Created for God’s Purposes | Psalm 139

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sFLzwjMQi03jPhdAbn6TF?si=e221e7fd43ce4d5b

Key points:

1. God knows you
2. God is with you
3. God made you (for His purposes)

Response/Application

• Do you know God?
• Is Jesus in your life?
• Do you know, are you living for God’s purposes?

Slides here – bit.ly/createdps139

Lessons from GE 2020 for the Church

The 2020 Singapore General Elections (GE) was an interesting experience for myself. Being away for overseas studies with family, this was the first time I was going to miss being able to vote (the nearest Singapore embassy was at least a 12-hour drive one-way). Having been away for almost a year has taught me many lessons, and also caused me to cherish and appreciate more what we have in Singapore. After the euphoria and hype of the elections begins to subside, I found myself reflecting what lessons we could learn, especially as the Church, the body of Christ, drawing from the life of David and the disciples.

1. Crisis is both a danger & an opportunity

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, several secular and religious leaders have noted that a crisis can be both a danger and an opportunity, particularly if you consider the Chinese word for crisis 危机 (wéijī), literally a combination of two words, danger (危险 wéixiǎn) and opportunity (机会 jīhuì). Nations and governments have had to deal with the widespread coronavirus from both within and without their borders, forcing massive air travel restrictions, severe lockdowns and quarantines, and ramping up of support for healthcare and frontline workers and infrastructures. Our Singapore government was hailed as a leading role model in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, especially in containment of imported and community cases, but also met some roadbumps in dealing with cases amongst foreign worker dormitories. Many questioned the calling of the elections in the midst of this pandemic as well. Although the initial predictions and political rhetoric was leaning towards the ruling party, to trust in and fall back on reliable leadership, and not to “rock the boat” in times of crisis, Singaporeans also showed that this could also be the impetus towards breaking new ground, making alternative choices, and taking a chance on new candidates.

Do not forget or fade

As we reflect on the topic of raising the next generation, it is worth to consider this verse in Deut. 4.9:

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

What does passing the faith on to future generations encompass? God reminds us in His Word that firstly, it begins with ourselves. We are to be careful, or to give heed to ourselves, and to watch ourselves closely, or to keep our souls diligently. Why is this important? Our life is our best witness to the generations after us, not our achievements, not our words or teachings, but the way we live our lives.

Raising up the Next Generation | Hebrews 12.1-3

Raising up the Next Generation (Heb. 12.1-3)

How are we to run the race set before us?

1. Look around us (v. 1a)

2. Look within us (v. 1b)

3. Look ahead of us (vv. 2-3)

Every generation has the responsibility & privilege of reaching, raising & releasing the next generation for God’s kingdom purposes.

https://orpc.sg/happenings/sermons/raising-next-generation

Disciplines 2 | 1 Timothy 4.1-12

… discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come … Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

1 Timothy 4.7-8, 12
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

Discernment 1 – Proverbs 1.1-7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7 NASB
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

Discontent 1 – Psalm 63

Psalm 63 NASB
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

D is for Disciple – Overview | 2 Timothy 1.6-14

2 Timothy 1:6‭-‬14 NASB
Sermon audio
Sermon powerpoint

Connected | Hebrews 10.19-25

Connected (Heb. 10.19-25)

1. Draw near to God (vv. 19-22)

2. Hold unswervingly to the hope (v. 23)

3. Consider how to spur one another on (vv. 24-25)

We as God’s people seek to connect to God, be anchored in hope, & encourage one another in authentic Christian community.

Sermon slides here.
https://orpc.sg/happenings/sermons/connected

 

Tips for parents of teens in a technology-crazed world

A good article was recently published on tips for parents of teens in a technology-crazed world. They also talk about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of technology today. Here is a summary.

1. Anchor your lives in eternal things.
2. Be aware of the major trends.
3. Have intentional and honest conversations.
4. Engage with them in their world.
5. Develop an understanding about online privacy.
6. Establish some standards.
7. Let grace prevail.

Read the full article here.