Tuesday 28 June 2016

Matthew 14: Who is Jesus? By Ho Kings Swee dated 26.6.16



Introduction
For the past several weeks, various speakers had preached on the Book of Ecclesiastes exploring the meaning of life.  If we do not have God, life is meaningless, according to Solomon, “chasing after the wind”.
This sermon is based on Matthew Chapter 14.
      1.       The Execution of John the Baptist (14:1-12)
John the Baptist was in prison. Prior to that Herod had been listening to him because he preached the truth. Herod dare not do anything to him because he was afraid of the crowds.
If you ask people who is Jesus? People may answer, he is a great teacher like any one of other faiths.  But no, He is the Son of God.  Do not be deceived.  It is a life long journey to know Him.  John the Baptist feared God, but Herod feared only man.  John the Baptist clearly prepared the way for Jesus, The Messiah.
Why Jesus did not save John? Why did he died young?  But these are God’s purposed not ours.  John fulfilled the purposes designed by God for preparing for the coming of Jesus.

      2.       Jesus withdrew to a deserted place ( 14:13-36)
             a)       Jesus fed the 5000 ( 4:13-21) – this was recorded in the four Gospels.
Jesus had compassion for the crowd.  He also felt for John in a human way.
Jesus is the one who provide all our needs – He has no needs.
Jesus prayed alone V.23 – Jesus prayed even though He has no need, therefore we must pray even more.  God instructed us to pray unceasingly.
Jesus walked on the water and Peter asked to join Him. Jesus called him to come to Him. But when he saw the winds, he was afraid and sank.  Peter was not fully settled/rested on the Lord. The storm did not cease, Jesus was holding on to Peter.
It is for us to pursue passionately who truly is Jesus.  We must keep coming to Jesus
and touch Him!
Application
Be passionate to know intimately who truly is Jesus.  It is not enough to know about Him, but to know Him intimately.  This is what we are supposed to do.

Friday 3 June 2016

Ecclesiastes Chapters 7 & 8 by Tiong Tung Hui dated 29.5.2016



Introduction
Ecclesiastes is basically a Book of wisdom.  Essentially a Book for instructions and successful living.
The wisdom literature comprises of: Job, Song of Solomon, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
The Book of Ecclesiastes attempted to look at the meaning of life.  All these wisdom books were written by Solomon.  Probably Song of Solomon was written when he was a young man, Proverbs probably during his middle age, and Ecclesiastes probably written when he was an old man.
King Solomon accomplished a tremendous amount of things in his life time.  He was a preacher, teacher, and also a King.  When God granted him a wish, he wished for wisdom instead of riches.  Indeed he was a very wise King.  He ruled Israel for 40 years.  He had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  It was mind blogging how he was able to manage his family with so many wives!
He said life was meaningless, chasing after the wind.  He appeared to be melancholic, sad and depressed.  From chapter 1 to 6, he described life as meaningless.  In Chapter 7 he changed his tone, but it was about human limitations.
Why study Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes 7:1-12
New International Version (NIV)
Better
A good name vs Perfumes
Day of death vs Day of birth
House of mourning vs House of feasting
Sorrow vs Laughter
Rebuke of wise man vs Song of fools
End vs Beginning
Patience vs Pride
Ecclesiastes 7:13-29
New International Version (NIV)
V 13-14                 Wisdom to rest in what God is doing
V 15-18                 Avoid depending on your righteousness (not karma)
V 19-24                 Wisdom is valuable but inadequate
V 25-29                 True righteousness and true wisdom non-existent
Be careful of what we do in life, be aware of God’s judgement. Wisdom will help us to decide, give us strength to guard the City.  Do not be easily offended.  Keep away from sexual immorality.
Ecclesiastes 8
New International Version (NIV)
V 1          Wisdom changes us
V 2-5,9    Wisdom to deal with authority
V 5-6       Wisdom and timing
V 7-8       Wisdom and uncertainty
Ecclesiastes 8
New International Version (NIV)
V 10-14   Wisdom and wickedness
V 15         Wisdom and joy
V 16-17   Trust God
Even to this day, Ecclesiastes is applicable to our modern living.
Man cannot understand everything.  Even if we do not understand can we trust God?