One Church One Home

United we stand, divided we fall.

Psalms 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”

1. Unity Takes Intentionality

- Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus in the book of Ephesians 4:3-6 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

- We are called to keep unity, not create unity among ourselves.

- We are already united together in Christ, but it takes humility and love to grow the strength of the unity.

2. Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity

- When we are united, it does not mean we should be parallel in everything.

- Our interests should not be forced to be the same.

- It is not necessary for us to look physically alike.

- The only thing that matters in unity is our heart to keep it.

3. Differences Do Not Mean Disunity, but Difference in Vision Leads to Di-vision and Division

- Di-vision means having two or more visions, which sometimes contradict with each other.

- Division means a group being divided, every one heading his/her own way.

- 1 Timothy 3:1-3 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

- It is okay to disagree, but not okay to be disagreeable.

- Disagreeable means unwilling to accept others or accepting without a sincere heart, usually caused by pride.

Matthew 12:25

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

We are one body in Christ. In Colossians 1:17, Apostle wrote: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” In Jesus Christ, all disciples hold together in unity, like concrete being strengthened by steel bars, like the flesh being held together by the bones.

We need to have united hearts in our lifegroup, local church, and ultimately the church of Jesus Christ.

Memory verses:

a) Psalms 133:1

b) Ephesians 4:3-6

c) 1 Timothy 3:1-3

d) Matthew 12:25

e) Colossians 1:17

Turning Deficiencies Into Victory

By Pastor Simon Eng

28 August 2011

Judges 20:14-16 “From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. At once the Benjamites mobilised twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred chosen men from those living in Gibeah. Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

1. Turn Liabilities into Abilities

Ø      The Benjamites were right-handed but they converted to use their left hand.

Ø      We should turn our weaknesses into our strengths.

Ø      We won’t know our strength until we face the test.

Ø      We need to turn discouragement into courage.

Ø      1 Samuel 30:6 – ⁶David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Ø      Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is your courage to continue that counts.”

Ø      Strength and courage are not gifts, they are character traits built in the battles.

Ø      The moment we stop making excuses, that’s when we begin to win.

Ø      1 Chronicles 4:9-10 – ⁹Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

2. Decide to Advance, No Excuses to Retreat

Ø      Our decisions define us.

Ø      Our choices reveal who we really are on the inside.

Ø      Our ultimate victory depends on our choices today.

Ø      John 6:60-71 talks about Many Disciples Desert Jesus.

Ø      We should not waste our experiences.

Ø      Grow through our pains and scars.

Ø      Once beaten, try again, try harder.

Ø      Our troubles will not crush us, it shall complete us.

Ø      The wounded way is the way of Christ.

Ø      Isaiah 53:5 – ⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Memory verses:

a) Judges 20:14-16

b) 1 Samuel 30:6

c) 1 Chronicle 4:9-10

d) John 6:60-71

e) Isaiah 53:5

Choosing The Road Less Travelled

By Pastor Lawrence Lee

27 August 2011

Matthew 7:13-14 – ¹³Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

1. See Beyond the Immediate

Ø      There is a wide gate, broad road, and it is a popular choice.

Ø      There is a small gate, narrow road, and only a few find it.

Ø      We need to see beyond convenience, comfort and popularity.

2. Choose the Path that Leads to Life

Ø      Proverbs 15:24 – ²⁴The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave.

Ø      Joshua 24:15 – ¹⁵But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But ass for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Memory verses:

a) Matthew 7:13-14

b) Proverbs 15:24

c) Joshua 24:15

Pray During The Rain

Testimony:

1# Yesterday evening was drizzling, so I was suddenly prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray. While driving, I prayed for good weather, safe journey, safe drivers on the road and fun time at Kuching Fest.

When I stepped out from the car, it was still drizzling. I wanted to take the umbrella. At the same time, I felt the spirit prompted me again, to take a step of faith. So we walked under the rain without any umbrella.

Sat down at the table, the spirit prompted me again. Pray together. Indeed, the rain stopped after a few brothers and I said a short prayer. Praise the Lord.

2# I finished work at 5:30pm. I started driving at 5:35pm. At 6:15pm, I still haven't driven more than 1km, because of serious traffic jam + rain. Cars everywhere, water everywhere, mud also everywhere.

Out of the blue, I just prayed: "Lord, please bless all the drivers here on the road. Bless them so that they can drive diligently and safely. And Lord, I pray for the traffic to move because it's raining, the sun is setting, it is dangerous to drive at such time, and we want to go back home. Amen."

Then the traffic started to move. And I reached home before 6:30pm.

Committed

Life as a Christian is not just about us accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour, but it is also about the Great Commission from Lord our God.

Matthew 28:16-20 said it all. Things to note:

- (v17b) but some doubted

- (v19a) go and make

- (v19b) baptizing them

- (v20a) teaching them

Question:

The people that know you are a Christian, are they:

a) the people around you outside the church, OR

b) the people in your church?

We are looking at how these can be put into practice in our everyday lives.

1. WORD

- Nehemiah 8:8 “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”

- 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

- These verses interpret themselves for us: the Word of God is the BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth).

- If we truly believe that the Word of God brings life, what are the things that are stopping us from reading/learning from God?

- We do not want to be only NICE people, but we want to aim to become GOOD people, good in God’s eye, servants of God that has a heart that is chasing after God.

- Often, through reading the bible scriptures, the Holy Spirit will come and speak to TEACH, REBUKE, CORRECT and TRAIN us.

- Only with a full denial to our old self and submission to the way of the Lord, then we can experience transformation in our lives.

- 2 Timothy 3:17 “so that the man of God can be thoroughly equipped for every good work”.

- Therefore, it is important that we commit and dedicate our time for the Word of God.

Tips:

- Find opportunities to share with someone about what you have learned daily (or weekly) from the bible.

- Try to remember at least one verse each week (the preacher in Sunday Service always gives more than one).

2. WORK

- Apostle Paul wrote this in Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

- Notice the Word of God says "work out" and NOT "work for".

- I believe in order to touch & impact people's lives, it all starts from deep within us.

- We don't need "churchy" actions or appearance to show the world about Jesus Christ, but as Pastor Denis said, "We need to have an intimate relationship with our God".

Nevertheless, it's quite dangerous to think that we are working for the salvation of people. This is because we are saved by grace not by work. Instead, we should work out our own salvation so that the world may know the Lord and receive their salvation.

Working out our salvation:

- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray continually”.

- Mark 12:30-31a “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbour as yourself”.

- John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”.

Our God the Father is a creative genius. Somehow in His brilliant plans, if we choose to fully deny ourselves and take up the cross (working out our salvation), then the people around us will see the difference through our Holy Spirit-filled character.

"I would rather open a rescue shop before the gates of hell than to live in the comforting sound of a chapel bell." - Brother Isaac Biju (2011)

It is by our commitment to the Lord that determines how much God can use us for His plans “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.

Memory verses:

a) Nehemiah 8:8

b) 2 Timothy 3:16-17

c) Philippians 2:12

d) Mark 12:30-31