Sunday, May 31, 2009

THE LOST GENERATION

Scripture Text: Matthew 24:9-14
Speaker: Ps. Bernard Foo (Harvester Singapore)
Date: 31 May 09 (Mission Sunday)

All Scripture texts are quoted from New American Standard Bible

Matthew 24:9-14

9"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  11"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

 

3 Main clusters of people living in this end times:

(1) The LOST Generation
(2) The LUST Generation
(3) The LORD’S Generation

 

(1) The LOST Generation
Three causes

a) Foolishness
    - Aimless, getting caught up in the world system, 
      lost.
    - Luke 15:1-7

Luke 15: 1-7
The Lost Sheep
1Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and (B)eats with them."3So He told them this parable, saying,4"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

 

b) Careless
    - Luke 15:8-10

Luke 15:8-10

The Lost Coin
8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9"When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!'10"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy (D)in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

 

c) Wilfulness
    - Luke 15: 11-24

Luke 15:11-24

The Prodigal Son

11And He said, "A man had two sons.

12"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me ' So he divided his wealth between them.13"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.14"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.15"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.17"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!18'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'20"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'22"But the father said to his slaves,
'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.


(2) The LUST Generation
Two Causes

a) Lawlessness
    - Matthew 24:12 “Because lawlessness is 
      increased, most people's love will grow cold.”

    - Genesis 6:11-13, 17-22

        11Now the earth was (N)corrupt in the sight of  
       God, and the earth was (O)filled with violence. 
        12
God looked on the earth, and behold, it was  
       corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way 
       upon the earth. 13Then God said to Noah, "The
       end of all flesh has come before Me; for the
       earth is filled with violence because of them;
       and behold, I am about to destroy them with
       the earth.

 
         17
"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of 
        water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in 
        which is the breath of life, from under heaven;
        everything that is on the earth shall perish.
        18"But I will establish My covenant with you;
        and you shall enter the ark--you and your sons
        and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
          19
"And of every living thing of all flesh, you 
        shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to
        keep them alive with you; they shall be male
        and female. 20"Of the birds after their kind,
        and of the animals after their kind, of every
        creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two
        of every kind will come to you to keep them
        alive. 21"As for you, take for yourself some of
        all food which is edible, and gather it to
        yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for
        them."22Thus Noah did; according to all that 
        God had commanded him, so he did.


b) Lovelessness

 

  • Because of adversity Christians are not willing to preach the Gospel.
  • The Great Commission belongs to ALL BELIEVERS.

 

(3) The LORD’S Generation
      Two Distinction Characteristics:

a) Watchfulness

  • not deceived; prayerful; endurance
  • know that the coming of the Lord is sure.
  • keep awake spiritually
  • wants to hear what God is saying and not what the world is saying.

b) Gratefulness

  • Grateful people are faithful people, faithful to the plan of God.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sunday Service @ HIS Sanctuary

Sermon Title: 5 Jewels of Spiritual Transformation
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-2; Isaiah 45:3; 
                        Ps. 34:1-7
Speaker: Ps. Monte Lee Rice

 

Introduction:

1 Samuel 22:1-2 1So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father's household heard of it, they went down there to him. 2Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.

Cave of Adullam

Picture source: http://christianity.about.com/od/symbolspictures/ig/Israel-Tour-Pictures/19IsraelCaveAddullam800x600.htm

Cave of Adullam: This is the cave where David hid from King Saul when Saul sought to kill him. It is a large & deep dark cave.

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

  • We can find treasures in the darkness.

1 Chronicles 12:8 From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And
He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.

  • It is during the ‘dark period’ we are being changed and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
  • Don’t get too quick to get out of the darkness. But learn to seek out the treasures.

 

5 Jewels of transformation

Ps. 34:1-7
(The LORD, a Provider and Deliverer.
A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed).

1I will bless the LORD at all times;
  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
  The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3O magnify the LORD with me,
  And let us exalt His name together.
4I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
  And delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked to Him and were radiant,
  And their faces will never be ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
  And saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

 

What is Church all about?
It is about becoming more like Jesus and Christ is being formed in us.

The 1st jewel: The Altar of Sacrifice (Worship)
Ps. 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

What is worship?
It is about sacrifice.

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

  • Offer your dreams & aspirations to Jesus Christ.

 

2nd Jewel: Humility

Ps. 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.

How do i live my life in this world?

  • By being humble, just like David who was willing to share his cave with others.
  • God gives grace to the humble.

 

3rd Jewel: Seeking the Lord

Ps. 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

  • SEEK and you shall find; ASK and it shall be given to you; KNOCK and the door will be opened for you.

 

4th Jewel: Discipleship (following Jesus)

Ps. 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.

  • When comes to discipleship we tend to look for so and so to be our mentor, but is Jesus your teacher or coach?
  • Jesus wants to disciple us and teach us to be like Him.

1 Peter 2: 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps

  • Read, observe and meditate on Jesus Christ in the Gospel.
  • To become like Jesus Christ, we must be willing to pay the cost of discipleship.

 

5th Jewel: Fear the Lord (Reverence)

Ps. 34: 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

What it means to fear the Lord?
By giving God the space to be God.

Ps. 46: 10a "Cease striving and know that I am God…”

  • It means that we take our hands off in our situation and let God do the necessary.
  • God is the God of surprises.

 

Really thank God for this message that HE reminded me on how to apply Ps. 34 in my life. I remembered this Psalm was given to me by my friend on my 22nd Birthday and i asked God what it means. At first, He did not say anything, so i told God that i will read until i get the ‘answer’.

God is gracious. HE knows when to ‘appear’ in action. I flipped my study bible and in front of me is Ps. 34 and the explanation for this Psalm. It says “What ultimately matters in life is not one’s power and position, but one’s attitude and response to God.” When i get to know of this, i became angry at God because during that age, i want to be famous, status and position are very important to me. But after about two minutes, i calm down and began to told God that HE is right and ask Him to help me to apply Ps. 34 in my life.

Thank you Father God for your grace and mercies upon my life. You not only reminded me and help me on how to grow in Christ and also help me to realise that i can find treasures in deep darkness and hidden wealth of secret places.

Father God, help me to grow stronger in You. Transform me to be like Your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen.