THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

(Hebrews 13: 5, 6)
Message by Pastor Lee Kuan Ming on 29 July 2000

HEBREWS 13:5,6

Keep your live free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid what can man do to me?”
In Hebrews 12:28 we are exhorted to worship and serve God acceptably. A life of contentment is a life of worshiping and serving God acceptably. In Hebrews 13:5,6 we learn the secret of living a life of complete contentment and satisfaction. Read Full Entry

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

(Joshua 10:29 – 12:24)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 22nd 23rd July 2000

Through the rest of chapter 10 and on into chapters 11 and 12, Joshua completes the major part of the conquest. These chapters contain a true story of battle after battle. In them we see a fascinating spiritual parallel with the Christian life today. It is important that we study how God worked in ancient times not to become knowledgeable historians but so as to discover how He works in contemporary times.
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YOUR WORK: SURVIVAL OR SATISFACTION? (PSL) – PART 2

A Message by Rev. Dr. Stanley Lim on 8th & 9th July 2000

INTRODUCTION

“One person endowed with passion and purpose can make an enormous difference.” Our job or our work can either be a blessing or a curse. But not many of us can really comprehend that our job and work can really flourish because of our right understanding of our existence and purpose of being placed there. Let’s look at the View of Work in the New Testament this morning.

Work is assumed in the New Testament to be a normal mode of life for everyone. None of the Old Testament concepts are repeated, but all are emphasized, with additional stress on the person’s attitude toward his job and employer. So even in the context grace, there is no escaping the responsibility of work. In fact, now it is not just work, but how well one does his job.

Let’s consider the key principles on the view of work in the New Testament.
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TURNING TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH

Joshua 7, 8
Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh 1st & 2nd July 2000

The ominous word “but” that introduces Josh. 7 is a signal that things are going to change, for Joshua is about to descend from the mountaintop of victory at Jericho to the valley of defeat at Ai. In this experience, he teaches us what causes defeat and how we must handle the discouragement and tragedies of life.

I. THE WAY DOWN IS UP! (7:1-5, 16-26)

1. THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN BROUGHT DOWN A NATION! (7:1, 16-21)
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DECEPTION, GULLIBILITY AND INTEGRITY (PVL)

(Joshua 9:1-10:28)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 15th & 16th May 2000

The first two verses of Joshua 9 describe the kings, who were in the hill country of Judea and the lowland all along the Mediterranean Coast, entering into an alliance to fight against Joshua.

However, a few miles north of Jerusalem, several Hivite towns, coordinated by the leaders of Gibeon, concluded that it was better to give in than fight. Fearful of annihilation, either through defeat in battle or by straightforward surrender, they worked out a crafty strategy that became a classic case of deception.

I. DECEPTION
(9:1-13)

1. Lies, Lies, Lies

• The Lies of Gibeonites (:3-13). Of all liars “religious liars” are the worst (:9).
• The Lie of Satan (John 8:44).
• Last Days Deception (2 Pet.2:1-3).

2. Areas of Deception

• Intellectual
• Business
• Marriages

Scriptural Examples: Jacob, David, Ananias and Sappira

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THE QUALITIES OF THE MILLENIUM MOM (PIL)

(Proverbs 31:10-31)
A Message by Rev Irene Lim on 14th May 2000
 
Happy Mother’s Day!

Picture Source: www.wonderfulcliparts.com

The Jews have a sweet saying that “God could not be everywhere, so He made mothers.”

Certainly you mothers appreciate the truth in that statement – and the rest of us as well, for we’ve seen you in action. Washington Irving wrote, “The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes – it never tires – it endures through all, in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world’s condemnation, a mother’s love still lives on.”

The house is dull and cold when mother is absent. Her presence means comfort, joy, help and love.

Mothers deserve to be honored throughout our lives. It is a shame that we only reserve one day out of the year to honor you. Today, as we mark that day, we do honor and salute you.

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YOUR WORK: SURVIVAL OR SATISFACTION (PSL)

Message by Rev Dr Stanley Lim
 
In your lifetime you will spend about 40% of your waking hours in your work. Will those hours be spent in frustration or fulfillment?

This depends largely on how you fit your work into the totality of your life.

I really do not know about your present work situation. Perhaps you are in a happy situation, problem free or maybe you are struggling daily with moral and spiritual survival. Nevertheless, everyone who works for a living will go through some phases of survival as well as satisfaction.

Being a Christian does not exempt us from having problems. Maybe you have heard someone saying to you that if you are a Christian you are supposed to enjoy life and not have the problems and concerns common to the world. That is good theory, but in reality it is obvious that Christians also have fears, unpaid bills, conflicts on the job, consuming ambition to get ahead, a thirst for greater financial freedom, or just a “little” taste of the luxuries of life.

Many questions and issues confront Christians in secular jobs:

• What can I do when I do not like my work but cannot change because of educational or financial restrictions?
• How can I do well in my work without “selling my soul” to the company?
• I feel guilty working at a secular job when I know I could be on the mission field. I get convicted whenever I attend a missions conference. What should I do?
• My work is so demanding that it takes 15 or 20 extra hours a week just to keep up. It is hurting my family, but how can I refuse to do what my boss asks of me?
• Is there anything wrong with working hard to get nice things for the family?
• Is there anything wrong with being “just a housewife”?
• I am “just” a factory worker. What good am I to the kingdom of God?
• I have been to several family seminars and am deeply convicted about my relationship to my family. But still I have to put bread on the table. How can I achieve a balance?

Before looking at the Christian view of work, we need to ask whether there is a Christian view of society. The Bible teaches several things about human society.

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IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE (PVL)

(Joshua 6:1-27)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 7th May 2000
 
Have you been saying: “Life doesn’t make sense?” You are right, it doesn’t.

I. WHEN GOD’S STRATEGY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE (6:1-20)

1. LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS-EVEN WHEN IT DEFIES LOGIC (:1-5)
It was no ordinary strategy. What God was about to command Joshua to do was strange indeed compared to the battle techniques he had used on previous occasions. It would appear to be a ridiculous and bizarre battle plan. See. Isa.55:8-9.

Hudson Taylor: 3 different ways to serve the Lord
- to make the best plans we can and hope they succeed
- to make our own plans and ask God to bless them or
- to ask God for His plans and then do what He tells us to do.

2. OBEY-EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND (:6-15)
The guiding principle for Joshua was that once the mind of God was indicated, there was nothing for him to do than to obey. The fact is that Joshua didn’t play religious games. He believed God and was willing to act on God’s instructions. No matter how foolish he would look, he was prepared to do what God wanted him to do. It is straightforward trust and obedience that has enabled God’s people through all history to make a difference.

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HIS FINAL WALK (PVL)

(Matthew 20 – 28)
A Multimedia Easter Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh 23rd April 2000

There are twelve separate appearance of Christ recorded in scripture after His resurrection. In the four Gospels, 28 of the 89 chapters are given to consider the last week of Jesus’  life, death and resurrection. During this last week of the Savior’s earthly ministry I have noticed what I consider Christ’s Final Walk – amazing events that happened not accidentally but according to the precise timing and perfect plan of God. I want to share with you today, “His Final Walk”.

So let’s take a walk. His walk. His final walk. We shall follow his steps and stand in his shadow.

We watch him walk – Purposefully to Jerusalem… Angrily into the Temple… Wearily into Gethsemane… Painfully up the Via Dolorosa… Powerfully out of the vacated tomb… and Triumphantly into Heaven.

I. HIS FINAL WALK FROM JERICHO TO JERUSALEM – FRIDAY
“They will give the Son of Man to the non-Jewish people to laugh at him and beat him with whips and crucify him. But on the third day, he will be raised to life again.” (Matthew 20:19)

It was this walk that promised you freedom.

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DIFFERENT AND DEVOTED (PVL)

(Joshua 5)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh 16th April 2000

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!
“…that you may know that the Lord does put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (Exo.11:7)

“And that you may put a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean…” (Lev.10:10)

“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean” (Ezek.22:26)

The world is dying to see people who are different, to observe someone who has an alternative. So, what’s the Difference between Believers and nonbelievers?

I. DEMONSTRATE BIBLICAL STANDARDS OF MORALITY AND CONDUCT
(Joshua 5:1-9)

A Whole New Generation Had Not Been Circumcised!

Rite of Circumcision (5:1-9)
Through the ritual the Jews became a “marked and separated people” because they belonged to the true and living God. The mark of the covenant reminded them that their bodies belonged to the Lord and were not to be used for sinful purpose.

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