Monday, May 25, 2009
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God's Faithfulness to the Fallen
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24/05/2009 (0915 service)
God's Faithfulness to the Fallen
By Rev Stanley Chua
Luke 22:31-34
"Luke 22:31-34 (New International Version)
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." "
Fact of Matter: Religious leaders are human also and they are not exempt from sin.
Why does God allow us to fall into sin?- God allows good people to fall into sin so that the rest of us will learn not to make the same mistakes.
("Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." 1 Cor 10:6)
CASE STUDY:
PETER - promised more than he can acheive (although in the end he died for his faith)
- most "human" of disciples -> most mischeivious and have the courage to say that people would diam diam about
- "...when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." v32
IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE AN
UNCONVERTED CHRISTIANS!!!
Man:
-want to live a life for God
-salt and light for world
-want to be a good husband, father
-ultimately want to be a Godly man for God
But then WHY in the years to come people fall?
- in church congregations, women>men
- in christians families, men have all the ideas of bringing their children up, but then everything pushed to wife
THERE WAS A HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE BETWEEN GOD AND SATANJob: suitable target selected by God
Peter:": Satan asked to tempt Peter
refering to Luke 22:31-34::::
has asked -> refers to STRONG demand
to sift YOU -> actually in plural form; referring to all disciples
Satan power is not equal/not matched to God's.
Satan has to ask permission from God. (reason against evil superstitions)
fact 0f matter 2: Satan often goes after spiritual leaders.
3 amazing truths about v32
1) Christ knew in advance everything Peter was about to do.
2) Christ's response to Peter's fall was to pray for him. (" Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Heb 7:25)
3) Christ did not pray for Peter to be removed from temptation. (Jesus had more faith in Peter than he had in Jesus)
1 Purpose for FaLL:
TO STRENGTHEN HIS BROTHERS -God can touch your broken places and make them stronger before.
so QN: if God knows that we are going to fail, why GoD still let us go through the test?
Reasons why God allow to fail
1) To show us the depth of our sin - Satan always attacks us at the point of our strenght, not at the point of our weakness.
2) To purge us from prdie - Our failure serve as a perpetual reminder and a guard against overwhelming pride.
3) To prepare us for a greater work - God allows us to fail to qualify us to minister to others we could never otherwise reach.
GOD ALWAYS USE BROKEN-HEARTED PEOPLE TO DO GREAT THINGS!!
3 things to learn:
1) The value of humility
2) The need for patience with each other
3) The magnificene of God's grace.
aaron chua thanked jesus at12:47 AM
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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found this article...ps read...what do you think about it?
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(http://www.imeem.com/shineforyou/music/iipUIQxZ/hillsong-united-break-free/)
Well, replying to everyone whom post,
Don't read if you're under 13...
seriously" Don't read this if you're under 13...
seriously Message:
Why do we sleep in church, But stay awake through a 2 hour movie?
Why is it so hard to talk about God, but so easy to talk about sex?
Why are we so bored when we look at a Christian magazine, but find it easy to read Playboy?
Why is it so easy to ignore a Godly friendster message, Yet we repost the nasty ones?
Why are churches getting smaller, But bars and clubs are growing?
Think about it, are you going to repost this?
Are you going to ignore it, cause you think you'll get laughed at? Repost this as
".Don't read if you're under 13...seriously" 80 % of you wont repost this.
The Lord said: "If you deny me in front of men, I will deny you in front of my Father".
simply because you are in a not so happening church
wouldn't it be werid to hit a conversation starting with 'God'
because you arent reading the christian magazine, just flipping pages
doing something about this messages
church getting smaller because they are preaching something not of the bible
and i am not ignoring it because there is something seriously wrong not doing something about it
well, blessed me to be in the 20% reposting it
Stop making a world parreller to this world, preaching and praticing isolation.
But start insulation and penatration! How can you win the world to Christ by condemming sinners?
Thats is why all the narrow minded chruch aren't growing and reject pop culture and condemming it.
aaron chua thanked jesus at4:32 PM
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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just for my own sidenote..dont read! haha kidding..
by "Indescribable"
Oh ya, one more thing to add to that qn..christian are like a new creation, been transformed by the love...While non-christians are like, still havent been transformed yet...And they havent received/taste/feel "real" Fatherly love...Lol
-End_
aaron chua thanked jesus at9:31 PM
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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how is a christian different from a non-christian?
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This question just popped in my head today when running. Ya so I asked 2 of my church friends, "Scott Summers" and "Indescribable"...take a look at their responses!
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"Scott Summers":
by three simple letters and a punctuation mark
Aaron Chua:
but is it that simple?
Aaron Chua:
haha just a question that came to my mind
"Scott Summers":
"non-"
"Scott Summers":
that's the simple part
"Scott Summers":
hahaha
"Scott Summers":
the hard part, however, is how we live our lives
"Scott Summers":
if you say non-christian, u referring to a free-thinker or from other religions?
"Scott Summers"::
for free-thinkers: live life without the acknowledgement that there is a superior higher authority, without the acknowledgement that there is life after death
"Scott Summers"::
other religions: live life with knowledge of higher superior authority, and acknowledge that there is life after death
"Scott Summers"::
the thing that separates christian beliefs and other religious beliefs is that many other religions (buddhism, muslim, etc) believe that to get to "heaven" you need to do good things (karma)
Aaron Chua:
"non-"? huh? haha
Aaron Chua:
how do you define a christian then? cos the Bible says not all christians are going to heaven too
"Scott Summers":
(spelling wise la)
"Scott Summers":
those who affirm the truth that they are saved by grace and not by deeds
"Scott Summers":
?
"Scott Summers":
other religions believe that you need to do good deeds to get to heaven
Aaron Chua:
cos the bible say in matt 7:21 that not all who say Lord Lord will go to heaven
"Scott Summers":
you gotta live a life that seeks to be Christ-like i guess?
Aaron Chua:
can christians be merely be defined as those who affirm aka believe? and not live it out?
"Scott Summers":
that's in reference to those who cry Lord Lord but live ungodly lives..
Aaron Chua:
lol getting confused here...so what do u think is the diff between christian and non-christian?
Aaron Chua:
and ya non-christian = atheist + other religions
"Scott Summers":
hmmm...
"Scott Summers":
didn't i just say it
"Scott Summers":
haha
"Scott Summers":
in the way we live our lives
"Scott Summers":
LOL, thanks ar...
"Scott Summers":
making me type for so long
Aaron Chua:
lol...was little blur thats why...just to ask one final qn...lol...so if christians dont live the way they are supposed to live, then theres no difference?
"Scott Summers":
then, the difference is only in name....
Aaron Chua:
haha my pov is that the "supposed" diff is actually immense, really a lot between christians and non-christians...
"Scott Summers":
yeah actually there is
"Scott Summers":
haha
Aaron Chua:
but the thing is that im not really seeing that in my school for eg
"Scott Summers":
its just that one of the MOST PREACHED differences is our lifestyles
Aaron Chua:
yup...true...one of the main differences too...haha
"Scott Summers":
haha
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Aaron Chua says:
hey say what u think abt the question also leh?
"Indescribable" says:
a better purpose of why or wat are we here on this earth for...
"Indescribable" says:
welcoming jesus into christian's life changes many things.. A faithful friend who will nvr leave us..
Aaron Chua says:
the difference is actually immense....but somehow i just cant see it with the ppl around me
Aaron Chua says:
christians live like non-christians...are they really christians?
"Indescribable" says:
actually, wat i think is the difference is more on the inside..
Aaron Chua says:
how to define christians? is the diff that we can go to heaven but non-christians cant?
"Indescribable" says:
there is not the difference..
Aaron Chua says:
sry...was just having verbal diarrhoea
"Indescribable" says:
tat*
Aaron Chua says:
lol pls continue
"Indescribable" says:
LOL... no la..
Aaron Chua says:
*sidenote: matt 7:21
"Indescribable" says:
yea.. being a christian is not that simple..
"Indescribable" says:
like wat jit said last time.. many ppl get the wrong idea like, "so easy to go to heaven, just by accepting Jesus like tat?"
"Indescribable" says:
Each of one of us has a purpose a will given by Him to carry it out...
"Indescribable" says:
and*
"Indescribable" says:
and, christian is all about establishing relationship with God..
Aaron Chua says:
so whats the difference? that a non-christian does not have a plan and a will from God?
"Indescribable" says:
wat i think, everyone of us have.. non-christian is "hidden" one.. until, they accept Jesus Christ, then they will be made known to them..
"Indescribable" says:
is like, late bloomer..
Aaron Chua says:
so if the christian doesnt carry God's will in his life then there's no difference?
"Indescribable" says:
Luke 6:49
"Indescribable" says:
"But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
"Indescribable" says:
there is still difference..
Aaron Chua says:
lol...so the difference is the built house? but if it going to collapse then whats the pt?
Aaron Chua says:
sry if i ask too many questions...just want to see your pt
Aaron Chua says:
pov*
"Indescribable" says:
haha no worries...
"Indescribable" says:
hold on..
"Indescribable" says:
collapse, repent and built again... non christian.. is like, duno anything abt God nor the will of God..
"Indescribable" says:
Col 2:6-8
"Indescribable" says:
our FACT Camp 2008 theme verse..
"Indescribable" says:
lol
Aaron Chua says:
hmm...another way of looking at it...nice...
"Indescribable" says:
that verse clearly show us the difference between christian and non-christian.. but i guess, u wan deeper than that rite?
Aaron Chua says:
haha no la i not so deep...lol...
Aaron Chua says:
really nice pov from you..haha
Aaron Chua says:
the "supposed" diff is immense, and seriously immense, but is it happening now in our society? that was more like the one i wanted to target..
Aaron Chua says:
eg christians are more MORE than conquerers, but is it the case when we just take a look at our school?
Aaron Chua says:
salt and light too...
"Indescribable" says:
haha.. well, my classmates which are mainly non-christian one.. cared more abt money..
"Indescribable" says:
when i asked them abt the real purpose of living.. many of them defined like, to earn money lor, safe future and so on..
"Indescribable" says:
erm, i dun get the more more than conquerers..
Aaron Chua says:
doesnt the Bible say we are more than conquerers? lol...
"Indescribable" says:
haha yea.. lol
Aaron Chua says:
u forgot? lol...
"Indescribable" says:
forget abit.. lol..
"Indescribable" says:
haiz
"Indescribable" says:
Romans 8
"Indescribable" says:
oh ya..
"Indescribable" says:
i just remembered
"Indescribable" says:
haha
"Indescribable" says:
somewhere in that chapter
Aaron Chua says:
and u are studying romans now..lol...
"Indescribable" says:
yea.. haha..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------END OF POST :D WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT ONE!--------------------------
aaron chua thanked jesus at10:54 PM
Monday, May 11, 2009
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Chapel Songs 8/5/2009 :D
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Chapel Worship 8/5/2009
Led by Mr. Marcus Chan
1) God is our Father
God is our father
And He has made us His children
Made Jesus our brother
So hand in hand we'll grow together as one
Sing praise to the Lord with the tambourine
Sing praise to the Lord with our clapping hands
Sing praise to the Lord with our dancing feet
Sing praise to the Lord with our voice
La la la la la la la la oi!
2)He is the Lord of All
(a very touching song, and a song we should always remind ourselves constantly)
He is Lord of the sunshine
and Lord of the rain
He is Lord of the good times
and Lord of the pain
He is Lord of the mountains
and Lord of the seas
He is Lord of the music,
Lord of the children
Lord of you and me.
3)Our School Hymn
(dedicated to the student councillsors -
you wont believe it, but it is an actual hymn in oremus hymnal!)
Our Father, by whose servants
our house was built of old,
whose hand hath crowned her children
with blessing manifold,
for thine unfailing mercies
far-strewn along our way,
with all who passed before us,
we praise thy Name today.
(Found this extra verse on net:
The changeful years unresting
their silent course have sped,
new comrades ever bringing
in comrades' steps to tread;
and some are long forgotten,
long spent their hopes and fears;
safe rest they in thy keeping,
who changest not with years.)
They reap not where they labored;
we reap what they have sown;
our harvest may be garnered
by ages yet unknown.
The days of old have dowered us
with gifts beyond all praise;
our Father, make us faithful
to serve the coming days.
Before us and beside us,
still holden in thine hand
a cloud unseen of witness,
our elder comrades stand:
one family unbroken,
we join, with one acclaim,
one heart, one voice uplifting
to glorify thy Name.
aaron chua thanked jesus at11:29 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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how different has your life been after you received Christ?
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i didnt know i was the 9th serach result of google "dare to run". Lol.
Just now during cell group worship, when I was singing this song "Everything to Me" by Avalon (anyone who wants the cd can borrow from me haha) then this line popped to me "I want to tell the world I found A love that turned my life around..." After we received Christ there should be a transformation inwardly.
QN:how different has your life been after you received Christ?"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:17-18. "
"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin." 1 John 5:18
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:17
I think that this frequent reflection upon this question can judge our spiritual "level" with God. A few pre-requisite questions first:
1) Can you imagine what you will be like if you did not receive Christ?
2) How different is it now and then?
3) How did you feel when you receive the gospel of love?
As economics say, people usually consume things that are bad for themselves (demerit goods). In other words, if we do not check ourselves and guard ourselves, we will slip. (unless u are at the bottom of the pit alr la).
Think and reflect about this question.
aaron chua thanked jesus at1:23 AM