Recently there has been a series of high profile personalities being exposed for their sinful indiscretions. They are people at the top of their professions and greatly idolised by many. But when they fall from the pedestal, they are quickly condemned and rejected by these same set of worshipers. People never seem to have enough of the juicy stories and are 'Google-ing' for more. It's just like a feeding frenzy in a pool of hungry pirahnas!
I admit that I too have my own list of fallen heroes! People that I admire (especially when they claim to be Christians!) who failed to live up to my expectations. We may console ourselves that we are not like them and that as Christians we don't do the kind of things that they do. We may even judge them. Yes, I know that we are not supposed to do that!
The question is: Are we capable of doing some of these things like violence, lying, infidelity and cheating? How should we treat those who have fallen? How then would you like to be treated when you fall from grace? Let me know what you think!
March 11, 2010
March 10, 2010
Being God's Temple
Do you know that the local church is God's temple? (1 Cor. 3:16-17) This temple is the dwelling place of God's Spirit and it is sacred or holy. The Greek word for holy is hagios, which has the idea of separation, consecration and devotion to the service of God, sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earth's defilement.
God is so protective of the temple that a serious warning was given against those who destroy God's temple. In the church at Corinth, there were some people inside the church that seem to be moving towards this destructive path as evidenced by their arrogance, divisions, jealousy and quarreling (ch. 1:10-3:15) They were pursuing human wisdom rather than God's wisdom in trying to build the church.
The truth is: You are God's temple. What does it mean then for the church to be God's temple, indwelt by the God's Spirit today? How do we live holy lives as a community of God's people without making the mistakes of the church at Corinth? Think about this and feel free to give me your opinions.
God is so protective of the temple that a serious warning was given against those who destroy God's temple. In the church at Corinth, there were some people inside the church that seem to be moving towards this destructive path as evidenced by their arrogance, divisions, jealousy and quarreling (ch. 1:10-3:15) They were pursuing human wisdom rather than God's wisdom in trying to build the church.
The truth is: You are God's temple. What does it mean then for the church to be God's temple, indwelt by the God's Spirit today? How do we live holy lives as a community of God's people without making the mistakes of the church at Corinth? Think about this and feel free to give me your opinions.
March 4, 2010
Should Churches Be as Friendly as a Bar?
I came across an article recently by Mark Galli in Christianity Today with the above title. Apparently a survey was done in the USA in trying to determine where the churches rank in comparison with other 'around town' avenues. Restaurants, bars and pubs were rated as the best places to meet people beating churches. But not by too much: 18% vs 16%. Why do people go to church? Is it because it is a friendly place or just out of religious obligation?
Think: Why do you go (or not go) to church? If you want a fun and friendly place, would the church be the first place on your mind? People go to bars and pubs for care-free and casual conversations. Should churches (or our church) then be as friendly as a bar? Let me know what you think.
Ps. Ben
Think: Why do you go (or not go) to church? If you want a fun and friendly place, would the church be the first place on your mind? People go to bars and pubs for care-free and casual conversations. Should churches (or our church) then be as friendly as a bar? Let me know what you think.
Ps. Ben
March 2, 2010
The Day of the Lord
We have already had two major earthquakes in 2010. Will there be any more? I think the answer is a likely YES! We cannot prevent them but if we can have some early signs or warnings it may help save some lives. Well that is what the experts are trying to do all these years but much success. The question that may concern others who are looking for signs for the return of Jesus Christ will be: "Is this the Day of the Lord?" or the Day of Judgement?
Jesus has this to say about earthquakes and other signs: "all these are the beginning of birth pangs" (Matt. 24:8) The duration of labour pains varies. One thing we learn from the prophet Joel is that the Day of the Lord is going to be certain and a whole lot worse than the birth pangs! He describes it as "destruction from the Almighty" (Joel 1:15); "close at hand" (Joel 2:1); "it is dreadful. Who can endure it?" (Joel 2:15); "great and dreadful" (Joel 2"31); "near in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:14)
Well at least for some people. Like earthquakes our focus has always been on the destruction, pain and loss. I think our focus should be on the salvation that comes that comes when we call on the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32) Disasters like earthquakes are warning signs meant to lead us back to the Lord. The people of God in Joel's time faced the locust hordes that devastated the land. But God gave them a second chance to humble ourselves and return with all our heart (Joel 2:12) This call came from the God who is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love" (Joel 2:13)
"Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing" (Joel 2:14) They repented and God relented them from further destruction and restored their losses. The Day of the Lord is also a day when "the mountain will drip new wine.." (Joel 3:18) It will be a day of joy for those who have been delivered! The Lord is in the midst and He now dwells amongst His people. Is there then anything to fear? Is there anything that can ever separate His people from the love of God?
May the Lord bring comfort to your soul in your hour of trial.
Ps Ben
Jesus has this to say about earthquakes and other signs: "all these are the beginning of birth pangs" (Matt. 24:8) The duration of labour pains varies. One thing we learn from the prophet Joel is that the Day of the Lord is going to be certain and a whole lot worse than the birth pangs! He describes it as "destruction from the Almighty" (Joel 1:15); "close at hand" (Joel 2:1); "it is dreadful. Who can endure it?" (Joel 2:15); "great and dreadful" (Joel 2"31); "near in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:14)
Well at least for some people. Like earthquakes our focus has always been on the destruction, pain and loss. I think our focus should be on the salvation that comes that comes when we call on the name of the Lord (Joel 2:32) Disasters like earthquakes are warning signs meant to lead us back to the Lord. The people of God in Joel's time faced the locust hordes that devastated the land. But God gave them a second chance to humble ourselves and return with all our heart (Joel 2:12) This call came from the God who is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love" (Joel 2:13)
"Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing" (Joel 2:14) They repented and God relented them from further destruction and restored their losses. The Day of the Lord is also a day when "the mountain will drip new wine.." (Joel 3:18) It will be a day of joy for those who have been delivered! The Lord is in the midst and He now dwells amongst His people. Is there then anything to fear? Is there anything that can ever separate His people from the love of God?
May the Lord bring comfort to your soul in your hour of trial.
Ps Ben
February 23, 2010
Build to Last
Recently I have been preaching on building strong foundation. First it was about the need to build depth in one's personal spiritual life rather than merely on the external activities. It is so easy and sometimes fun to focus on activities and programmes. But to build depth requires hard and painful work. It takes too long and people do not have patience to see the long term fruits of the labour. We all want fast results! Then I talked about building the church from the expert builder Paul. In building the church, we must never forget that the foundation that is laid is and should be Jesus Christ alone (1 Cor. 3:11) There is no other foundation in which we can build. All the wisdom of this world cannot build the church of Christ.
Paul was an wise master builder who by the grace of God founded the church in Corinth (read Acts 18:1-18). He preached and testified that Jesus was the Christ under great opposition and abuse. But he persevered for 18 months before leaving. Once the foundation was laid, other people came to help build on it. People like Apollos. The warning he gave these builders was that they ought to build carefully. There was a problem with the way the Corinthian Christians were building the church. They seemed to be trying to build on their own wisdom and philosophy rather than that of Christ and Him crucified. They were not building with the right materials. Materials that are durable (gold, silver & costly stones) and lasting enough to withstand the test of fire. Materials that will be compatible with the foundation.
But how often when we look at the church today we seem to associate it with certain big personalities, big programmes or big buildings. But will the work last beyond what people see? We have already seen for ourselves how buildings can so easily be destroyed overnight. The question is not about size - big or small. It is one about durability whether the work we do will really last and remain on that Day?
Yes, only time will tell. Sometimes in this lifetime but most certainly on that Day. That Day is the Day of Judgement where everyone and everything will eventually be shown for what it truly is. Every work the builders have done in building the church will be tested. There is reward and profit if one passes and loss if one's work gets burned up. The loss is not about one's personal salvation which is by grace and not works. Waiting for that Day may already be too late! Let us build rightly now with the right foundation and materials. What we do must really build the church of Christ. For Christ is the true Head of the Church!
May God's grace and wisdom be upon you.
Ps. Ben
Paul was an wise master builder who by the grace of God founded the church in Corinth (read Acts 18:1-18). He preached and testified that Jesus was the Christ under great opposition and abuse. But he persevered for 18 months before leaving. Once the foundation was laid, other people came to help build on it. People like Apollos. The warning he gave these builders was that they ought to build carefully. There was a problem with the way the Corinthian Christians were building the church. They seemed to be trying to build on their own wisdom and philosophy rather than that of Christ and Him crucified. They were not building with the right materials. Materials that are durable (gold, silver & costly stones) and lasting enough to withstand the test of fire. Materials that will be compatible with the foundation.
But how often when we look at the church today we seem to associate it with certain big personalities, big programmes or big buildings. But will the work last beyond what people see? We have already seen for ourselves how buildings can so easily be destroyed overnight. The question is not about size - big or small. It is one about durability whether the work we do will really last and remain on that Day?
Yes, only time will tell. Sometimes in this lifetime but most certainly on that Day. That Day is the Day of Judgement where everyone and everything will eventually be shown for what it truly is. Every work the builders have done in building the church will be tested. There is reward and profit if one passes and loss if one's work gets burned up. The loss is not about one's personal salvation which is by grace and not works. Waiting for that Day may already be too late! Let us build rightly now with the right foundation and materials. What we do must really build the church of Christ. For Christ is the true Head of the Church!
May God's grace and wisdom be upon you.
Ps. Ben
February 16, 2010
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday (Feb 17) marks the beginning of the season of Lent. This is the period leading to Easter. Traditionally it is a season of prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial. This year it has come right after the Chinese New Year. So the dilemma for Christians whether to feast or fast? The feasting is more than just the many dinners that we have to attend. It is also the time we reexamine ourselves and curb the excesses we have been indulging with our senses. You should know what some of them are! The deeper ones the Lord will show you. So the next forty days can be a good time to humble oneself and put some self-control into place. Ask the Lord what He would like you to do more than you are used to. For example, I bought a booklet to read for my meditation during the season. I haven't given much thought yet what else to do. But I would like to spend more time in prayer and fasting! Possibly attend a conference on the Father Heart of God. May I suggest that you intentionally spare some time and thought to do something different or extra for this season. When your soul prospers the work you do will also prosper. What a way then to celebrate the New Year by being a blessing to others as you are blessed yourself!
Shalom.
Ps. Ben
Shalom.
Ps. Ben
February 2, 2010
We're Googleable!
We are now present on Google Maps Malaysia. So if you were to search for Grace EFC you can now find our location plus some basic details including our contact. What is even more interesting is that they can also get driving directions from a chosen starting point to our location with suggested routes! But as you can see, it is not 100% accurate! So just try it! The next time someone asks you for directions to the church, just ask them to go to Google Maps.
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