ENGLISH SERVICE
7 September 2025
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Genesis 48-49
Pastor Simon Lam
Jacob’s story reminds us that God can redeem even the most broken lives and turn them into blessings. Once known as a deceiver and usurper, Jacob finished his life as a patriarch of faith, blessing the generations after him and testifying to God’s covenant love. His journey shows us that what matters is not just how we begin, but how we finish. With God’s grace, we too can finish well. As John Wesley said in his last days, “The best of all, indeed, is that God is with us.”
Four Keys to Finishing Well (W.E.L.L.)
Walk in Faith
It takes faith for Jacob to look back of his life of brokenness and see God’s faithfulness. The faith journey is not easy and things can seem to get worse even when we pray. Yet we are called to fix our eyes on the One who is faithful and true. Faith was never meant to be lived out alone – God gives us His presence and His people to walk alongside us so that we can persevere in hope.
Embrace Grace
Finishing well also means embracing grace rather than being crushed by guilt or past mistakes. Jacob’s sons committed terrible sins, yet they were still blessed and included in God’s covenant plan. God’s plan doesn’t get derailed by our sin. He redeems our brokenness. In His hands, what was meant for evil can be turned for good. To embrace grace is to remember that our identity is not defined by sin, but by God’s mercy.
Live in Your Identity in Christ
Jacob’s last wish was to be buried in the Promised Land. This decision revealed that his identity was firmly rooted in the promises of God. Likewise, we are called to live in our identity as children of God, no longer defined by our past. In Christ, we are new creations – accepted, whole and secure with an eternal hope.
Leave a Legacy with Eternal Purpose
Finally, to finish well means leaving behind a legacy with eternal significance. Jacob’s legacy extended far beyond Genesis. Centuries later, in John 4, Jesus sat at Jacob’s Well and revealed Himself as the source of living water to the Samaritan woman. When we finish well, we too will be that well that brings living water to those around us. God can multiply even the little we entrust to Him to impact His kingdom. Our calling is not simply to pass through life but to live with eternity in mind, leaving behind a witness of God’s covenant love for future generations.
Despite trials, mistakes and failings, our lives can still be crowned by God’s grace if we remain faithful to Him. Remember who and whose we are – our Father God is able to restore us and bring about blessings through us for His glory.
Reflection Questions
活石华语崇拜
7 September 2025
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约翰福音 3:16-18
讲员: 林建成牧师
6 September 2025
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Genesis 39:1-23
Rev Emanuel Goh
ENGLISH SERVICE
31 August 2025
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Genesis 46-47
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
Each of us has 168 hours each week, and how we spend those hours reveals who or what shapes our lives. The Apostle Paul reminds us in to make the most of our time, living wisely because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). As citizens of heaven, even while living in this world, we are called to remain faithful to God.
Grow where you are
Just as Joseph and his family prospered in Egypt, God calls us to be fruitful and productive wherever He has placed us. This means to work as to the Lord (Colossians 3:23) so as to bless our organisation and the people in it. We are also called to grow in the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit and to hone our abilities and talents so that we can use them to serve God’s church. We are also called to multiply – God places people in our sphere of influence for us to bring them into the kingdom of God. Our growth is not for personal gain alone but used to bless others and to grow God’s family by leading people to Jesus.
Give of yourself to bless others
Apart from Joseph, Jacob too blessed Pharaoh despite being a lowly shepherd in society’s eyes. As children of God, we carry the authority and responsibility to bless the people around us. Everyone whom we come across is a divine opportunity for us to bless. This can be done through praying for, encouraging or meeting their needs in humility. Every encounter is an opportunity to bring God’s presence and release His blessing into people’s lives.
Go with God’s presence
Jacob was afraid to leave the Promised Land, but God assured him of His presence even in Egypt, and that He is God over all. In the same way, what marks us as God’s people is not a location or church building but His presence in and through our lives. Whether we are on a mission trip or doing outreach to bless our community, we bring the presence of God with us so others can encounter Jesus through us. That’s what makes us different from those who do social work in the community and the nations. Being aware that we host His presence will lead us to spend time regularly with Him through the day, to live by the constant direction of the Holy Spirit, to serve faithfully, and to shine as His witnesses.
To be faithful in an ungodly world, we must grow where we are, give of ourselves to bless others, and go with the constant awareness of God’s presence. We can then be fruitful and impactful for His kingdom. God calls us not to just survive in this world, but to thrive as His children and bring others into His family.
Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
31 August 2025
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哥林多后书 5:17
讲员: 刘丽娜姐妹
30 August 2025
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Genesis 38
Mr Charis Lim
ENGLISH SERVICE
24 August 2025
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Genesis 42:1-45:28
Rev Joey Chen
Joseph appeared to have it all in Egypt, but deep inside, wounds from his past still lingered. Like Joseph, we too may live under the illusion that “all is well”, yet beneath the surface, unresolved pain and unhealed wounds remain. God, in His grace, desires not only to bless us but also to make us whole.
The Illusion of Wellness
Because we have been blessed or because we have accepted Christ, we may think that all is well with us when, in truth, there may be underlying wounds that we need to be healed from. God is calling us deeper into the journey of restoration and wholeness.
Tell-Tale Signs of Unhealed Wounds
The tell-tale signs of unhealed wounds often show up in our lives through irrational negative emotions, irrational behaviours, or unhealthy addictions. Just as Joseph’s tears revealed his hidden pain, our own patterns and struggles may point to unhealed wounds that steal our joy, keeps us in pain and may even hurt others.
Open Up Old Wounds
God sometimes reopens old wounds, not to harm us but to heal us. We know we are healed when we can remember what has happened without fear, anger or sadness. God not only restores us but also redeems our suffering, turning them for good for His greater purposes that can in turn bring healing to others.
Respond to God’s grace
If we are willing to be made whole, we must respond to God’s grace with openness and trust Him to bring healing. Position ourselves to receive His grace through prayer, spending time with God, reading His Word, and inviting the Holy Spirit to show us the root of our woundedness. Seek help from counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists if necessary, so that God can do His healing work in us and bring us into wholeness.
Our wounds can bring healing to others
Our healing can bring healing to others. Our testimony and the wisdom that we have gained from our pain allows us to walk alongside others in their struggles and point them toward the same God who restores.
God’s desire is not merely to bless us but also to make us whole. If we open ourselves to His grace and trust Him to deal with our hidden wounds, He can bring deep healing, restore what is broken, and even use our scars as a blessing to others. The question is: Will you let Him?
Reflection Questions:
1. Spend some time this week sitting with God in silence and solitude:
a. Allow God to reveal to you anything He wants to bring healing to.
b. Ask God to show you if your past (family of origin, or watershed events that happened outside your family) continue to impact your behaviour and beliefs today.
c. Invite God to bring healing.
Share with your cell group what God reveals to you, and invite them to keep you accountable for remaining open to God’s healing.
2. In what way has God used your past hurts to bring healing to others? Are there past hurts that you believe cannot be redeemed that God might want to use to bring healing to others? Are you willing to surrender these hurts to God to redeem them?
活石华语崇拜
24 August 2025
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利未记 11:45
讲员: 何廷轩弟兄
23 August 2025
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Genesis 37:1-36
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
ENGLISH SERVICE
17 August 2025
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Genesis 40-41
Rev Jacob Lim
Being forgotten is never easy. It can bring up deep hurt and insecurity, especially when the ones who forget us are the people whom we love and trust.
Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, wronged by Potiphar’s wife and subsequently thrown in jail, forgotten by the cupbearer – Joseph must have felt completely alone. He might have been forgotten by the world, but he was not forsaken by God.
Sometimes we may think that God only works by speaking to people (either audibly or through impressions). But we cannot miss how God also works by shaping the events in our lives in accordance with His plans.
In Joseph’s life, God gave him two things that were never taken away. Indeed, Romans 11:29 states that the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Joseph’s gift to interpret dreams stayed with him through every season of his life – from his innocent younger years with his family, to his dreadful time in prison and finally to the grand courts of the Pharaoh. His dreams as a 17-year-old about his calling to save his family and nation in Genesis 37 would also be fulfilled. God was turning what seemed like a series of painful setbacks for good, even when He appeared to be silent.
We too may feel forgotten or forsaken during the painful seasons in our lives. But our response matters. We can:
1. Turn inward
We can start feeling sorry for ourselves, feel small and insignificant due to the situations that are out of our control.
2. React outwardly
We can lash out in anger against any wrongdoings, choose to be upset or even seek revenge against the people who may have put us in these situations.
3. Forget but not forsake
Joseph forgot the pain and misdeeds that were done to him and let go of past hurts. Realising God never forsook him, he in turn did not forsake his devotion to God. He honoured God for his gift of interpretation, and chose forgiveness, saying to his brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)
Like Joseph, will you choose God, even when He appears to be silent in the challenges you face? God is faithful and will never forget nor forsake you!
Reflection Questions:
1. “Others may forget you, but God will never forsake you.” Is this your understanding or experience of God? Do you feel comforted by this statement?
2. When have you felt challenged to forget the pain others had inflicted on you? How did holding onto God help you?
3. Reflect on the gifts and calling that God has blessed you with. How have you been stewarding the gifts? How have you been following God’s calling in your life? Share and pray for each other.
活石华语崇拜
17 August 2025
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路加福音 15:11-32
讲员: 李园园姐妹
16 August 2025
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Luke 10:25-37
Rev Joey Chen
ENGLISH SERVICE
10 August 2025
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Genesis 39:1-23
Rev Emanuel Goh
In Genesis 39, Joseph’s life takes another sharp downturn. Sold into slavery, far from family, falsely accused and imprisoned, Joseph’s situation seemed hopeless. Yet, the chapter repeats this truth: “The Lord was with Joseph” and “… the Lord gave him success in everything he did” (Gen 39:3). God’s presence with Joseph was constant and His hand was always at work. Even when life seemed to spiral downwards, God was writing a story that would one day be lifted up for His glory.
1. The Lord was with Joseph
Although Joseph lived as a slave in a foreign land, God’s presence was evident even to those who did not worship Him. Potiphar recognised the Lord’s presence because blessings overflowed wherever Joseph served, fulfilling God’s promise to bless those who bless Abraham and his descendants, and that they would be channels of blessing (Gen 12:3). As God’s people, we too are called to be conduits of blessing, bringing His presence into workplaces, friendships, our families and even in hard places.
2. Fleeing Temptation
When faced with temptation from Potiphar’s wife, Joseph anchored his response in faithfulness to his master and to God. He fled, losing his cloak but keeping his integrity. Joseph lost his position in Potiphar’s household, but God’s protection placed him where future doors would open.
What we lose in faithful obedience to God is far less valuable than what we keep in character. The treasures of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness far outweigh the treasures of this world.
3. Trusting God’s Sovereignty Amidst Injustice
Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment remind us that godly living does not shield us from injustice. Sin still pervades this world, yet God’s purposes will prevail as He reigns over all. If we were to liken unjust life circumstances to being passengers in a plane going through turbulence, our perspective is limited looking through a small window. However, God, who is like the pilot, never leaves the cockpit and can see the way forward. We can surely trust Him to be with us and deliver us. As with Joseph, what others may intend for harm, God can turn it for good (Gen 50:20). In facing injustice, the cross is our greatest assurance of God’s authority and love for us. He gave His all through His Son. Jesus entered the lowest of lows to raise us to life with Him (Rom 6:5).
Even when we cannot trace His hand, we can trust His heart. He is our God – merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. His grip on us is firm and His story for us is not finished. Will you trust Him to be sovereign in your life too?
💬 Reflection Questions
1. To whom is God calling you to bring His blessing in your spheres of influence?
2. When faced with private temptation or an unseen compromise, what would it look like for you to choose God’s standard over personal gain, even if it costs you?
3. In your current “pit” or “prison” season, how can you actively trust God’s sovereignty?
活石华语崇拜
10 August 2025
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马太福音 26:39; 20:1-15
讲员: 李沙龙弟兄