - the place He would choose.
In the Promised Land, God planned to bless the Israelites abundantly. In return, the Israelites were required to understand and acknowledge that He who created the heavens and the earth, alone is God Almighty. And God expected them to live responsibly in obedience and loyalty to Him alone, based upon love and fear, to walk in all His ways and to serve Him with all diligence.
This was to be their new culture, unlike any that preceded it.
Israel was on the verge of a momentous occasion. Not only were they preparing to enter the Promised Land and conquer its inhabitants, they were also preparing to establish a brand new culture. The primary focus of this new culture would be on the living God. Every part of it would reflect His nature.
God's commandments gave the Israelites a concrete expression of how God wanted the people to live in. In short, He wanted a people that love and worshiped Him alone. By keeping a number of purity laws, the Israelites were to demonstrate their commitment to Him by keeping ritually clean. Ideally, this outward purity would reflect inward purity. Since God was perfect, He wanted His people to resist the immoral practises of the neighbouring nations. But He not only wanted them to resist evil, He also wanted them toe reflect His loving and compassionate nature by helping strangers, widows, orphans, and the poor. By following God's extensive instructions, the Israelites could establish their society on the just laws of the living God.
Many parts of the Israelites culture were distinctive in the ancient world - such as prohibitions against eating pork. These outward distinctive were a sign that Israelites were set apart to God's holy purposes. However, the most prominent distinctive was Israel's absolute allegiance to one God. Israel's entire society - its legal system, economic structure, family life and individual and communal ethics - reflected this allegiance. While the nations that surrounded Israel worshiped a variety of gods at numerous shrines located all over the landscape, the Israelites [ideally] worshiped one God in one place - the place He would choose.
In the Promised Land, God planned to bless the Israelites abundantly. In return, the Israelites were required to understand and acknowledge that He who created the heavens and the earth, alone is God Almighty. And God expected them to live responsibly in obedience and loyalty to Him alone, based upon love and fear, to walk in all His ways and to serve Him with all diligence.
This was to be their new culture, unlike any that preceded it.
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