What Really Matters In Christian Living?

Rev. Johnny Wong

¹³ ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:13-16

1.  Know who you are.

Salt and Light - be authentic

2.  Know what you do.

Keep your character - be strong.

3.  Know what you want.

Glorifying God - be focused.

“Christians are to be good news before they can share the Good News.”

The Glory Of Youth

Rev. James Wong

1.  The Glory of Youth

The old may have wisdom but they need to provide guidance and encouragement for the youths because strength and energy is on the side of the youth.

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”

                                                                                              ~Proverbs 20:29 (NIV)

2.  Develop A Joyful Attitude

Attitude is everything and it can be developed.  It is God’s will that we live happily,  developing a faith-filled and positive outlook of life. Anxiety is a daily poison.

9 Young people, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.” 

~Eccl 11:9-10

3.  Develop A Reverence for God

The day of reckoning will come. We are not free to do everything we like. We need to give an account to God. This knowledge will guide our actions.

9 Young people, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.” 

~Eccl 11:9-10

A Call To Tough Duties

Rev. James  Wong

(1) The Notions of Success Today ...

Achieving goals, acquiring wealth, prestige, favor, and power. Successful people enjoy the good life—being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders, opinion makers, and trendsetters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals. By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure. (LAB)

(2) The Call of Jeremiah   

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." ~Jer 1:5 (NIV)

(3) The Call To Tough Duties

For 40 years he served as God's spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Jeremiah was commanded not to marry or to have children to illustrate the impending coming judgment of God.

· He was beaten and put in the stock at the Upper Gate of Benjamin (20:1-3)

· He was seized by the priests and prophets (26:7-11)

· He was beaten and thrown into prison for a long time (chapter 37)

· He was thrown into a cistern and he sank down into the mud (chapter 38)

· He was taken to Egypt against his will (chapter 43).

· He was rejected by his neighbors (11:19-21), his family (12:6), the false priests and prophets (20:1, 2; 28:1-17), friends (20:10), his audience (26:8), and the kings (36:23).

(4)  What Sustained Jeremiah In His Tough Calling   

“Because of the Lord 's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord  is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." ~Lam 3:22-24 (NIV)   

There are those who go through life with great memories of achievement and accolades. They have never received any tough assignment. God’s son was given a tough assignment. He left his comfort, suffered and died to redeem this broken world.

(5) The success of Jeremiah

Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the word of God. He was obedient to his calling.

Compare yourself with Jeremiah if you think your serving is a tough assignment.

The Promises Easter Brings

Luke 24: 1-12

1) Promise of sins forgiven

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.                                            ~Romans 5:8

2) Promise of eternal life

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16

3) Promise of a relationship with Jesus

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ~Revelation 3:20

What the Lord Needs

Christian Love In Relationships

Rev. James Wong

   

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”                                                      ~Matt 5:43-48

1. Becoming Perfect Vs. Being A Perfectionist

It is boring to live with someone who never change to become better. It is unbearable  to live with a perfectionist.

2. To Be Perfect is To Love Enemies

This command of Jesus deals with personal relationship

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:45

3. The Different Levels Of Love

I love my dearest parents (Greek Word: ‘storge’ = family love)

I love my spouse (Greek Word: ‘eros’ = sexual love)

I love my closest friend (Greek word: ‘philia’ = real affection)

God loves the world (Greek Word: ‘agape’ = invincible good will)

Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way as we love our nearest and our dearest. The very word used is different. To love with ’agape’ love is an act of the will, a determination of the mind.  Jesus laid this love down as a basis that should govern our relationship with others. 

4. The Reason To Love

Love makes a man like God. Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and the great characteristic of God is his universal benevolence and unconquerable good will.

“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” ~Matthew 5:45a

4. Applying The Law Of Love In Relationships

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:45b

12 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

~Colossians 3:12-14

Becoming Part of a Life Group

Rev. Johnny Wong

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ~Acts 2:42-47

I) Why is the life group so important?

1) We belong to God’s family

2) We need encouragement to grow spiritually

II) The nature and character of a life group.

1) Teaching of God’s word

2) Fellowship

3) Worship

4) Prayer