Deuteronomy 8: Exhortation to Remember by Dr. Tiong Tung Hui dated 28.6.15

Dr.Tiong advised that he usually think of 2 Timothy 33:16-17 which says  that (paraphrase) the Word of God is God-breathed and is good for teaching, rebuking etc.  Psalm 119:105-His Word is lamp unto our feet and lamp unto our path.  He said as we look around what is going on in this world, we really need to be reminded of Psalm 119:105.

Exhortation to Remember

The Book of Deuteronomy has a lot of repetitions because God wanted to remind the Israelites.  Moreover, those who came out of Egypt have died.  Moses are facing the new generation who had no experience of the slavery in Egypt.

       1.    Provisions of God

       2.       Dependence on God

The Israelites who left Egypt were taken care by God, manna rained down from the sky, their sandals did not wear out, it was amazing that their legs were not swollen (perhaps evidence of healthy nutrition) from the constant walking.  At night they were led by pillars of fire and during the day led by pillar of smoke.  God led the Israelites for 40 years in the desert.  Preparing them to enter the Promised Land.

Purpose of Wilderness

God wanted to teach the people to be humble by putting them through the wilderness.  While in the wilderness, they were totally dependent on God for all their needs.  Like their foods, God provide manna.  God also wanted to prepare them for things that were to come.  It is important for them to follow God commands.  God’s commands were the standards they have to follow.  Similarly for us today.  

Be Careful to Follow

God reminded the Israelites to be careful to follow God’s commands.  He repeated what He said to them.

Deut 8:7-20

Exhortation not to forget God

God warned the Israelites not to forget Him, otherwise they will be destroyed like the surrounding nations that did not believe in God.  This was a stern and serious warning which we today is also to follow.

Danger of Prosperity

Prosperity is dangerous.  People usually do not come to God until when they are sick.  It is also more difficult for prosperous people to come to God.  Jesus Himself said it was easier for a camel to enter through the eye of the needle than for rich people to enter heaven.  He also said “What is the point to gain the whole world when we lose our souls?” No doubt there is nothing wrong with prosperity, but do not allowed prosperity to control us.  We must have God’s perspective.

Deuteronomy 7 The Secrets of Victory and Success by Gan Tuan Boon dated 7.6.15

In the story of Abraham, God led him from the land of Ur to Haran and subsequently to Canaan. Abraham just obeyed God and followed His instructions.  God gave three promises : 1.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you 2.  Your descendants will occupy Israel.  3.  You will have a son.  At that time, Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old, and he wondered how he was going to have a child.  Later Abraham and Sarah bore Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Jacob had 12 sons.  One of his sons, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt.  He served in the royal household and became powerful.  There was a great famine in Canaan, and Joseph invited his family to move to Egypt. This was where the story of the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.  Later they were led by Moses out of Egypt to wonder in the desert for 40 years where God taught the Israelites. 

The secrets of victory and success

There are three principles.

Principle 1 – Destroy the enemies totally and remove all idols.

The Israelites are to destroy all inhabitants of Canaan and break down all their altars and idols.

Deut. 7:1-2, 5-10, 16-26

(73% of Chapter 7 is devoted to Principle 1)

There are two reasons for the total destruction of the Canaan inhabitants:

a)      God’s righteous judgment against the wickedness of Canaan inhabitants.

b)      Preparation of the spiritual setting for the coming of the Messiah.

Applications for Christians

(a)    Destroy the enemy-- sins in our life.

(b)   Remove all the idols– things in our life that take the place of God.

Principle 2 – Do not be mismatched with unbelievers.

“Do not intermarry with them (Canaan people). Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons” Deu 7:3

Reason: “for they (Canaan people) will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.” (Deut. 7:4)

Principle 3 – Diligently obey the word of God.

Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.

If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors.

(Deut. 7:11-12)

3-Fold Blessing from the Lord

1.       Materials blessing

God will bless the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors .

(Deut. 7:13b)

2.       Physical Blessing

The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.

(Deut. 7:15)

3.       Familial Blessing

He will … increase your number. He will bless the fruit of your womb…  You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless… 

(Deut. 7:13 & 14)

Summary

Principle 1 — Destroy the enemy totally and remove all the idols

Principle 2 — Do not be mismated with unbelievers

Principle 3 — Diligently obey the Word of God

                                                (a) Material Blessing
                                                (b) Physical Blessing

                                                (c) Familial Blessing

Jesus the Good Shepherd by Pastor Mun Heng Au Yong dated 24.5.15

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3

Jesus comfort us and encourages us. 

John 10 Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd

John 10:16   Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Five Fundamentals of Mission

John 10:16  " I have other sheep......"

I. The Basis of mission.

Acts 18…..Paul’s evangelistic ministry at Corinth

vv. 9-10   In Corinth, Jesus said to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

John 10:16 "“...those other sheep that are not  of this sheep pen…”

II. The Scope of Missions

There are 6900 unreached groups with 2.5 billion people!

Pastor illustrated mission withe the story :

1. Old Testament : Story of Jonah

2. New Testament : Cornelius story

What hold back mission today?

Like Jonah : Prejudices? Indifference?

Like Peter : Near-sightedness? Ethnocentric?                   

Pre-occupation with Self?

John 10:16  “.....I must  bring them also……….”

III. The Motivation of Missions

Missions is a “must” with Jesus

Luke 19:10

2 Peter 3:9

1 Tim 2:4

We are not just saved from sin and hell, but we are saved to serve the purposes of God.

John 10:16  “…..They too will listen to my voice….”

IV. The Success of Missions

Rom 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Rom 10:14-15 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

And how can they preach unless they are sent?

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Rom 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

John 10:16 “…..and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.”

V. The Goal of Missions

Rev 7:9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” 

v.11……….they WORSHIPPED

A Passion to See God Glorified and Worshipped Among the Nations

Deuteronomy 5: Life from heaven for life on earth by Dr. Thomas Chung dated 17.5.15

Introduction

There are so many changes around the world, even in our country.  Values appeared to be eroded.  Many atheists claimed that there are no miracles like those stated in the Bible.  But we experienced miracles everyday!  It is indeed by the mercies and graces of God that we can live.  Nowadays people have much information, but that is not enough.  We must have knowledge accompanied by wisdom.

Deuteronomy chapter 5 spelt out The Ten Commandments.  God reminded the people of Himself.  Deu 5:7. Also refer to Romans 8:1.

The finger of God carved the 2 stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments the first time Moses received from God on the mountain.  Moses was angry with the Israelites after he came down from the mountain seeing them worshiping the golden calf than he threw the 2 tablets at them.  The second sets Moses carved the two tablets but God's fingers wrote the Ten Commandments again on the tablets.  All God's people are to obey these Commandments.

In John 14:15 Jesus re-confirmed the need to obey God's Commandments.  Keeping the Ten Commandments is a must and there is no exception. 

Of the Ten Commandments there are 2 "thou shall" and 8 "thous shall not".  Why are there 8 "thou shall not", this is because of man's rebellious nature. 

First four commandments concerned our attitudes and actions towards God.

The next six Commandments are about our actions towards fellow man.

1^st Commandment

There is only One God.  This spoke about the fear of God.  Like the 2 thieves who were crucified together with Jesus.  One mocked Jesus, and another corrected this thief who mocked Jesus saying there were deserving of the death sentence, but Jesus was not deserving because He was sinless.  This thief asked Jesus to remember him in heaven, which Jesus assured him that he will be in heaven with God.  Such was the fear of God.

2^nd Commandment

Idolatry is a abomination to God.  God hates a) idolatry b) injustice to the poor.

3^rd Commandment

God name's is Holy and must not be misused.  The Jews respected God and His name so much that they were not suppose to utter God's name at all.  The word referring to God has no vowel, so it cannot be pronounced.  Instead, "Yahweh" was used.

4^th Commandment

Sabbath day rest.  Resting in God knowing He is in control of everything.  The significant of Sabbath reminded us of the Creator who rested after Creation of the world. Exodus 31:15.

5^th Commandment

Honoring our parents is a must.  God said if we follow this Commandment we will have longer lives. Like the saying says "Charity begins at home".  Romans 1:30.

6^th Commandment

Life is sacred and we must not kill.

7^th Commandment

This Commandment talks about the sanctity of marriage.  Marriage is a covenant between two human.  Like Jesus is the bride of the church.

8^th Commandment

We should not steal, it is self explanatory.

9^th Commandment

We are not to be false witness.

10^th Commandment

We are not to covet our neighbour' wives.  Do not lust for others properties. One kind of lust is allowed.  It is lusting for the things of God.

Summary

Spirit of the law and Jesus spoke about it. Also about circumcision of our hearts.  There is no other option but to follow the Commandments of God.