The more I study the book of Matthew, the more personal this sacrifice of Jesus appears to me. We've been having weeks of Precepts... one evening a week, it's not been easy. It involves one hour of homework 5 days a week. Yet studying Matthew's gospel, I really feel like I've been walking beside Jesus, watching how He interacts with people, how He serves, how He loves.
His call is getting more personal: Will you come follow me? Will you take up this cross? Will you lay your agendas down and take up mine?
It's been making me consider everything in "Kingdom perspective". Am I building my home on Earth or in Heaven? Do I really believe that the first will be last and the last will be first. All these precious truths have been set before me time and time again. I think it's time for us to take a look at ourselves and ask if we're really disciples of Christ. Do we want to follow this King? It will change our lives completely. It's also the best decision we could possibly make.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
This closes the debate...
None can be used in formal writing with either a singular or a plural verb depending on context. This topic has been amply discussed in the following usage note from American Heritage Dictionary.
Usage Note: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word ân, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward. The plural use can be found in reputable sources such as the King James Bible, Dryden, and Burke; and H.W. Fowler described the traditional rule as "a mistake." Either a singular or a plural verb is acceptably used in a sentence such as None of the conspirators has (or have) been brought to trial. When none is modified by almost, however, it is difficult to avoid treating the word as a plural: Almost none of the officials were (not was) interviewed by the committee. None can only be plural in its use in sentences such as None but his most loyal supporters believe (not believes) his story.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Usage Note: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word ân, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward. The plural use can be found in reputable sources such as the King James Bible, Dryden, and Burke; and H.W. Fowler described the traditional rule as "a mistake." Either a singular or a plural verb is acceptably used in a sentence such as None of the conspirators has (or have) been brought to trial. When none is modified by almost, however, it is difficult to avoid treating the word as a plural: Almost none of the officials were (not was) interviewed by the committee. None can only be plural in its use in sentences such as None but his most loyal supporters believe (not believes) his story.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Experiencing God
Walking with God involves a relationship with God, not a method. Throughout the scriptures, God takes the initiative to invite His people to participate in His work. God is more likely to ask us to follow Him one day at a time rather than spell out all the details before we begin to obey. Our primary concern should not be "what should I do with my life tomorrow?" but "what does God want me to do today?". If we follow Jesus one day at a time, we will be right in the centre of God's will for our lives. God then reveals His activity and invites us to participate.
George Muller - in entering a heart relationship with God and discerning His voice
1. Get my heart into a state that it has no will of its own In regard to a given matter. (Instead, ready to follow God's will)
2. Do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression.
3. Seek the will of God through, or in connection with, the word of God.
4. Take into account providential circumstances.
5. Ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
6. Through prayer, study of the Word and reflection, I come to a judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is this at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Alpha
I want to say thank you to those who have been putting in effort for this alpha event, ultimate questions, especially those who took the courage to invite their friends. I remember telling you guys that you'd be in charge of the games an that I'd only be focusing on the teaching part, and that's exactly what you guys did, you took care of everything else.
Honestly, I think there's still room for improvement in the way we welcome our guests. I hope that in time, we'll learn to be less shy and more proactive in talking to them. Still, I appreciate the hard work, the planning and execution of the event. Thanks, team, thanks Marcus and Wee Theng.
Let's continue to pray for the friends who came, the friends who wanted to come but couldn't, and the friends we're hoping to invite in the future. Let's also learn to have a passion for God's glory to be spread throughout the Earth.
Father, we hope our feeble attempt at evangelism was pleasing to you. Move the hearts of the friends who came. Show yourself to them and open their spiritual eyes to make them understand their need for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you for using us in all our weakness. Continue to guide us to live for your glory. Use us to lead the people around us to Christ.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Effervescence Yalpha (9th July)
Alright guys, here's the run down of what's going to happen on Saturday! :)
First off though, I'd like to apologize that its so late :/
The day will go on as listed,
Introduction » Games » Dinner » Talk
(Explanation of games will come last, Please read if you have time to familiarise yourself with the games)
1.Introduction (3.30pm to 4pm)
The introduction is basically made up of 3 separate icebreaker games which will be played in the order listed,
a. One Truth One Lie (Patrizha)
b. Blow Wind Blow
c. Musical Chairs (Nadia)
2.Games (4pm to 5.30pm)
Following the introduction is the games section,
a. Quack Quack game (Ian)
b. Dog and Bone (David)
c. Toxic waste
*Edit: Name of GameMasters have been added beside the name of the games!
3.Dinner (5.30pm to 6.30pm)
Dinner will basically be potluck,
The guys will prepare something, the girls will be something else (I am unsure about who does what though)
If you want to find out, please check with Pat(:
Edit: (Pat here.) Basically everyone is doing finger-food.
When we discussed last time, this is the list.
Guys: Burgers, Fries and Soup.
The people in charge of the above mentioned food is David and Zenas.I'm not sure whether you guys are meeting earlier to make it so you all discuss among yourselves.
Girls: Salad, Nuggets and Drinks.
I'm not sure if we're going to add more but we're preparing it at germaine's house before yalpha.
NOTE: Amount depends on how many people are attending altogether so we need to finalise it as soon as possible.
4.Talk (6.30pm to 7/7.30pm)
The talk will be handled by Germaine and Wee Theng,
I believe that a large part of the talk will be answering the questions which have been posted to them, so please get any questions your friends might have about Christianity and refer them to Nadia(:
5.Logistics
With regards to logistics, we have yet to get any of the items we require,
Therefore, we'll be meeting on Thursday/Friday after school to get the items, I'll send out a text later regarding the matter.
Here's the list of items we require,
-Disposable Cups
-Disposable Plates
-Disposable Utensils
-Trash Bags
-Drink Dispenser [Bringing: Pat]
-Snacks/Sweets
-Blindfold x1
-"Bone" / "Bones" (For dog and bone)
-Raffia String
-Plastic Cup/Mug
-Ping Pong Balls x10
-Buckets/Pails x4 [Bringing: Ryan (2), Kai li (1),] *one more required!
-Music (Laptop + Speakers, etc.)
Edit: Hat and writing materials no longer needed(:
6.Game Explanation
Okay, from here, I'll be explaining all the games so that you guys are familiar with them.
*Edit: Name of GameMasters have been added beside the name of the games!
1a. One Truth One Lie (Patrizha)
- We'll be sitting in a circle, One person starts by saying out 2 statements, One being true, another a lie
- The rest of the group will then guess which statement is true, which is not
- After deliberating and guessing, the person will reveal which statement is true, which isn't
- This continues until everyone has had a turn
1b. Blow Wind Blow
- Everyone will still be sitting in a circle, except now, one person will be standing in the center
- The person in the center will start with the statement : "Blow Wind Blow"
- The rest of the group replies with "Blow what?"
- The person in the center continues with "Blow ...... (A fact)" Eg. "Blow all the people who have siblings"
- Everyone to which the fact applies gets off their chairs and looks for another seat, with the person in the center also competing for a seat
- One person will be left in the center and the round starts again
1c. Musical Chairs (Nadia)
-Chairs in a circle less then the number of players
-Music will begin playing and all the players will be walking around the circle
-When the music stops, all players to compete for a seat
-Players left without a seat is eliminated
-This continues until one person is left
2a. Quack Quack Game (Is still a little unsure about this game) (Ian)
- Everyone will be in a circle, with one person in the middle
- The person in the middle will be blindfolded (and spun)
- He/She will approach someone, then will have to guess who that person is through requesting they make the sound of a certain animal (Etc. "What sound does a cow make")
- The game proceeds with someone else being blindfolded
2b. Dog and Bone (David)
- The group will be split into two teams, on either side with a 'bone' in the center
- The members of each group will number themselves off
- The Gamemaster will continue by shouting a number(s) (Through an equation/ Just the number)
- The members whose number corresponds with the number shouted will run for the bone, pick it up, and return to their side of the field
- If in possession of the bone, and is tapped, the person will have to drop the bone and is eliminated
- Once back to their side of the field with the 'bone' in hand, a point is scored
2c. Toxic Waste
- Two separate teams will have two buckets/pails each
- One pail will be filled with water and ping pong balls, the other empty
- Every member of the group will be attached to a plastic cup/mug with the use of raffia string
- The aim is the get from the end with the empty pail, to the one which is filled, collect a ping pong ball into the cup/mug without touching the cup, and deposit it back at the empty pail
- The game will be controlled with a time limit, After time is up, the team with more ping pong balls in the empty pail wins
7. Final points
I will be sending out a message soon regarding Yalpha.
Basically, the message will be about you availability on either Thursday/Friday to get the logistics,
Whether or not you are confirmed coming on Saturday and the number of friends you're bringing,
And lastly, Whether or not you are okay with being a Gamemaster for one/two of the games.
p.s. If there is any error in the post, please feel free to correct me. You can also contact me if you have any queries but I might take a while to reply =x
Remember to keep praying for the friends you want to bring along, as well as for the event itself!(:
Marcus
First off though, I'd like to apologize that its so late :/
The day will go on as listed,
Introduction » Games » Dinner » Talk
(Explanation of games will come last, Please read if you have time to familiarise yourself with the games)
1.Introduction (3.30pm to 4pm)
The introduction is basically made up of 3 separate icebreaker games which will be played in the order listed,
a. One Truth One Lie (Patrizha)
b. Blow Wind Blow
c. Musical Chairs (Nadia)
2.Games (4pm to 5.30pm)
Following the introduction is the games section,
a. Quack Quack game (Ian)
b. Dog and Bone (David)
c. Toxic waste
*Edit: Name of GameMasters have been added beside the name of the games!
3.Dinner (5.30pm to 6.30pm)
Dinner will basically be potluck,
The guys will prepare something, the girls will be something else (I am unsure about who does what though)
If you want to find out, please check with Pat(:
Edit: (Pat here.) Basically everyone is doing finger-food.
When we discussed last time, this is the list.
Guys: Burgers, Fries and Soup.
The people in charge of the above mentioned food is David and Zenas.I'm not sure whether you guys are meeting earlier to make it so you all discuss among yourselves.
Girls: Salad, Nuggets and Drinks.
I'm not sure if we're going to add more but we're preparing it at germaine's house before yalpha.
NOTE: Amount depends on how many people are attending altogether so we need to finalise it as soon as possible.
4.Talk (6.30pm to 7/7.30pm)
The talk will be handled by Germaine and Wee Theng,
I believe that a large part of the talk will be answering the questions which have been posted to them, so please get any questions your friends might have about Christianity and refer them to Nadia(:
5.Logistics
With regards to logistics, we have yet to get any of the items we require,
Therefore, we'll be meeting on Thursday/Friday after school to get the items, I'll send out a text later regarding the matter.
Here's the list of items we require,
-Disposable Cups
-Disposable Plates
-Disposable Utensils
-Trash Bags
-Drink Dispenser [Bringing: Pat]
-Snacks/Sweets
-Blindfold x1
-"Bone" / "Bones" (For dog and bone)
-Raffia String
-Plastic Cup/Mug
-Ping Pong Balls x10
-Buckets/Pails x4 [Bringing: Ryan (2), Kai li (1),] *one more required!
-Music (Laptop + Speakers, etc.)
Edit: Hat and writing materials no longer needed(:
6.Game Explanation
Okay, from here, I'll be explaining all the games so that you guys are familiar with them.
*Edit: Name of GameMasters have been added beside the name of the games!
1a. One Truth One Lie (Patrizha)
- We'll be sitting in a circle, One person starts by saying out 2 statements, One being true, another a lie
- The rest of the group will then guess which statement is true, which is not
- After deliberating and guessing, the person will reveal which statement is true, which isn't
- This continues until everyone has had a turn
1b. Blow Wind Blow
- Everyone will still be sitting in a circle, except now, one person will be standing in the center
- The person in the center will start with the statement : "Blow Wind Blow"
- The rest of the group replies with "Blow what?"
- The person in the center continues with "Blow ...... (A fact)" Eg. "Blow all the people who have siblings"
- Everyone to which the fact applies gets off their chairs and looks for another seat, with the person in the center also competing for a seat
- One person will be left in the center and the round starts again
1c. Musical Chairs (Nadia)
-Chairs in a circle less then the number of players
-Music will begin playing and all the players will be walking around the circle
-When the music stops, all players to compete for a seat
-Players left without a seat is eliminated
-This continues until one person is left
2a. Quack Quack Game (Is still a little unsure about this game) (Ian)
- Everyone will be in a circle, with one person in the middle
- The person in the middle will be blindfolded (and spun)
- He/She will approach someone, then will have to guess who that person is through requesting they make the sound of a certain animal (Etc. "What sound does a cow make")
- The game proceeds with someone else being blindfolded
2b. Dog and Bone (David)
- The group will be split into two teams, on either side with a 'bone' in the center
- The members of each group will number themselves off
- The Gamemaster will continue by shouting a number(s) (Through an equation/ Just the number)
- The members whose number corresponds with the number shouted will run for the bone, pick it up, and return to their side of the field
- If in possession of the bone, and is tapped, the person will have to drop the bone and is eliminated
- Once back to their side of the field with the 'bone' in hand, a point is scored
2c. Toxic Waste
- Two separate teams will have two buckets/pails each
- One pail will be filled with water and ping pong balls, the other empty
- Every member of the group will be attached to a plastic cup/mug with the use of raffia string
- The aim is the get from the end with the empty pail, to the one which is filled, collect a ping pong ball into the cup/mug without touching the cup, and deposit it back at the empty pail
- The game will be controlled with a time limit, After time is up, the team with more ping pong balls in the empty pail wins
7. Final points
I will be sending out a message soon regarding Yalpha.
Basically, the message will be about you availability on either Thursday/Friday to get the logistics,
Whether or not you are confirmed coming on Saturday and the number of friends you're bringing,
And lastly, Whether or not you are okay with being a Gamemaster for one/two of the games.
p.s. If there is any error in the post, please feel free to correct me. You can also contact me if you have any queries but I might take a while to reply =x
Remember to keep praying for the friends you want to bring along, as well as for the event itself!(:
Marcus
Friday, June 24, 2011
Update
Oh well, somewhere in between waiting for Marcus to post a few slightly (ahem) embarrassing videos and dawdling during the holidays (also due to my laziness) this blog has startlingly(or rather, unsurprisingly) fallen stagnant for more than a month.
Lastly but not leastly. Uh. Last but not least, Germaine has finished her tour of duty or whatever you call it in Xi An and is now in Hong Kong, doing some, touristing or visiting a friend, whichever you prefer. She will be back next week, thursday at about 730pm. Anyone free then?
Feeling guilty however I decided to post, not that I have much to post anyway.
In fact I have nothing.
Except a few pieces of information that anyone reading should know already.
But heck, lets have them anyway.
First up, youth alpha is coming, and I suppose we all should be inviting a few people here and there, and praying for those that we find it hard to invite, and for those that we don't find it hard to invite as well actually..
Um, cg this Saturday if I'm not horribly misinformed somewhere along the line should be in Germaine's house in admiralty. So we should be meeting at Admiralty station tomorrow at 2.15 if nothing goes horribly wrong. Yay.
Lastly but not leastly. Uh. Last but not least, Germaine has finished her tour of duty or whatever you call it in Xi An and is now in Hong Kong, doing some, touristing or visiting a friend, whichever you prefer. She will be back next week, thursday at about 730pm. Anyone free then?
So thats it for now, and I hope that none of you have keeled over at my horrible misguided attempts at keyboard humour, Cheers.
Ian
Monday, May 23, 2011
Matthew 16:24
Good day! :)
I was just thinking of this verse:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24
Clarke's commentary on this verse:
Will come after me - i.e. to be my disciple. This discourse was intended to show Peter and the rest of the disciples the nature of his kingdom; and that the honor that cometh from the world was not to be expected by those who followed Christ.
The principles of the Christian life are:
1. To have a sincere desire to belong to Christ - If any man be willing to be my disciple, etc.
2. To renounce self-dependence, and selfish pursuits - Let him deny himself.
3. To embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet with in walking the Christian road - Let him take up His Cross.
4. To imitate Jesus, and do and suffer all in his spirit - Let him follow Me.
"The honour that comes from the world was not to be expected by those who followed Christ."
I think sometimes we (or at least myself) can get too caught up in trying to find approval from the world.
We want to have people like us, we want to be "accepted" by society, etc.
And sometimes we tend to rely too much on what other people think, but ultimately the "honour" that comes from the world is absolutely, 100%, worthless compared to the honour we'll receive on Judgment Day for living the Christian life, and living it well.
Yes, it's so easy to value the world's opinion because gratification is immediate.
If we behave a certain way (despite the fact that it may not be pleasing to God), we get acceptance from certain groups of people.
As much as acceptance by the world feels good, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and to follow Him.
On Judgment Day we're going to have to account for all our actions, and all of us stumble at some point, but do we really want to tell God that we behaved a certain way because we valued the world's opinion over God's opinion?
Ultimately (as hard as it is to practise), Christianity isn't about ourselves, it's about God's will, plan and purpose for the world.
Hope you guys have a good week ahead!
Let's all make a conscious effort to choose what God desires over what our sinful nature may desire sometimes, shall we? :)
Love,
Nadia
(If you guys want to read more I got the commentary from here!)
I was just thinking of this verse:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24
Clarke's commentary on this verse:
Will come after me - i.e. to be my disciple. This discourse was intended to show Peter and the rest of the disciples the nature of his kingdom; and that the honor that cometh from the world was not to be expected by those who followed Christ.
The principles of the Christian life are:
1. To have a sincere desire to belong to Christ - If any man be willing to be my disciple, etc.
2. To renounce self-dependence, and selfish pursuits - Let him deny himself.
3. To embrace the condition which God has appointed, and bear the troubles and difficulties he may meet with in walking the Christian road - Let him take up His Cross.
4. To imitate Jesus, and do and suffer all in his spirit - Let him follow Me.
"The honour that comes from the world was not to be expected by those who followed Christ."
I think sometimes we (or at least myself) can get too caught up in trying to find approval from the world.
We want to have people like us, we want to be "accepted" by society, etc.
And sometimes we tend to rely too much on what other people think, but ultimately the "honour" that comes from the world is absolutely, 100%, worthless compared to the honour we'll receive on Judgment Day for living the Christian life, and living it well.
Yes, it's so easy to value the world's opinion because gratification is immediate.
If we behave a certain way (despite the fact that it may not be pleasing to God), we get acceptance from certain groups of people.
As much as acceptance by the world feels good, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and to follow Him.
On Judgment Day we're going to have to account for all our actions, and all of us stumble at some point, but do we really want to tell God that we behaved a certain way because we valued the world's opinion over God's opinion?
Ultimately (as hard as it is to practise), Christianity isn't about ourselves, it's about God's will, plan and purpose for the world.
Hope you guys have a good week ahead!
Let's all make a conscious effort to choose what God desires over what our sinful nature may desire sometimes, shall we? :)
Love,
Nadia
(If you guys want to read more I got the commentary from here!)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Prayers
Dear all,
I am posting this on behalf of Wee Theng, its a list of friends and relatives that people in the cg today wrote down whose salvation they would like to pray for. I guess as a cg we should and can help each other to pray for these people, who we hold close to our hearts:
Su
Ying Jie
Wang Shen
Jun Yong
Jun Quan
Manfred
Ben
Giem Teck
Syaza
Li Ying
Khoon Hwee
Hanyu
Terence
Michelle
Zann
You Kuan
Zoey
Ming Jie
Shrey
Shadman
Jovi
Soham
Jun An
Hui Yi
Naowed
Daryl
Chandra
Momo
Kuan Wei
Jing Wen
Ci Hui
Mich
Leen
Saman
Sean
Also family members:
Wee Theng's mother - Lim Soo Khim
father - Tan Kee Chai
and brother - Tan Wee Seng
My very own father - Terence Teoh
And also mentioned but not in name, but no less important, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties and cousins of various people in the cg.
I am so terribly sorry if I have made any errors in the list above. Feel free to edit and add any names that you wish if I, or you have missed any out.
May we never forget these people and never give up on them, no matter how tough it may get. I pray that we will keep praying for them, and that God will give us the strength, wisdom and courage to do what we need in order to win them for Christ.
Amen.
-Ian
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
The evangelistic message
1. God
- Who He is, His standards
- God created us and has an absolute claim on us
2. Sin
- Man's rebellion (Our rejection of Him as God)
- We sin continually and are sinners by nature
- Sin is an offence against God and has disrupted our relationship with Him
- Nothing we do ourselves can put us right with God again
- We will have to face judgement and punishment for sin
- The emphasis of the gospel is not about making one's life better, but rather, restoring our relationship with God
3. Christ
A. The person of Christ
- Jesus was the son of God, risen Lord and perfect saviour
B. The work of Christ
- Jesus became man
- Lived a blameless life
- Died on the cross as an atonement for the sins of those who receive Him
- Raised and ascended to heaven
We must be careful to present BOTH the person of Jesus Christ as well as his work. Man is called to believe both upon Him and His work.
4. A summons to faith and repentance
- Both faith and repentance are acts, not just feelings
- Faith: casting oneself completely on Christ and the promise of mercy he gives to believers
- Repentance: A change of mind and heart with a new life of denying self and serving God instead
- Conversion can be called a turning: away from sin and to Christ
- We must accept Christ as both saviour and Lord
- Who He is, His standards
- God created us and has an absolute claim on us
2. Sin
- Man's rebellion (Our rejection of Him as God)
- We sin continually and are sinners by nature
- Sin is an offence against God and has disrupted our relationship with Him
- Nothing we do ourselves can put us right with God again
- We will have to face judgement and punishment for sin
- The emphasis of the gospel is not about making one's life better, but rather, restoring our relationship with God
3. Christ
A. The person of Christ
- Jesus was the son of God, risen Lord and perfect saviour
B. The work of Christ
- Jesus became man
- Lived a blameless life
- Died on the cross as an atonement for the sins of those who receive Him
- Raised and ascended to heaven
We must be careful to present BOTH the person of Jesus Christ as well as his work. Man is called to believe both upon Him and His work.
4. A summons to faith and repentance
- Both faith and repentance are acts, not just feelings
- Faith: casting oneself completely on Christ and the promise of mercy he gives to believers
- Repentance: A change of mind and heart with a new life of denying self and serving God instead
- Conversion can be called a turning: away from sin and to Christ
- We must accept Christ as both saviour and Lord
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
5 Things We Can Mistake for Evangelism
1) Imposition
We mistakenly take evangelism to be manipulation. But that's what the world says. In truth, we're not trying to impose our beliefs on anybody. Biblically, we can't impose our beliefs on anybody. Force and coercion cannot finally bring about the change that God demands. You can't expand Christianity by the sword. Evangelism is not some sort of intellectual imposition.
To believe that something is true and to share that with others is not coercion. We don't impose when we evangelize. We freely offer it to all and do not, cannot, force it on anybody.
2) Personal Testimony
A personal testimony is a wonderful thing. The Bible is full of examples of it, and we should testify to the wonderful experience of receiving God's mercy.
But consider John 9 and the man born blind. He gives his testimony but doesn't even know who Jesus is. His words glorify God, but they don't present the gospel. This is not evangelism.
Unless you're explicit about Jesus Christ and the cross then it is not the gospel.
3) Social Action / Public Involvement
Mercy ministries display God's kindness, and they are good and appropriate for the Christian to do. But such actions are not evangelism. They may commend the gospel to others, but only if someone has told them the gospel. They need to have the gospel added to them. Helping others or doing our jobs well, whatever they are, in and of themselves are not evangelism.
4) Apologetics
Apologetics are valuable, but they have their own set of dangers. You can get bogged down in talking about purely intellectual or peripheral matters and never get to the gospel.
It's fine for us to talk with unbelieving friends about questions that they have, but our attempts to try and answer them without setting the gospel as the foundation does no good. Jesus must set the agenda for evangelism.
5) The Results of Evangelism
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Note that the same ministry has two different effects. It's like the parable of the soil: same seed, different results.
We cannot finally judge the correctness of what we do by the immediate response that we get. The need for numbers puts an unnecessary stress on pastors and misunderstands the way that God saves.
We must practice our ministries realizing that some of us will be like Adoniram Judson or William Carey, who had no converts until after seven years of faithful gospel ministry. It's a fact that most people don't believe the gospel the first time they hear it.
Don't let the gospel that you preach be molded by what it is that gets an immediate response. Preach the gospel, trying to persuade--pleading for your hearers to believe--but knowing that you cannot convert a person. And then let God do with it what he will. He alone can call the dead to life. The gospel is powerful, and God is committed to using us to spread this good news.
Source: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/5-things-that-arent-evangelism
We mistakenly take evangelism to be manipulation. But that's what the world says. In truth, we're not trying to impose our beliefs on anybody. Biblically, we can't impose our beliefs on anybody. Force and coercion cannot finally bring about the change that God demands. You can't expand Christianity by the sword. Evangelism is not some sort of intellectual imposition.
To believe that something is true and to share that with others is not coercion. We don't impose when we evangelize. We freely offer it to all and do not, cannot, force it on anybody.
2) Personal Testimony
A personal testimony is a wonderful thing. The Bible is full of examples of it, and we should testify to the wonderful experience of receiving God's mercy.
But consider John 9 and the man born blind. He gives his testimony but doesn't even know who Jesus is. His words glorify God, but they don't present the gospel. This is not evangelism.
Unless you're explicit about Jesus Christ and the cross then it is not the gospel.
3) Social Action / Public Involvement
Mercy ministries display God's kindness, and they are good and appropriate for the Christian to do. But such actions are not evangelism. They may commend the gospel to others, but only if someone has told them the gospel. They need to have the gospel added to them. Helping others or doing our jobs well, whatever they are, in and of themselves are not evangelism.
4) Apologetics
Apologetics are valuable, but they have their own set of dangers. You can get bogged down in talking about purely intellectual or peripheral matters and never get to the gospel.
It's fine for us to talk with unbelieving friends about questions that they have, but our attempts to try and answer them without setting the gospel as the foundation does no good. Jesus must set the agenda for evangelism.
5) The Results of Evangelism
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Note that the same ministry has two different effects. It's like the parable of the soil: same seed, different results.
We cannot finally judge the correctness of what we do by the immediate response that we get. The need for numbers puts an unnecessary stress on pastors and misunderstands the way that God saves.
We must practice our ministries realizing that some of us will be like Adoniram Judson or William Carey, who had no converts until after seven years of faithful gospel ministry. It's a fact that most people don't believe the gospel the first time they hear it.
Don't let the gospel that you preach be molded by what it is that gets an immediate response. Preach the gospel, trying to persuade--pleading for your hearers to believe--but knowing that you cannot convert a person. And then let God do with it what he will. He alone can call the dead to life. The gospel is powerful, and God is committed to using us to spread this good news.
Source: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/5-things-that-arent-evangelism
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lady Gaga - Judas
I had the great misfortune of hearing of the song Judas from Lloyd, who told me he was horrified at the lyrics. I went to search for it myself and yep... I see why he had that reaction to the song. So Gaga basically sings about how in love with Judas she is and wants to do things like washing his feet with her hair. See the reference?
I think we really need to be careful about the kind of things we listen to, and even associate ourselves with. I know it may seem a bit extreme to avoid a certain artist just because of 1 song which mocks our faith, but really... how can you allow a saviour who gave his life for you be "cheapened and degraded" in such a way? I cannot stomach it.
I hope we can all start to be more discerning about the kind of artistes we admire. What sort of associations do they bear? What kind of values do they promote? What sort of songs do they sing? Remember our call to be "blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation". Our friends are watching us closely. Are we being witnesses and testimonies of Christ?
I think it's time to take a stand for our God.
I think we really need to be careful about the kind of things we listen to, and even associate ourselves with. I know it may seem a bit extreme to avoid a certain artist just because of 1 song which mocks our faith, but really... how can you allow a saviour who gave his life for you be "cheapened and degraded" in such a way? I cannot stomach it.
I hope we can all start to be more discerning about the kind of artistes we admire. What sort of associations do they bear? What kind of values do they promote? What sort of songs do they sing? Remember our call to be "blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation". Our friends are watching us closely. Are we being witnesses and testimonies of Christ?
I think it's time to take a stand for our God.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Psalm 139
There are days when I just feel too tired or too ashamed to face God. So I try to put off making things right with Him; I try to hide. Well, of course we know we can't actually hide from God. It's kinda like the ostrich with the head in the sand. We think that just because we don't see Him, He's not there. Doesn't quite work like that.
A while back, I was trying to avoid God yet again, when this psalm came to mind. And I just prayed for forgiveness immediately. So now, I'm trying to memorise this Psalm in case my unfaithful heart ever decides to go into hiding again. It's a beautiful Psalm, a reminder that we can never flee from God...
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Feedback about CG
Yesterday we spent sometime reflecting on the things that we liked about CG, and the areas we felt we really needed to work on. Below is the list we came up with. I'm glad everyone shared honestly. Hopefully now that we've laid them out, we can really keep ourselves (and each other) in check, and really strive to improve things. As I mentioned, coming for Cg is not just about receiving but giving as well. We come to learn and teach, to be cared for and to encourage. I've been praying for us, that God will reveal our weaknesses and give us the power to improve on them. Do pray along with me.
Things we like about CG:
The fellowship, dinners, outings and games
Being able to share with one another
Bible study is deeper, more meaningful, applicable and there's always something new to learn
Worship sessions
Members are fun and interesting
Things we dislike about CG:
Cliques (though slightly better now)
Noise at inappropriate times
The irregular attendance
Spiritual state of the CG doesn't seem as good as it should be for long-term Christians as ourselves
How we place other things before Christ
Lack of heart for evangelism
We are not serious enough about God
We don't approach other people (people outside our cliques or new people) and talk to them more
Bible Study can sometimes be dry
Our attitude towards God (like our conduct)
Our attitude towards Bible study
Friday, April 15, 2011
Evangelism
Evangelism is something that I'm starting to feel more and more strongly about. I wish I had caught the passion earlier, in my secondary school days. There's so much I would have done differently then. I would have tried to be a better example of Christ, to care more for those who were the "outcasts". I wish I could have been a better instrument for God in winning souls to Him.
How can we not care about the souls beside us that are perishing? We need to reflect on how we've been living our lives. Are all our ambition and goals worldly ones? We need to realise how temporal everything is and learn to refocus everything on God. A real Christian dies to himself the moment he receives Christ. This is what it means for us to carry our cross. We die to self-centredness.
I am excited for youth alpha and the potential that it has. But there's no point in me being excited if no one is going to do anything. Everyone needs to catch the passion for the lost. I am really hoping and praying that as a CG, we can humbly come before God and present ourselves to be used by Him in evangelism.
So the quetion is: have you been praying for the friends you're thinking of inviting?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Answers book
Monday, March 21, 2011
A date by the reservoir
It was nice. Can we do it again sometime? Oh yea. I'm sentimental like that.
Thanks for the photos Marcus. I absolutely love them. You shall be our designated CG photographer. Says I.
Thanks for the photos Marcus. I absolutely love them. You shall be our designated CG photographer. Says I.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Chee ko peh cookies
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