If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:15-17) ESV.

Father, so wonderful is this gift of the Holy Spirit you gave me. I am able to know and worship you because He dwells in me, since the day I accepted Christ's love and received His forgiveness of my sins. Holy Spirit, help me to walk in your love and truth so that my life is truly a Christian life worthy of Christ and His sacrificial love for me. In Jesus' name I pray.

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel (Proverb 27:9) ESV.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for good friends you have given me, for they bring godly counsel and show unconditional love to me especially in difficult times. Everyone of them is truly a gift from you. Help me also to bring comfort and care to those who need to experience your loving touch and to put their trust in you in every circumstance. In Jesus' name I pray.

All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies (Psalm 25:10) ESV.

Father, I have a personal history with you since the day you saved me because of your great love towards me. Daily I experience your faithfulness, whether in good or challenging times. Empower me with your divine strength as I abide in your Word and be a living testimony of your goodness and mercy wherever you lead. In Jesus' name I pray.

"Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:34-35) ESV.

Father, let my personal relationship with you and others be characterised by love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness,  patience, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, so that people around can taste the fruit of the Holy Spirit. May my life keep producing the saltiness that creates thirst for someone who needs the living water today. In Jesus' name I pray.

He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:12-14) ESV.

Father, even though you are in Heaven you never forget the poor and the sick. Their needs are your concern. Help me to feel your heartbeat constantly, and be ever ready to be the hands and feet of my Lord Jesus and to be with them, comfort and support them in practical ways. As I begin this new and fresh week with you, let me experience the depth of your steadfast love in a personal way. In Jesus' awesome name I ask and pray.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15) ESV.

Father, I want to completely rest in your divine peace and let my heart experience the calmness and serenity which only you can give. Thank you Father. In the marvellous name of Jesus I pray.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints (Philemon 1:4-5) ESV.

Father, how precious to you when my love and faith in Jesus Christ remains steadfast always leading me to treasure the privilege of giving to and receiving from one another the agape love in the Body of Christ. Thank you for refreshing me that loving God and loving man fulfil the two greatest commandments. In Jesus' name I give thanks.

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:17-18) ESV.

Father, you remind me what true and authentic Christianity is by sharing your unconditional love with others in practical ways. Lead me to someone who is in need of practical help today or over the weekend. Guide me to help the needy and comfort the wounded that they may receive the loving and healing touch of Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray.

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17) ESV.

Heavenly Father, create in me a godly desire to replace all worldly desires that seek to distract me from doing your perfect will for my life.  Help to to see things in life with a Kingdom mindset and instill in me a passion always to be the light and salt in this perishable world. In Jesus' name I pray.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Eccleisiastes 12:13) ESV.

Father, let my life be a life of true worship reflecting your great love and abundant mercy. May I be constantly filled with this awesome and holy fear for who you truly are, my loving Abba Father. In Jesus' name I pray.

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him (Daniel 2:22) ESV.

Heavenly Father, through this verse I know that every mystery or uncertainty in life is known by you. Every darkness is revealed by your light. Help me to have no fear of the unknown for all things shall be made clear and understood in your perfect time. In you alone do I put my trust. Let my faith in you keep increasing as I meditate and put into practice your Word daily.  In Jesus' name I pray.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14) ESV.

Heavenly Father, your Kingdom is a Kingdom of light. How glorious and awesome are your manifested presence all over the earth. May I live a Spirit-filled life reflecting this magnificent and glorious presence in the marketplace or in any corner of the street so that many shall come into your Kingdom of light. In Jesus' name I pray.

Sunday Sermon Title: Christian Dilemma - Part 4
Speaker: Senior Pastor Rony Tan
Church: Lighthouse Evangelism Church
Date: 16 February 2014

1. Introduction
Historically, there are two main extreme doctrines on God's grace

A. To preach God's Law without God's forgiving and keeping power is to mislead Christians to a life of fear, hopelessness and despair.
B. To preach God's grace without man's responsibility and discipline is to mislead church-goers, especially the unconverted, to have a false sense of eternal security while still living in a lifestyle of sin.

2. Knowing how Biblical doctrines can be misleading when only a facet of truth is being preached

A. Illustration: Four blind men's views of an elephant.
Alhough all of them apparently are speaking the “truth” but not one has the whole truth. Hence, distortion of truth happens when one focuses on a facet of a biblical truth to the exclusion of other equally important facets required to have a correct balanced view especially on the biblical concept of God's grace.

B. Several Scriptural Examples:
(1) John 8:32 – “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”.  This is only one facet of the truth about Jesus Christ, the Saviour.  Other facets of this truth, for example, Jesus said, “I am the truth, the way and the life” (John 14:6) is to be believed before one can be set free.

(2) Romans 10:13 –“Whoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.  But in Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”. Both seem contradicting each other, but when these two Scriptural passages are read in its right context, they present two different facets of God’s truth on salvation . The former talks about how a genuine seeker can be saved by calling upon God, while the latter talks about evil doers who think they know God and are saved but are not.

(3) 1 John 3:8-9 – “He that committeth sin is of the devil…whoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God”. Based on this passage, one misleading view is that Christians cannot sin if they are born of God. If they do, they are of the devil. So, what then is the purpose of the provision of 1 John 1:9 for Christians who sin?  It reads, “When we confess our sins…He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness?” Again, to have a balanced view, one needs to embrace the whole counsel of God which includes interpreting Biblical passages in its right context and not conveniently preach one facet of truth only. Here, chapter 3 is emphasising on a lifestyle of sinning against God, while chapter 1 is mentioning about the provision of Christ’s blood which can be appropriate for cleansing and of receiving forgiveness when Christians do sin in the sanctification process.
Note: Christians, however, should not take 1 John 1:9 as a licence to sin against God. Even though God can forgive them 1000 times when they sin, they must face 1000 consequences and some could be more than they can bear!

(4) Romans 8:1 – “There is no condemnation in Christ”. Many Christians think they can keep on sinning because they are in Christ and their past, present and future sins are forgiven at the cross by Jesus, once and for all.  One needs to look at the second part of this verse to know how misleading a preacher can be when apostle Paul added that no more condemnation “are those who do not walk in the flesh.

(5) Romans 8:35 – “…nothing can can separate us from the love of God”. Again, this is the first part, while the second part tells us WHAT are those things that cannot separate us from Christ. They are trials, tribulations, etc, and NOT disobedience, sins, lawlessness, etc.

3. Understanding the Whole Counsel of God in the Bible

Christians have responsibility to ensure they live a righteous and godly life while living under God’s grace.  Scriptural passages mention the choices believers must continue to make daily in this sanctification process of becoming Christlike and obtaining complete salvation for their spirit, soul and body.  Here are some of them:

A. In Matthew 24:11-14, Jesus mentions about lawlessness abound and only those endure to the end shall be saved,

B. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, it mentions about how apostle Paul disciplines his body to make sure he is not a counterfeit.

4. At salvation, does a believer receive forgiveness for his past present and future sins?  If yes, there are two possible conclusions:
A.  I don't have to repent anymore
B. You are always saved even without repentance.

5. At salvation, what the Bible teaches is that our past and present sins are forgiven. Sanctification process begins. This is the believer’s responsibility of living a life of holiness empowered by the Holy Spirit toward the goal of Christlikeness. When he does sin, he has the provision for forgiveness of sins by confessing and repenting of his sin as promised in 1 John 1:8-9.

6. Warnings and Admonitions for Believers in the Bible

A. In Hebrews 2:1, it mentions that believers can be drifted away from God.

B. What is the difference between Judas and Peter when both sinned against Jesus? Peter repented and was forgiven.  Judas regretted and felt remorse. He was not forgiven.  That is why in John 17:12, while praying to the Father, Jesus mentioned that nothing is lost except the son of perdition in reference to Judas.

C. The Example of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:9-13
Simon believed and baptized. He was saved. But Simon was rebuked for wanting to buy God's power with money. He repented. Like Simon, every Christian needs to
repent and receive forgiveness when he does sin for this is part of the sanctification process.

D.  In Hebrews 6:4-6, it mentions that believers can come to a point where they fall away from the truth and it is impossible for them to be restored through through repentance.

E. In 2 Peter 2:20-21, believers who once have overcome can be entangled again.

7. Conclusion

A. Can a Christian lose his salvation easily or can he lose his eternal security? Then one needs to ask what kind of Christian is he?  For example, if a teacher were to ask a class of 40 students if they can pass their examinations, the answer will depend on what kind of students in the class.  Those who did not put a single effort in the preparation prior to the examination is destined to fail. Similarly, if a “Christian” lives a life with no regard to the fear of the Lord, his destiny is predictable!  The life example of the apostle Paul speaks volume of believers’ responsibility to live a life of holiness empowered by the grace of God.  His life exemplified the importance of having godly fear and responsible stewardship over our time, talents and treasure.
Godly fear is the answer. Life of apostle Paul.

B.  Do not be deceived!  It is one thing to claim or declare loudly that we are children of God or we are more than conquerors, but it is another thing to truly live it out in love, godliness and righteousness.  

C. Reminder:  A believer's repentance is not about living under the law, rather it is about living towards becoming more and more like our Lord, full of grace and truth

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Proverb 16:24) ESV.

Father, your word  brings true joy and peace to my heart no matter what challenges I face every day. Thank you for this living word that keeps my soul refreshed and body healthy. May your word come forth from my mouth bring comfort and strength to people around me today.   In Jesus' name I pray.

"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17-18) ESV.

Heavenly Father, I praise you with my heart filled with thanksgiving rejoicing over your daily sustenance and divine strength. I can only boast in you and exalt your holy name for you give, nourish and empower me to do your perfect will. My sincere desire is to hear you say to me 'Good and faithful servant.  Come and enter into the rest of the Lord". In Jesus' awesome name I pray and give thanks.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8) ESV.

Father, thank you for being my sufficiency all the times made possible by your abounding grace. Through every provision given, I am empowered to do good works bearing fruits that will last.  In Jesus' name I give thanks!

But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!". And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong (Acts 3:6-7) ESV.

Father, all that I have come from you through Christ Jesus, whose name brings salvation, healing and deliverance. Today, may I consciously make your name visible enabling the sick in body and soul to experience your awesome and divine love and bring health and healing to them.  In Jesus' name I ask and pray.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (John 6:35) ESV.

Father, I am forever grateful to you for I shall never have any lack. Jesus, you are everything to me. I submit my life to you. Your word is comforting and strengthening to my spirit. In your precious name I give thanks.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Heavenly Father, I release unto you every single load on my shoulder that hinders me from experiencing true rest in my soul. I receive this divine provision today in Jesus' name. Amen.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Father, I thank you for this precious divine peace and the inner joy of the glorious hope I have in Christ Jesus. Let this week be a victorious one that will truly glorify your holy name.  In Jesus' name I pray.

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High (Psalm 9:1-2) ESV.

Father, I thank you for you are always in me and walking this new life with me. I have a personal history with you. My diary is filled with your wonderful deeds of your awesome love and power for which my Christian walk has become meaningful and purposeful. I truly give thanks to you Father. In Jesus' name I pray.

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD (Proverb 8:25) ESV.

Father, you are the source of divine life, abundant and eternal life! This truth reminds me that I am a branch and Jesus is the vine. I know I have received true joy and everlasting love for I have found the Giver of life! Thank you for showering me with your divine favour constantly.  In Jesus' name I pray.

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High (Psalm 7:17) ESV.

Heavenly Father, everything you do brings righteousness for this is your nature and your Kingdom is one of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. May this truth cause me to live righteously enabling others to draw closer to Jesus, our Righteousness, whose name is above all names!

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him (Lamentations 3:25)

Father, may I taste your goodness in a deeper way today as I quietly but confidently wait upon you. I want to seek you diligently so that I know I am living in your perfect will. In Jesus' 'name I pray and give thanks.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:11-12) ESV.

Father, you are a shield to me for you protect my going out and coming in all the times. I rejoice because I bear your name. You lead me into the path of righteousness, faith, hope and love. Thank you for being my God. In Jesus' name I give thanks.

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh (Proverb 4:20-22) ESV.

Father, your Word brings life and healing to the body, soul and spirit. Help me to saturate my heart with every word I read and meditate so that I can walk in your love bringing life and healing to others around me. In Jesus' name I pray.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man (Proverb 3:3-4) ESV.

Heavenly Father, the joy of knowing you and experiencing your love is the most wonderful and awesome gift to me. Through Christ, I am truly able to love and to be faithful. Your desire is to let me experience success in family life, work, ministry and in relationships, always finding favour in you and with others. Thank you Father God. In Jesus' name I pray.

Sunday Sermon Title: Knowing Who You Are
Speaker: Senior Pastor Rony Tan
Date: 2 February 2014
Venue: Lighthouse Evangelism Church

Introduction
The greatest revelation for Christians is knowing who they are in Christ. However knowing your position in Christ must be followed by practice in daily Christian living. Knowledge is only potential power; it is applied knowledge in a correct way  constitutes true power.

1. How do you partake this truth in your life?
A. Our old ways are difficult to change like Jacob in the OT. His name means deceiver but the angel of God tells him his name is now Israel, Prince of Israel.  His life then changed because of this new identity.
B. Likewise, as a new creation, we have a new identity.  We immediately changed when revelational knowledge is correctly applied.
C. Jacob begins to live and walk like a prince.  He then is able to reconciled with Esau, his estranged brother. .

2. The life of Joseph tells us how he lives and walks like a royalty for he knows who he is in the sight of God.
A. Though his life has many ups and downs, he overcomes every obstacle in his life - from taking charge of the prison and prisoners to managing the whole land of Egypt and the Eygptians.
B. Joseph is able to help Egypt overcomes famines. He is always ready to walk above his circumstances.
C. Similarly, Christians can rise above all circumstances when they know who they are in Christ!

3. The life of Moses mentioned in Hebrews 11:24-26 tells us that he knows who he is and where he is going in the end ultimately.
A. He refuses to call the prince of Egypt when he finds out the root of his identity.
B. Moses has the end in mind. He knows where he is going - a reward that is with God eternally.
C. Inspite of his initial failure after being exposed of his murderous act, he eventually recognises his call and destiny.
D. Through 40 years of solitude and reflection in the wilderness, Moses then  encounters God in the burning bush. This divine enciunter affirms his call as a deliverer of Israel.
Character: He is mentioned as the meekest man on earth at that time.
Competence: Performing the miracles of the 10 plagues by the power of God.
Consistency: He leads Israel from bondage to freedom for the next 40 years.
Note: 3 Cs to be successful - character,  competence,  consistency

4. The life of Jesus mentioned in Luke 2:52 tells us that He is a normal human being.
A. When did Jesus realise He is the Son of God and Savior of the world?
Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus saw the Holy Spirit like a dove came upon Him and He heard a voice from Heaven. This is a moment where He is affirmed of His identity.
B. Though He is led to be tempted by the devil, He knows who He is for He uses the Word of God to overcome the temptations of the devil.
C. Christians is expected to be tempted by the devil who can quote Scriptures out of context. His aim is to make us doubt our identity.
D. Christian's identity is based on what God says about them not how they feel.

5. God says that we are seated in high places with Christ in the heavenly places. Hence we must say what God has said!
For example Hebrew 13:5-6, we can declare that GOD IS MY HELPER!

Conclusion
Because of knowing who I am, I can now boldly declare that i am born again, a new creation, the Holy Spirit is within me, and more than a conqueror!

Note: this is a personal note-taking by Bro Robin Png. It has some added pointers for personal consumption.  It is recommended to get s copy of dvd for complete sermon.

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints (Proverb 2:6-8) ESV.

Father, you are the source of true wisdom, knowledge and understanding empowering me to walk a life of integrity, justice and righteousness. Let my life be filled with these divine fruits bringing glory to you Father. In Jesus' name I pray.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD (Psalm 118:26) ESV.

Father, thank you for another beautiful day you have made. Let the people whom I visit today be blessed by you for I come to them in the name of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Healer. In every conversation,  may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you Father. In Jesus' name I pray.