Who Is God? - Part 1

The reason why some people are atheistic is because they ask the wrong questions about God. Their usual questions are:Why does God allow so much suffering in the world?Why doesn’t God get rid of all the evil people right away?Why are there so many religions?These questions often get us nowhere. Perhaps we should be asking fundamental questions such as:Who is God?How do I know that He is my Creator? What did He really do for me?How do I know Him?These basic questions with no pre-conceived antagonism against God will open our eyes to the truth.

• Who am I really is?
• What is the meaning and purpose of life?
• Where are we going?
  

2 Common thoughts about God
a. Great but vague, in somewhere up the sky
b. Religions (different movements trying to explian about God)

Christiany teachings:
1. God is not defined by objects
2. We have only once to die and then face the judgement
3. Do good even unto the enemies

Other religions teachings:
1. god are made into objects
2. man has many lives
3. do good to offset evil


How do I know which religon teaching is true?
Key point: The purpose of your life

4-fold purpose of your life
1. To have an intimate replation with the Lord (scriptural reference: Rev 3:20)
2. To be like Him in character (ascriiptural reference: John 14:20)
3. To be like Him in conduct (scriptural reference: Acts 17:28a)
4. To love others like Him (scriptural reference: John 13:34)

Salvation leads to good works
Good works do not lead to salvation

3 components of Man
1. Physical
2. Soul
3. Spirit

The bridge between God and Man - the missing link (Jesus Christ)
Scriptual reference: John 1:1-14)

Truth:
Sin will lead to eternal death, die in condemation, judged

Grace:
The price has been paid. It brings us to heaven. Have our sins forgiven.

Justice:
You have to pay for your sins

Love:
Christ has paid the price

**taken during sermon @Lighthouse Evangelism (preached by Ps Rony Tan) - 17/08/2008

Nattional Day Walk @ Southern Ridges - LE Torchlight

it's national day... it's early... it's fun... it's tiring... it's great...

a walk from Mount Faber to Kent Ridge Rd...

Southern Ridges - Mount Faber Park / Telok Blangah Hill Park / Kent Ridge Park

How to pray for our nation

Scriptural reference:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (New International Version)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Why Christians are able to determine the welfare of the nation?

Scriptural reference:
Matthew 5:13-16 (New International Version)
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

3 Functions of Salt
1. Salt creates thirst for water
2. Salt retards corruption and preserves

3 Ways to function as salt
a. Our exemplary conduct
b. Our extended hands to help
c. Our prayers

Example of Abraham with Lot:
Scriptural reference:
Gen 14:22-23
Gen 18:23-33

2 reasons why Abraham's prayer was not answered
a. Abraham wasn't the citizen of that nation
b. Lot is the citizen but not worth the salt

3. Salt gives flavor
Scriptural reference:
Job 6:6

2 Aspects of flavor
a. Make life more meaningful to those around us
b. Our presence makes the earth acceptable to God


Scriptural reference:
2 Thess 2:3-7 NSAB

4 prayer points for the nation
1. Our national leaders to realise their need for Christ the Saviour and Guide
2. Our younger politicians to uphold the time-tested principles and policies that our nation has practised.
3. Singaporeans continue to vote wisely and not selfishly
4. All Christians to remain salty and shine brightly

*Points taken during sermon preached by Pastor Rony Tan

Pastor Rony With the Singapore Song

情缘

天快黑 情快变
看见红霞燃遍天
黄昏总是最有权
如今还能向谁怨
你我之间不谈缘
说到情缘是否骗
黄昏红霞何处连
此时此刻谁该恋

是否思想应该牵
还是明白梦难圆
早知情缘会缠绵
当初何必管天变
如今天黑不见脸
何必再管他人言

©zhirong (1994/1995)

The Miracle Nation

The Miracle Nation

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New International Version)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth

2 Major Facets:
1. We may be saved
- about individual decision
- 2 possible reasons a person is not saved:
a) Have not heard the gospel
b) Heard but rejected the gospel

2. We may lived a quiet and peaceful life
- It is a national decision to work towards peace and prosperity

2 yardsticks to measure the quality of any government:
1. Freedom to believe in God
2. Security to live a quiet and peaceful life

Singapore History Highlights

1918
Stamford Raffles who work for an East India Company founded (politically) Singapore.

15 Feb 1942
Singapore surrendered to Japanese
2 reasons of the fall:
1. Incompetence leadership
2. Untrained and poorly equipped army

Aug 1945
American bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Sep 1963
The merger of Malaya and Singapore
- The British saw the 2 countries as one
-2 incompatible system of the 2 government

1964
Racial riot erupted

1965
Singapore Independence Day

Singapore not only survived but thrive. What makes Singapore successful?

10 Timeless Principles Of Government Principles
1. Major on building an effective government that delivers on her promises
2. Began with what precious little we have and built on it
3. Progress and work for the common good, regardless of race and religion
4. Strive for consistency and continuity
5. Mindful that we have a narrow margin for errors
6. The political will to implement tough but necessary decision
7. Never allow corruption to be a way of life
8. Given a stake in the country
9. Political culture where only the credible leaders will survive
10. Never forget that we are still small and vulnerable

2 Internal Perils
1. Tendency of our young ignoring the painful lessons we have learnt and adopting the permissive way of life from the west
2. The seduction of the liberal brand of politics, advocating hyper-freedom and hyper-welfare

(A train is free to run, as long as it is on its rail track)


- Taken @ Lighthouse Evangelism (preached by Pastor Rony Tan)


The Singapore Song
(Music and Lyrics by Pastor Rony Tan)

-----------C--------- F----------------- Am
Oh I was born on cold and rainy morn
--------------F-------------- G------------------- C
My mama cried as she held me, frail and small
-------------------Am-----------Em ------------F----------- Am
There was no hope in her eyes as the enemies swept by
---------F------------------ G----------- C
A colony left alone to bleed and die

Oh it was hard to endure pain and tyranny
Beneath the load how we yearned to be free
Then came the day of liberty
When we took our destiny
To build a nation of strong security

-----------G
Singapore
-----------------C
I hear your call
----------G----------------- F--------------- C
All for one and one for all I stand so tall
------------------Am ---------Em
Now that I've finally survive
-----------------F---------- Am
I pledge my heart and life
--------------F------------ G----------------- C
So in this homeland I vow to live and die

Oh We were born after the war peacefully
We've never known great suffering and poverty
But we know our know our father's sacrifice
And what they've left behind
A legacy we hold dear in our lives

Singapore
We hear your call
All for one and one for all We stand so tall
Now that we've finally survive
We pledge my hearts and lives
So in this homeland we vow
to live and die


***the chords were added by myself... not too sure if it is right.... any expert out there to correct me?***




http://www.lighthouse.org.sg/
http://www.ndp.org.sg/

Celebrating The Singapore Spirit - NDP 2008

Happy 43rd Birthday to Singapore

Be Sure Of Your Salvation - 27 Jul 2008

Be Sure of Your Salvation


Hebrews 6:1-12 (New International Version)

1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so.
4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because[b]to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
9Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

1. The challenge to progress
Scriptural Reference: Heb 6:1-3

2. The warning against regress
Scriptural Reference: Heb 6:4-8
Scriptural Reference: Matt 13

3. The signs that assure
Scriptural Reference: Heb 6:9-10

4. The steps that ensure
Scriptural Reference: Heb 6:11-12

- Sermons taken @ Lighthouse Evangelism (Preached by Ps Clarence)