Category: Blog Announcement

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
In essence, Mark records what
Jesus did, Matthew and Luke
records what Jesus said while John
shares Who Jesus was. And Acts
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Eph,Paul strengthens believers by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, Paul shows true joy
comes from Jesus Christ alone.
In Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.
In Thess, Paul encourages the church to persevere in midst of trials.
Paul’s two letters to Timothy give
advice for building strong leadership
and offer principles for discipleship.
In Titus, Paul gives pointers on
church supervision; while in Philemon, he urges forgiveness
and acceptance of erring brother.
Next, non Pauline epistles: Hebrews,
James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John & Jude.

Hebrews: Many Jewish believers
were tempted to renounce their
newfound faith and return to
Judaism to escape persecution.
The anonymous writer of Hebrews
appeals to them to pursue maturity
based on Christ’s superiority
to the Jewish religious system.
More is to be gained by suffering
for Christ than by reverting
to a system He came to fulfill.

James: In this epistle to Jewish
believers, the apostle James shows
how faith integrates with everyday
practical experience by stressing
that true faith produces doers
of the Word. For James, a faith
that produces no change in a
person’s life is really no faith at all.
True faith will bear fruit in deeds.
It endures trials, obeys the Word,
controls the tongue, separates
from the world and resists the devil.

In 1 Peter, Apostle Paul offers
encouragement to suffering
Christians. He begins by stressing
the riches of their salvation and
their need for holy lives. Then
he encourages them to develop
an attitude of submission and
humble dependence on God.
And in 2 Peter, Paul warns
Christians about false teachers
and to exhort them to grow in their
faith in and knowledge of Christ

In 1 John, the apostle writes to
help his spiritual brothers in their
walk with the God who is light,
love and life. He is a God of light
and believers must walk in integrity.
He is a God of love and believers
must manifest love for one another.
And He is a God of life and believers
are assured of eternal life in Christ.
In 2 John, the apostle emphasises
the basics of following Christ,
namely truth and love as well as
warns them against false teachers.
And in 3 John, the apostle commends Gaius for hospitality & encourages
him in his Christian life.

Jude: Alarmed by the presence
of false teachers in the church,
Jude is compelled to unmask
their deadly ways and to exhort
believers to stand firm for truth.
Jude who was the brother of James,
ends this short but powerful epistle
with a series of urgent commands:
Remember Christ’s words,
remain in God’s love and seek
to remove erring brothers from
the fiery danger of their ways.

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
We have also covered Acts which
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Eph,Paul strengthens believers by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, Paul shows true joy
comes from Jesus Christ alone.
In Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.
In Thessalonians, Paul encourages
the church to persevere in midst
of persecutions; and not be weary
in doing good before Christ returns.
Next, we will meditate on Pauline
pastoral epistles over 3 weekends.

ITimothy: Timothy a young disciple
discovered by Paul on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16:1),
enjoyed a unique relationship with
the apostle. Referred to as his
‘own son’ in the faith, Timothy
ministered side by side with Paul
as a missionary and later received
the challenging assignment of
pastoring the church in Ephesus.
Paul’s first letter to him resembles
a manual for building church
leadership. More generally, it is
a rich mine of principles for anyone
who wishes to have a spiritual
impact in the lives of others.

2Timothy: Paul’s life is drawn to
a lonely close in a Roman prison
as he writes to encourage Timothy,
whom he refers to as his ‘own son’
in the faith. Timothy has ministered
side by side in mission endeavors
with the apostle, but now he faces
new challenges as pastor of the
church at Ephesus. Paul’s first
letter offers instruction and advice
for building strong leadership
within the congregation and lays
down principles for those who
want a ministry of discipleship.
Underlying each theme is the
importance of God’s Word
as the foundation for living.

Titus lived on Crete, the largest
island in the Mediterranean
and worked among a people
who collectively had one of the
worst reputations in the world.
Paul had left Titus to oversee the
growth of the church there and
now writes to encourage him in
that difficult task. In order to promote
sound teaching and offset false
doctrines that were in the rise,
Titus is told to appoint and
train spiritual leaders as elders.
Paul’s short letter is a summary of
Christian doctrine that emphasises
holy living and encourages all
to live worthy of the gospel.

Philemon: On the run after committing a wrong against his master, Onesimus the slave sought
refuge among the masses in the city
of Rome. There he crosses Paul’s
path and converts to faith in Christ.
Though he shows his gratitude by
serving Paul, he still must reconcile
with his master Philemon. Paul writes
this letter to Philemon asking him
to forgive Onesimus, the bearer
of the letter, and to accept him as
a brother in Christ.This short epistle
reminds believers of our heavenly
Father’s love and forgiveness.

We start the Gospels, with
Matthew who presents Jesus as
the Christ, Israel’s messianic King.
Mark presents Jesus as the Servant
who gave his life for mankind.
Luke presents Him as the perfect
Son of Man saving the lost.
And John presents Jesus as
Son of God offering eternal life.
We have also covered Acts which
chronicles Growth of the church.

Turning to the Pauline epistles:
In Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.
In Galatians, Paul calls Christians
to faith and freedom in Christ.
In Ephesians, Paul strengthens
the believers in their faith by
explaining the purpose of the church.
In Philippians, strengthens believers
by showing that true joy comes
from Jesus Christ alone. And in
Colossians, Paul shows believers
have everything they need in Christ.

And Paul writes 1 Thessalonians
to encourage them. They were
being persecuted and he urges
them to persevere. Their city is
full of sensual temptation and
he exhorts them to hold to
Christian standards. Finally he
corrects some misunderstanding
about the return of Christ.

As the believers face growing
persecution, Paul writes 2 Thess to
encourage them God’s judgment
will eventually bring about justice.
He dispels the rumour that the
Day of the Lord has already come.
They had concluded they were living in the tribulation and quit their jobs.
Paul exhorts them to return to work
& stop burdening the body of Christ.
Instead they are to use the time
they have and not be weary in
well doing before Christ returns.

We will cover the two letters
to the Thessalonians in two weekends over four sessions:
1Ths 1-3: Faithfulness to the Lord
1Ths 4-5: Watchfulness for the Lord
2Ths 1-2: Hope in Christ’s Return
2Ths 3: Living in Light of His Return
Lord as we meditate, help us
be strengthened in our faith,
be remain faithful to the Lord;
be Prepared for Your Return.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

To enhance understanding biblical
context we had been meditating
scripture by time sequence:
OT1: Five Books of Laws & Job
OT2: Conquest to United Kingdom,
including Psalms & Wisdom Poetry.
OT3: Divided Kingdom, Exile, plus
Post-Exilic period & the Prophets.
Then gospels ending John where
we learnt Jesus Christ as Son of God
& believing we have life in His name.
Acts records fulfilment of Jesus’
Commission as Spirit-transformed
disciples spread the gospel. In
Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.
And First and Second Corinthians,
Living for Christ in corrupt society.

Next, Paul’s letter to the Galatians
doesn’t open with his usual greeting
of praise and prayer for the saints.
There is an emergency at hand!
The Galatians have listened to
false teachers who have come into
the church teaching that salvation
in a mixture of works and grace.
Paul warns the believers about
the bondage this type of deception
brings and exhorts them to return
to the freedom that is theirs in Christ.
He goes on to show that it is in
the Spirit, not the flesh, that the
Christian life is successfully lived.

The Ephesians had unlimited
spiritual wealth at their disposal,
yet they lived as spiritual paupers.
So Paul wrote to encourage them
to understand and claim their
heavenly resources. Only then
could they draw on them for their
early walk. In the first half of
his letter, the apostle outlines
the heavenly wealth – adoption,
redemption, inheritance & power.
In the second half he shows the
practical application of those
doctrines. Paul made it clear –
believers are not to have merely
an earthly viewpoint. For God
has given to us His riches.

In Philippians, Paul is a prisoner
in Rome. In spite of his difficult
circumstances, he remains joyful
and writes to commend the
Philippians for their faithfulness
and to challenge them to make
Christ the center of their experience.
Jesus’ life and ministry, described
in 2:6-11, is the life pattern all
believers must follow so that
their faith might become evident
to others. Paul acknowledges
that divisions sometimes exist
among believers but is confident
that unity will be restored as they
imitate the servanthood of Christ.

Paul is imprisoned in Rome when
he receives word that heretical
doctrines are threatening the
church at Colosse. To refute
the spiritually lethal combination
of eastern mysticism and Jewish legalism, Paul reestablishes
the truth of the gospel and demonstrates the supremacy
of Christ. As Lord of all, Jesus
Christ is the giver of salvation and
sufficient for every need. No rituals
or legalistic practices are needed.
Since Christ is all in all, Paul
encourages the Colossians
to pursue a godly lifestyle befitting
those who are risen with Christ.

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence over 3OT phases:
OT1: Five Books of Laws & Job
OT2: Conquest to United Kingdom,
including Psalms & Wisdom Poetry.
OT3: Divided Kingdom, Exile, plus
Post-Exilic period & the Prophets.
Then we meditated on the gospels
ending with John where we learnt
Jesus Christ as Son of God and
believing we have life in His name.
Acts records fulfilment of Jesus’
Commission as Spirit-transformed
disciples spread the gospel. And in
Romans, Paul gives a sample of his
message before he arrives in Rome.

Next First and Second Corinthians.
In New Testament times, Corinth
was famous as the commercial hub
of southern Greece. But it was also
infamous as a center of immorality.
Despite that, Paul established
a church there near the end of
his second missionary journey
(Acts 18:1-17). Though the church
was in Corinth, Corinth was also
in the church, infecting its fellowship
and witness. Paul recognises
the gifts and strengths of the
church but he also deals decisively
with the problems plaguing it.
His goal is that all things be done
decently and in order (1Cor 14:40).

Paul’s troubles with the Corinthians
continued. After his first letter,
Paul’s teaching, character and
motives were brought under attack.
Paul writes back to set forth
his credentials and vindicate
his conduct, thanking those
who support him and appealing
to the rebellious minority. The book
is heavily autobiographical, offering
glimpses into the life of Paul:
his preconversion background,
his visions from Goa, his thorn
in the flesh and his persecution
for the cause of Christ.

We’ll meditate I&2 Corinthians over
4 weekends in following divisions:
1C1-6: Problems of Factions
1C7-10: Perspectives on Liberty
1C11-14: Perspectives on Worship
1C15-16: Perspectives on Resurrectn
2C1-5: Minister of the Gospel
2C6-9: Motivation in the Gospel
2C10-13:Authority as Gospel Minister
Lord, You are a holy God and
we recognise the importance that
all things be done decently and
in order. Grant us Lord the grace
of wisdom and strength to do so.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray.

 

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence over 3OT phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets
Then we meditated on John where
we learnt Jesus Christ as Son of God
and believing we’ve life in His name.
And Acts records fulfilment of Jesus’
Commission as Spirit-transformed
disciples spread the gospel.

Next, Romans. Although Paul had
not founded the church in Rome,
he had heard of the exemplary faith
and service of the Roman believers,
and he intended to visit them.
Thus the letter to the Romans
served to introduce both Paul
and his messages. As such, it has
been called the gospel according
to Paul. Writing perhaps from Corinth
on his third missionary journey,
Paul sets forth some of the central
doctrines of the Christian faith:
justification by faith, life in the Spirit,
unity in the body & God’s redemptn
program for Jew and Gentile alike.

We will meditate Romans over three
weekends in the following divisions:
R1-3: Problem of Unrighteousness
R4-5: Provision of Righteousness
R6-8: Pursuit of Righteousness
R9-11: Program of Righteousness
R12-16: Practice of Righteousness
Lord, thank You that we have
been justified through faith; and
thanks that we have peace with God
through our Jesus Christ. Amen.

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we had been meditating scripture
by time sequence in 25 months
over three Old Testament phases:
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets
Earlier this month we meditated
on John gospel where we learnt
Jesus Christ as Son of God and that
believing we have life in His name.

Next, beginning with a frightened
band of disciples in an upper room,
Acts traces the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit in Jerusalem following
the ascension of Christ, and the
subsequent spread and growth
of Christianity throughout the
Roman Empire. Written by Luke,
Acts records the fulfilment of
Jesus’ Great Commission as
Spirit-transformed disciples carry
the gospel to Jerusalem… Judea
and the uttermost part of the earth.

We will meditate Acts over five
weekends in following divisions:
Acts 1-4: Spirit of the Church
Acts 5-7: Growth of the Church
Acts 8-12: Persecution & Expansion
Acts 13-20: Paul’s Mission Journeys
Acts 21-28: Lessons fr Paul’s Trials
Lord, even as we learn of the growth
of the church, may we be challenged
to witness for Christ for His glory.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Preview on Daniel (Oct 24)
The Lord God In Control

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC);
Ezekiel written 571BC & Daniel (536)

Daniel presents a majestic sweep
of prophetic history. World powers
come and go, but God will establish
His people forever. Nowhere is this
theme more apparent than in the life
of Daniel, a young Jew transplanted
to Babylonia. His adventures in the
palace and the lions’ den show that
even in exile God has not forgotten
His chosen people. Daniel’s dreams
& interpretations of others’ dreams
convince Jew and Gentile alike that
wisdom and power belong to God
alone. God is in control, not only of
the present but of the future as well.

We will meditate Daniel over two
weekends over following 4 divisions:
Dan 1-3: Dream of the Statue
Dan 4-6: Daniel’s Faith in Lion’s Den
Dan 7-9: Visions of the Beasts
Dan 10-12: Visions of the Man
Lord, the book of Daniel shows
You are all knowing and in charge
of world events. And that You will
deliver the faithful who follow You.
Grant us grace Lord to submit
to Your reign in our life. Amen.

Preview on Matthew Gospel (Nov 7)
Jesus Our Lord, Master & King

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Return From Exile & Prophets

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC);
Ezekiel written 571BC & Daniel (536)

Before continuing with return from
exile, we will have an interlude on
Matthew which introduces Jesus
as the Messiah the prophesied King.
Opposition to His ministry grows as
religious leaders deny His claims and
leading Jesus to turn to His disciples.
Through miracles, parables and
sermons, He prepares them for
the climax of His earthly ministry,
His sacrificial death, burial and
resurrection. Prior to ascension,
Jesus commissions His disciples
to continue the work He began.

We will meditate Matthew over four
weekends on following 8 divisions:
Matt 1-4: Arrival of the Messiah
Matt 5-7: Teaching by the Messiah
Matt 8-11: Healing by the Messiah
Mt 12-15: Reactions to the Messiah
Mt 16-19: Sermons by the Messiah
Mt 20-23: Parables of the Messiah
Mt 24-25:Prophesies by the Messiah
Mt 26-28: Finished Work of Messiah
O Jesus, You are not only our Saviour
but also our Lord. Grant us grace to
submit to Your reign in our life. Amen.

Preview Esther, Ezra & Neh (Dec 5)
Post Exilic Period

As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets

Phase 3 follows the reign of United
Kingdom. Solomon’s zeal for God
cools as pagan wives turn his heart
away from godly worship. The next
century sees the decline of the two
nations,indifferent to God’s precepts.
In 2 Kings, the author weaves the
historical threads of two nations
into one fabric. In Israel, 19 wicked
kings in succession led the people
even further from God. Despite the
efforts of Elisha & other prophets,
judgment can no longer be stayed.
Israel finally went into captivity,
being dispersed by the Assyrians.
To the south, Judah survives 150
years longer; but corrupt leadership
brings about 70-yr exile in Babylonia.
Then four minor prophets to Israel:
Hosea, Amos, Jonah and Nahum.

2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC);
Ezekiel written 571BC & Daniel (536)

In the final part of Phase Three,
we begin with Esther, written
470BC with the purpose to
demonstrate God’s sovereignty
and His loving care for His people.
Ezra (written 450BC) with purpose
to show God’s faithfulness and the
way he kept his people to their land.
Nehemiah (445-432) the last of
the OT historical books; records
the history of the third return to
Jerusalem after captivity, telling
how the walls were rebuilt and the
people were renewed in their faith.
Then we end with minor prophets:
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

Esther: Like an exciting novel, the
real-life drama of Esther puts a
beautiful heroine against a hateful
villain, builds to a life-threatening
climax, then ends with a surprise.
Beautiful Esther is among the
many Jews whose family chooses
to remain in Persia following the
return of Israel to Jerusalem with
Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
Selected as queen, she discovers
a court official’s plot to kill her and
her countrymen. In a dramatic turn
of events, God uses the roll of the
dice and a king’s sleeplessness to
save the day & preserve His people.

Zechariach: Using colourful visions
and consoling sermons to portray
God’s glorious future plans for
His covenant people, Zechariah
encourages the workers engaged
in rebuilding the temple. Although
early enthusiasm has waned, the
task is an moorland one, for the
temple will be the focal point of the
ministry of Israel’s coming Messiah.
God will keep His promises to
His people, and fasting will turn
to feasting when Messiah arrives.
So put away sin, finish the temple,
and await the Messiah eagerly.

Malachi: Years after the restoration
from exile, the spiritual condition
of God’s people has deteriorated.
Again they lapsed into the same
sins that brought about captivity.
They tithe sporadically, ignore
the Sabbath and intermarry with
unbelievers. Their hearts have
grown hard and their love for God
has grown cold, yet Malachi comes
to remind the people of God’s love
for them. Malachi’s final warning
about the purifying Day of the Lord
marks the close of the OT period
which is followed by 400 years
of silence in the biblical record.