tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69039906789885888392024-03-20T02:45:14.992+08:00My Sermon InfoChris Kamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10548890756021655593noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6903990678988588839.post-52862106226792215582011-11-26T21:56:00.002+08:002011-11-26T23:01:18.637+08:00Studies on Psalm 119 VI: (Psalm 119:121-144)<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwAyubn-VG2GPxjDgWNI6URxD5EzCsBfHwK9a26V91vQimq4JXtGA7VSO2McF0MzWqt9K_KJiXY_WJ7fTPy0xA8Xhw7KZDkTX4qYzOr6TUJ02rw5COYNlWmwOY97HuUZJkX8JqQvPUSA/s1600/psalm+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwAyubn-VG2GPxjDgWNI6URxD5EzCsBfHwK9a26V91vQimq4JXtGA7VSO2McF0MzWqt9K_KJiXY_WJ7fTPy0xA8Xhw7KZDkTX4qYzOr6TUJ02rw5COYNlWmwOY97HuUZJkX8JqQvPUSA/s1600/psalm+119.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">26/27 Nov 2011 – Pr Chris Kam</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Studies on Psalm 119 VI: (Psalm 119:121-144)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Four Marks of a Man of the Word</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(Pardon some grammatical and structural mistakes. It is unedited and written in a conversational style.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Interestingly, in the Quran, Jews and Christians are called People of the Book. For the Jews, it’s their Torah, our OT and for the Christians, it’s both the NT and the OT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It is hard to read the Word of God without being confronted with who we are. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.” Charles Dickens.</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Bible will reveal the depravity of our human hearts and at the same time show us something about the dignity of a human life in the way God sees us. We will be amazed to learn that God made us in His image and He declared us and everything He had made as <b><span style="color: red;">very good</span></b>. <b><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">(Turn to one another and affirm it)</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My own journey with God – I was introduced at the age of 15 to this incredible book and I still remember the Good News Bible that I read for the very first time. I attended an Anglican mission primary school and attended my very first Sunday School when I was in Standard one. I still remember the fun and presents. There was a long pause until I was invited to join the youth fellowship of this church when I was 15. I bought a Bible for myself and I remember vividly lying on my bed reading with fascination the book of Revelation. You must remember that this is in the 70's and I was fascinated by the 666 sign on the right hand or the forehead. How was it possible that one cannot buy or trade without this sign and with today's technology of course, we know we can embed this sign under our skin with a computer chip. I was fascinated with stories of the past, the relevance for the present and the hope of the future. This book changed my life as a teenager to who I am today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Psalmist is deeply impacted by the Word of God. From this passage, and other passages from Psalms, we can see clearly <b>Four Marks of a Man of the Word. </b>(or woman, generic)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Deeply <u>Devoted</u> to the Word of God and the God of the Word<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What does the Psalmist says about the Word (<b><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">Law, Testimonies, Judgement, Precepts, Statues, Commandments, Ordinance, Promises and Word</span></i></b>)?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">127</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">128</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">129</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">131</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">137</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">138</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">140</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">142</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><u><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">From the language of the writer, you can feel the consuming love for the Word.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I am a man of one Book. John Wesley.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds (81 kg). After the party had gone 300 miles (500 km), Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As he continued on his journey his library grew less and less, until he had but one book left--his Bible.</span></i></b> <b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It was the living Word of God, which he could not do without. He believed it and found it to be true. It was his most treasured possession.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Best seller single volume of all time (Not including the Bible): <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, published in 1859, 200 million copies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">December 2007 issue of Time: <b><span style="color: red;">China’s New Bestseller: The Bible<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">China had officially printed 50 million bibles and it is still not enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">"No one really knows how many copies of the Bible have been printed, sold, or distributed. The Bible Society’s attempt to calculate the number printed between 1816 and 1975 produced the figure of 2,458,000,000. A more recent survey, for the years up to 1992, put it closer to 6,000,000,000 in more than 2,400 languages and dialects. 200-300 millions are distributed each year. Whatever the precise figure, the Bible is by far the bestselling book of all time."<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My wife and I just returned from a 3-week holiday trip to the States. My wife was there for a 4-day conference and because she could get a buy-one-free-one ticket, I jumped at the offer. This is the first time we were away from our three boys this long. We were more worried for them than they are for us. In fact one of them when asked how they felt about us being away for so long, he said, “Very good, a lot of freedom!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We realized that whichever hotel that we stayed in the different cities, or at the different airports, or wherever we go, we did one thing which we don’t always do so passionately in the past. The constant question is, “Is there any free wifi connection?” We will be skyping the boys almost everyday. We were passionate about the wifi as a tool because we wanted to connect with the boys. We wanted to communicate with them because we love them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Very much like love letters for courting couples – waiting in anticipation of communicating with each other. During my days in universities overseas, snail mail was the only option. We write a letter and wait for 2-3 weeks. 1 week for the letter to go, another week for the person to write and a further one week for the reply to arrive. Today of course you have skype.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Bible is very much like that. It is a love letter, a tool that God used to write to us. By itself, it is only paper and ink. What is important is not the tool, but the Writer. This is a history book, a love story, a biography (written account of and about God), and an autobiography (God writing about Himself). It is also an instruction and rule book. But it is much more than that. It is a book to introduce you to the Author and that this Author is inviting you to His house to live in there and be a part of His family and to have a relationship with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This will very much reveal the reason for our lack of passion for the Bible. The only way we will truly have a passion is to know this God of the Word. If we read this merely as an academic exercise, it will be hard and tedious. But when you have a relationship with this God, you can’t wait but read His letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><u><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">He recognises that God is the One who gives understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">a. From the language of the writer, you can feel the consuming love for the Word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">125</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.<br />
<sup>130</sup> The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">135</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">144</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Your statutes are for ever right; give me understanding that I may live. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Bible is for everyone, from the uneducated to the educated. So don't fret if you don't understand it first time. Often God will reveal certain truth at the appropriate time. HS will reveal all truths.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Few tips:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Don't try to merely read the Bible without asking God to help you. Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Read not just to know more about the book and stories, but know the Writer and His heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Read the whole Bible to know this God. No one reads a novel by starting in the middle and then reads parts of it as he goes along. Bible without verses.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Do it systematically each day and don't do it in chunks - missed 4 days and then crammed in 5 days reading on the fifth day. Follow our Bible Reading Plan and journalling exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">BIBLE - Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Bible introduces the Author and we are told how we can have a relationship with Him. There is a big difference therefore between reading the Bible as a rule book and reading it as a love letter from Someone. One is reading it from the head. The other from the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything but that. The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter. - Bishop Phillip Brooks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Recognises the <u>Defiance</u> of his hearts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">141</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Though I am <u>lowly and despised,</u> I do not forget your precepts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">29</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">36</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Turn my heart towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">37</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">As we read on and the stories unfold of humankind, we see the depravity of our hearts when we sin and turn away from God. We saw the capacity of the human heart for evil because the very dignity of human free will can be used for evil and not for good. My wife and I visited the Holocaust museum in Washington DC where it documented the atrocities of Nazi Germany. Humans were treated like animals to be slaughtered. <span class="apple-style-span">We also visited the 911 memorial in New York. We still see today what the human heart is capable of. The evil that men can do to each other.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One cannot be neutral about the Bible. If we say it is a holy book from God, then we cannot take some parts of it about blessings and reject the rest about the punishment of sin and eternal condemnation of hell. Often people react upon reading the Bible because they like the 'God is love' part but don't like the part that God is also holy and just. We still argue that if God is a God of love, how can He allow people to go to hell? These arguments come from people who read a bit of the Bible but not in its entire context. They do not know the God of the Bible, that we don’t deserve anything but the wrath of God because of our sins and it is through the grace and love of God that we are given a free way out of this condemnation when we accept what Jesus did on the cross for us. (We don’t deserve to be saved.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We tend to think that the older we grow as a Christian, the easier it becomes. But I find it to the contrary. The older I grow as a Christian, I grow more in recognition that I truly do have a very sinful heart. Given a chance, I will do what is right in my own eyes. Consistent in pattern of all writings of godly saints, they feel the same way about themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Romans 7</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> (Struggle in his inner self. His conclusion: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">24</span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? </span></b><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!)</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">What I have learnt is that there is a greater dependence on the Lord as I grow older to deal with me. The Word exposes us for who we are. That’s why when we don’t spend time with God in His Word, we become more casual and bolder in sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sin comes when we take a perfectly natural desire or longing or ambition and try desperately to fulfil it without God. Not only is it sin, it is a perverse distortion of the image of the Creator in us. All these good things, and all our security, are rightly found only and completely in him. (Saint Augustine, The Confessions of Saint Augustine.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This was how Susannah Wesley defined "sin" to her young son, John Wesley: "If you would judge of the lawfulness or the unlawfulness of pleasure, then take this simple rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things--that to you is sin."<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We have much baggages and bondages in our lives:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">- Some are trapped in bitterness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">- Some in addiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">- Some in sinful habits.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">- Some in deep personal confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Word of God helps to be aware of our sinful heart and gives us the way forward to live victoriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Accepts the <u>Discipline</u> of the God of the Word <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">124</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decree.<br />
<sup>132</sup> Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">133</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">143</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">71</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">While we love the wonderful promises of God, we must remember that God's primary purpose is not to make us happy, but holy. While there are many blessings in being a Christian, yet God is more interested to mould us into His image and have a Christ-like character. Many Christians can fall into the trap of treating God like a big departmental store. We go and choose what we like and leave out what we don't like. We allowed consumerism to seep into our Christian life. We do what's convenience rather than what's sacrificial. There is a big disconnect with what is inside from the outside. It’s not the same. While there's no reason why God cannot bless us financially and with good health, we must not forget the other part of volunteer simplicity, of sacrifice. Many have lived out the principle of living simply so that others may simply live. We too have many encouraging e.g. of people who could have spend more time making more money, yet they tithe their energy, effort and money for the Kingdom. Some choose a lesser paying job so that they have more time for what's important. Do not envy those who have big pay check because they struggle more inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Often God has to discipline us because we are hard of hearing. A man of the Word will recognize that God will discipline him for his good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Hebrews 12<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">God is good. God is in control. God will bring things to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Ask not why, but what you can learn from it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">But we have to be careful that we do not look for instant answers: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Perseverance, Condensed from Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back by Charles Swindoll.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Flaw 4: Being exposed to sound Bible teaching automatically solves problems. Bible instruction alone will not result in instant solutions to problems. No matter how reliable the teaching or how gifted the teacher, the declaration of truth does not provide the removal of difficulties.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Think of the Scriptures as an absolutely accurate map. A map tells you how to get to a certain destination. But just looking at a map won't automatically transport you to Arizona or England or Peru. Getting to those places means you have to make the effort...pay the cost...take the time for travel...stay at it until you arrive. In a word, persevere. So it is in the Christian life. God's map is reliable and available. It is also clear and direct. But there is no hocus-pocus in its pages that automatically sends its reader by way of a magic carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Please don't misunderstand. I love God's Word! I am more convinced than ever in my life that its trustworthy truths are of inestimable value. But although the Bible may be a trustworthy book, it is certainly no magic potion that you rub on yourself three times a day to chase the devil away. Nor is it something you take internally with a pious promise to God, hoping that the next morning you will suddenly know and experience all its truths.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">There is no such "instant maturity" available on this earth. God does not offer a formula that produces fully mature Christians overnight. Christian growth comes through hard-core, gutsy perseverance (a forgotten word!) of applying what you hear and obeying it...and thereby learning how to handle those inevitable problems. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Prepared to confront the <u>Disregard</u> of the world<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">122</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">126</span></sup></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> It is time for you to act, O Lord; your law is being broken. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">134</span></sup></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">139</span></sup></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The world will disregard the standards of God and therefore you will be the subject of ridicule. Better get use to it. You should not be surprise that this is happening. This has already happen to the early Christian. <b><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">1 Peter 4: 12-13<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></i></b><b><i><sup><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">12</span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><sup>13</sup> But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glo</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ry is revealed.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We are called aliens and strangers in this world. We are pilgrims and sojourners, temporary passing through to a better place. We are called Living Stones, Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation in 1 Peter 2. We are called to be different from the world, reflecting the image of God to the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Aliens and strangers of this world. You have become a misfit when you accept the Lord. You don’t fit in anymore. You don’t belong. Do you feel like that when you become a Christian? I used to do this, but I no longer do. My mouth got cleaned up. What seems perfectly okay before cos everyone is doing it become morally wrong today. Your friends may ask you, “Is there something wrong with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The greatest compliment someone can give you as a Christian is they say to you “You are different now.” I hope in a right way. I remember this lecture mate in Australian, Mike, a bushy hair and beardy, sat down with me during lunch, turned to me and said: “You are different, you know.” “What do you mean?” “I don’t know, just different from anyone else.” I realise that the reason why he said I am different was because he always felt he was an outcast, nobody wants to be his friend, whether by his looks or mannerism, but I was one of the very few who would bother to be his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Because you are different, some will like you, some will not and some will even hate you. Simply because you are a man or woman of the Word. You will be different because the Word of God and the God of the Word will transform you. Don’t be surprise by that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If you are not any different when you start the New Year in 2012, as compared to 1 Jan 2011, something is wrong somewhere. As we grow in width and breadth of Scripture, we must also grow in depth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If the Bible is God’s love letter to us, what’s our love letter to God? Our lives. Get to know the God of the Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Romans 12:1-2<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">a</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> act of worship. 2 Do</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><u>Sincerely Yours by Gary Chapman</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(Click on the streampad bar below for the song)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Lord I take my pen to write to You a letter<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Knowing even now You know what’s on my mind<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">But I think perhaps it might make me feel better<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If I see myself here written in a line …..<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">But as I close I see a phrase I took for granted<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">And it leaps out as I see it written there<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">And as the truth of it begins<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">To become planted<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">These two words have now become<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My heartfelt prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">CHORUS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Lord, I sign my life to You<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">With a strong and honest wish<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">To be the best that I can be<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">At what I am<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Without a thought for me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Lord, teach me now to be …..<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Without a proud or selfish line<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">From now until there is no time<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Please make my life become a letter<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">You can keep<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">And never throw away<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I’ll write it till the day that I become<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sincerely Yours<o:p></o:p></span></div>Chris Kamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10548890756021655593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6903990678988588839.post-7351947024293779142010-03-25T21:54:00.000+08:002010-03-28T00:09:08.206+08:00My Sermon 27/28 Mar 2010 - The Disciples & the Storm (Mk. 4:35-41)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><u>My opening song:</u></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><u><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Living He loved me</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Dying He saved me</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Buried He carried my sins far away</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rising He justified freely forever</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day He's coming</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">O Glorious Day!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Paintings of Mark 4:35-41</span></u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Ludolf Backhuyse - </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Christ in Storm on Sea of Galilee </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Rembrant - Christ in the Storm</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's the interview with Rick Warren:</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u>Summary Version:</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense. Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is “my problem, my issues, my pain.” But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better...God didn't put me on earth just to fulfil a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Painful moments, TRUST GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every moment, THANK GOD."</span> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSxZrYKhMvbJ52oLKe2IxrZc7LdaG2QEfhHGk5jUkFFa4bK__Qrk5lZcn-UsDFOV1mIP0xhJWUpeoZAI734x8aaM8rk6uabuzGsnCecIYnYjgXJLt_4llcEJivII9mw0iW06hzto4rFQ/s1600/John-Wesley2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSxZrYKhMvbJ52oLKe2IxrZc7LdaG2QEfhHGk5jUkFFa4bK__Qrk5lZcn-UsDFOV1mIP0xhJWUpeoZAI734x8aaM8rk6uabuzGsnCecIYnYjgXJLt_4llcEJivII9mw0iW06hzto4rFQ/s320/John-Wesley2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #365f91;">John Wesley’s own experience with the Morovians Christians</span></u></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #365f91;">John and his brother Charles were sent by the Church of England as missionaries to Georgia, in the American colony. On board ship, while sailing to America, he saw a group of German Moravians who were unafraid of a great storm that nearly destroyed the ship. John himself was terrified by the storm. But those German Christians sang songs and had no fear. This impressed him greatly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #365f91;">John failed as a missionary in Georgia. During this time he realized that he had never been truly converted. As he left Georgia for a return trip to England he knew he had failed. He wrote in his Journal, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">“I went to America to convert the Indians; but O! who shall convert me? Who shall deliver me from this heart of unbelief? O, who will deliver me from the fear of death?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #365f91;">When he got back to London John Wesley met Peter Bohler, a member of the group of German Moravians who had impressed him with their courage during that storm at sea. Peter Bohler instructed him in how to experience conversion. The counselling of Bohler and his readings from Luther’s commentary on Galatians, which emphasized justification by faith in Christ alone, prepared him for true conversion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #365f91;">“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society [Bible study group] in Aldersgate, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while [Luther] was describing the change which God works in the heart though faith in Christ, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">I felt my heart strangely warmed.</span> I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and had saved me from the law of sin and death.”</span></div></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75FPY7BfDIdxtWdp2EclHxZ3nWVz7lb0u_uvZ9fW10xmNmFto53A_4P0eIW6qIOlpRMHf9jbAlOCc0LXtJILdCPSIYEnFfdEOcEeraelTqNo_4yIlr1gLMoA7Wye6BM2TI71JUJRVzc0/s1600/Joseph-Scriven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75FPY7BfDIdxtWdp2EclHxZ3nWVz7lb0u_uvZ9fW10xmNmFto53A_4P0eIW6qIOlpRMHf9jbAlOCc0LXtJILdCPSIYEnFfdEOcEeraelTqNo_4yIlr1gLMoA7Wye6BM2TI71JUJRVzc0/s320/Joseph-Scriven.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Story of Joseph Scriven</span></u></div></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #365f91;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #365f91;">In 1875, Mr Ira Sanskey, Moody’s famous gospel singer, was in the midst of compiling the very first Gospel hymn book, came across a hymn in a pamphlet of Sunday School hymns. The completed manuscript was already in the hands of the publisher but he liked the hymn so much, he added the hymn at the very last minute. The composer of the hymn’s tune was his good friend, Mr Charles Converse and they thought the writer of the lyrics belong to a Scottish minister by the name of Horatius Bonar.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #365f91;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But it was years later that they discovered Pr Bonar was not the author but another person by the name of Joseph Scriven. Joseph was an Irishman born in Dublin in the year 1820 and was educated in Trinity college in his home city. In due time, he was to be engaged to a beautiful lady and on the eve of their wedding, she died in an accidental drowning. As a result of that, he became a Christian in his sorrows. Shortly after at the age of 25, he decided to migrate to Canada where he settled. While there, he was engaged to another lady and just before their wedding, she too became ill with pneumonia and died. Heartbroken he never married and but devoted his life in serving the poor and needy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When he was 35 in the year 1855, he wrote a poem to comfort his mother in Ireland during a difficult period of her life. It was entitled “Pray without Ceasing.” He never told anyone about it but his mother gave a copy of that poem to someone and it ended up in the Sunday school pamphlet. When he was dying at the age of 66, a neighbour who was visiting him saw this poem on a table by his bed and he asked him “Are you the author of this lovely hymn?” Joseph replied: “The Lord and I did it together.” It was then the author of this famous hymn was eventually discovered and known throughout the world after he died. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">What a friend we have in Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">All our sins and griefs to bear!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">What a privilege to carry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Everything to God in prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">O what peace we often forfeit<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">O what needless pain we bear<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">All because we do not carry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Everything to God in prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Have we trials and temptations!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Is there trouble anywhere?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">We should never be discouraged;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Can we find a friend so faithful<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Who will all our sorrows share?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Jesus knows our every weakness;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Are we weak and heavy laden<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Cumbered with a load of care?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Precious Saviour, still our refuge;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Take it to the Lord in prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Thou wilt find a solace there.</span><o:p></o:p></div></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #365f91;"><br />
</span></span></div>Chris Kamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10548890756021655593noreply@blogger.com0