ENGLISH SERVICE
8 February 2026
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Ephesians 1:15-23
Rev Joey Chen
The question of identity is hardwired into every human heart. Who we believe ourselves to be shapes how we live, what we love and what we are willing to sacrifice for.
In this passage, Paul shows us that true identity flows from knowing God, not merely knowing about Him. Knowing God begins with prayer and the Spirit’s wisdom and revelation (v17). Paul prays that we may know three truths that define our identity as believers, and that these truths will become convictions by which we live.
We are a people of hope (v18, 20-21)
Paul prays that we would know the hope to which God has called us (v18). This hope is grounded in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation, ruling with authority in both the present age and the age to come when He returns. Living in the overlap of these two ages, we will certainly continue to experience pressure to conform to the values and priorities of the world.
Yet Scripture reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and His coming Kingdom. This hope enables believers to live with faithfulness, integrity and perseverance even when it comes at personal cost. Indeed, we can count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8–11).
We are a people cherished by God (v18)
Paul reminds us that we are God’s “glorious inheritance in His holy people” (v18). Our worth is not defined by career progression, financial security, academic success, achievements or social standing but by God who cherishes us, who paid the ultimate price on the cross for us.
This truth corrects our ‘main character syndrome’, which is the tendency to centre life around ourselves and our success. This truth also invites us to recognise the Church, across denominations, as a people who are all treasured by God.
We are a people of the all-powerful God (v19-23)
The power at work in believers is the same power that raised Christ from the dead (v19). This power places Jesus above every authority and dominion, now and forever (vv20-21). God’s power is not something we control or manipulate. We are to humbly submit and come under His power with Christ as Head (v22). Like Daniel’s three friends, we may not be spared from the furnace, but we can face trials without fear, trusting that God is able to save and remains present even if He does not (Daniel 3:16-18).
Knowing we are a people of hope, cherished by Him and that His power is with us, the Church is called to be His witnesses and glorify Him to the world (v23).
💬 Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
8 February 2026
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提摩太后书 3:16-17
讲员: 李沙龙弟兄
7 February 2026
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Joshua 1
Mr Eugene Cheong
ENGLISH SERVICE
1 February 2026
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Ephesians 1:1-14
Rev Jacob Lim
Ephesians 1:1-14 is a song of adoration and praise, declaring the irresistible Gospel.
Paul recalls God’s salvation plan for all freely given through Jesus Christ. We receive forgiveness of sins, are adopted as God’s children and are promised an inheritance sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Having received the irresistible Gospel, we can be transformed to live like Christ so that we draw others to Christ. But that is not always the case because of how we respond to the Gospel.
Presumptuous
We could have the mindset that faith in God is all that is necessary, and how we live doesn’t matter because God will forgive us regardless. The focus remains on the self – how my faith benefits me – without allowing the Gospel to transform us from the inside out (Eph 4:17-19).
Moralistic
A second response could be that we live with an emphasis on conforming to rules, laws and standards. The focus is on performance, to be perceived as spiritual compared to others. Jesus addressed such spiritual pride in His parable of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) while Paul emphasised that we are saved not by our works but only by God’s grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8-9). Right living and works should stem from our desire to live like our Saviour.
Insecure
Thirdly, we could be motivated to live rightly because we actually doubt God’s love and are, in fact, trying to earn His acceptance. Remember, God has chosen us and adopted us as His own (Eph 1:4-5) by His grace and not by our works. Our identity as His sons and daughters is sure.
Mature
With the right belief about being saved through God’s grace and love, and with the right view of our identity in Christ, we can have the right response to the love we have received, which is to love God and others.
As we dive deeper into Ephesians, let us be open to examine ourselves. Let us as a community hold onto this common goal: To be matured in Christ, individually and as a spiritual family.
💬 Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
1 February 2026
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以赛亚书 39:1-8
讲员: 李圆圆姐妹
31 January 2026
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Psalm 139:13-14
Rev Joey Chen
ENGLISH SERVICE
25 January 2026
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Acts 19:1-41
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
This passage invites us to look with honesty and grace at our own walk with God as we consider how the church in Ephesus began. When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he met people who sincerely believed in Jesus, yet had not experienced the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Their faith was genuine, but incomplete—they knew the truth about Jesus, yet lacked the power and strength to live the abundant life He promised. When they received the Holy Spirit, their inner lives were renewed, and the impact of the Gospel overflowed to the city around them.
As the Holy Spirit worked among the Ephesian believers, three distinct responses to the Gospel became visible.
Some became followers—men and women who surrendered fully to Jesus, received the Spirit’s power, and allowed God’s Word to reshape their lives. Their faith was not merely spoken but lived out, bearing fruit in perseverance, obedience, and love. Through the early Ephesian church, the good news of Jesus quietly and powerfully spread.
Others were fakers—people who appeared spiritual and religious on the outside but lacked a living, intimate relationship with Christ as their Master. True followers live out their faith authentically, surrendering all areas of their lives to His lordship. When many in Ephesus recognised this, they responded with humility—confessing, letting go of practices that did not honour God, and stepping into freedom and wholeness in Christ.
Finally, there were firebrands. Some burned with opposition to the Gospel, while others, like Paul, burned with a holy passion for Christ. Paul’s love for Jesus was so deep that he was willing to suffer, even die, for the sake of the Gospel. This kind of passion inevitably challenged the values, norms and authorities of the surrounding culture, stirring resistance and conflict. Yet the way of Jesus is never reckless or divisive. True spiritual passion is expressed through prayer, humility, patience, and a deep commitment to unity, trusting Christ to guide both our words and our actions.
God invites us into deeper authenticity in our walk with Him, fuller dependence on His Spirit to lead and guide us, and a faith that reflects the life and character of Christ in every area of our lives and in every season.
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. Where in your life do you need more of Holy Spirit’s power rather than relying on your own strength? Invite the Spirit and surrender these areas to His lordship.
2. What do you need to surrender to God to be real before Him? Share and pray for one another.
3. What is one thing you will commit to to preserve or build up the unity of the church?
活石华语崇拜
25 January 2026
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以赛亚书 37
讲员: William 弟兄
24 January 2026
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Ephesians 2:8-13
Ps Simon Lam
ENGLISH SERVICE
18 January 2026
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1 Kings 19:1-21; 2 Kings 2:1-25
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
God uses many things to shape our lives, but the primary tool He uses is people. All of us have had someone build into our lives, a person whom God has used, either in the past or currently, to shape us into the people we are today. As we are blessed with those who have poured into our lives, we are also called to bless others in the same way. We need not wait to be better equipped or prepared – God called Elijah to build Elisha up at the lowest point of his life.
So how can we build into someone’s life? We can learn from how Elijah passed on his faith and ministry to Elisha with a humble and generous spirit.
Assess
The first thing that Elijah did upon finding Elisha was to watch him work. It was Elijah’s way of assessing him before going over to him and draping his cloak over him. This was a prophetic act of passing on the mantle to Elisha, building him up to take over his ministry.
Ask
To become a prophet, Elisha would have to make a big sacrifice, giving up his worldly riches. If God leads you to someone to build your life into, do not hesitate to give them the opportunity to respond. Do not decide for them if they are too busy and do not make the decisions for them.
Allow
After the invitation, Elijah waited for Elisha’s response. Give the person the space to decide whether to give their all to the Lord in order to fulfil God’s destiny for them. The call to build into people’s lives might be met with rejection, either immediately or in the future when things get tough. When this happens, the only thing that can be done is to bring them before the Lord.
Acceptance
To seal his decision, Elisha then slaughtered two oxen, enough to feed an entire village. His response to Elijah was not a quiet and personal one. He not only declared his choice publicly but also followed through with dedication and commitment to following Elijah.
Acknowledgement
Before Elijah was swept up into heaven, he asked how else he could bless and serve Elisha (2Kings 2:9). In asking for a double portion of his spirit, Elisha was essentially asking for the honour to inherit Elijah’s ministry. Elijah’s response showed that he acknowledged that God alone appoints people to ministry (2 Kings 2:10). And His Spirit rests on those He appoints, as it was with Elijah and then Elisha.
We see this pattern in Jesus passing on His ministry to His 12 disciples, and they subsequently to others. The ministry of Christ has been passed to us and it is now on us to not only steward Jesus’ ministry well but also to pass it on well.
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. Who are the people who have built into your life? When was the last time you showed them appreciation for what they have done in your life?
2. Who is God calling you to build into and disciple? Who will be the heir of your life and ministry? What is one step you can start to take to pass on your ministry?
活石华语崇拜
18 January 2026
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以弗所书 4:11-13
讲员: 林建成牧师
17 January 2026
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1 John 4:16-18; Romans 8:38-39
Ps Andrew Leong
ENGLISH SERVICE
11 January 2026
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John 1:40-42
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
When we think about leadership, many of us picture people with authority, charisma, titles or influence. Yet leadership often looks far quieter and more ordinary. There is a widely shared story about a young boy stepping off a bus to push a fallen tree blocking the road. He had no power, no authority, no stature like King Saul and no obvious charisma. His action seemed insignificant, yet it inspired others to join him. Leadership happened not because of who he was, but because he stepped forward and gave hope in a moment of frustration.
John Maxwell once said, “He who thinks he leads but has no followers is only taking a walk.” A leader takes people somewhere. Leadership connects people to one another and to something (or Someone) beyond themselves.
As Christians, we are all leaders, bringing others to Jesus so they too can follow Him.
Leadership begins by recognising who Jesus is and hosting God’s presence
Before Peter ever led others, his younger brother Andrew encountered Jesus and recognised who He truly was. Andrew then invited Peter to meet Jesus. Andrew’s leadership did not begin with persuasion, strategy, or confidence. He did not wait until he was older or more qualified. He simply recognised Jesus as the Messiah and responded faithfully to what he knew.
When we remain close to Jesus, we too begin to host God’s presence through our lives. The fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in the way we speak, listen, respond and love.
Leadership takes shape when people around us sense peace, kindness, sincerity, and hope, not because of our ability, but because God’s presence is at work in us. This is why prayer must always come first. As Jesus reminds us in John 15:5, apart from Him we can do nothing. When we intercede and abide in Christ, our lives quietly and gently begin to influence others to prepare to meet God.
Leadership grows through listening and loving action
As we host God’s presence, leadership expresses itself through attentiveness and love. We incline our ears to God, listening for His prompting and obeying what He reveals. At the same time, we incline our ears to the people in our lives. When we listen beyond words (to people’s stories, hurts, needs and longings), we begin to understand how God is already at work.
In time, God may reveal a need or a wound not just for prayer, but for action. When we respond with compassion, meeting needs and helping to heal hurts, we inspire trust and openness.
Leadership gently points towards Jesus
From a place of prayer, listening, and love, doors naturally open to share our faith. We can then impart what God has done in our lives or share how He has been working in the lives of others. After all, the Gospel is Good News that is meant to be shared and spoken about.
Finally, we invite others into spaces where God’s presence is tangible, into worship, community and shared life. Our goal is not merely a decision or a prayer, but for people to take steps toward surrendering their lives under the kingship of Jesus. Jesus did not call us to make converts, but disciples who follow Him.
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. Who is the “one more” God is placing on my heart to lead to Jesus?
2. How have I been abiding in Christ in such a way that others can encounter His presence through me?
3. What is one step I can take this week, be it through prayer, listening, loving, sharing, or inviting, to help someone move closer to Jesus?
活石华语崇拜
11 January 2026
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尼希米记 2:11-18
讲员: 林建成牧师
10 January 2026
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1 Samuel 17
Rev Joey Chen
COMBINED SERVICES
4 January 2026
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Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 3:30
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
Interpreter: Mr Shalom Li
We give thanks for how the Lord has seen us through the Year of Expansion with PLMC going out to bless the community and the nations.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” All disciples of Jesus are to be His witnesses in the community and the nations. Hence, the goal of the Year of Expansion was for PLMC worshippers to receive God’s heartbeat for the world.
In 2026, the Year of More, let us step out more, keeping faith in our God who is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. How can we participate with Him in releasing more of His power through us, and receive more from Him?
1. More in outreach and missions – Ministry to the community will expand as we reach people in more areas around, even as we deepen connections with the people whom we have been blessing the past years.
2. More connections in the PLMC family – Join a cell group if you don’t belong to one, so you can be connected with others in the church family. This year, there will be Cluster Gatherings for opportunities to meet people from different cells. Make an effort to avail yourself to connect.
3. More of what you need – The God of More not only provides more for the body of Christ, the church but also provides to His followers more of what you need. Will you step out in faith to ask God to meet whatever you need in 2026?
4. More of God – The Year of More is also about each of us growing more in discipleship, in outreach, and in missions. One key event to help us experience and grow in God together is the Ohana Camp, to be held from 14-17 June 2026. Early bird registration opens on 18 Jan 2026!
The most important aspect of More that we want to experience in 2026 is encapsulated in the words of John the Baptist in John 3:30 (ESV): He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease. When Jesus has more authority in our lives, we desire more of what He wants and become more like who God means for us to be.
If you desire more of God in 2026, may this be your prayer: “Jesus, increase in my life, while I decrease.”
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. How have you expanded in your mind, heart and faith in the Year of Expansion? How did you bless the community and the nations? Share and remember with thanksgiving.
2. In what areas of your life do you need more of God (financially, relationally, physically?)
3. How will you be more involved in blessing the community and the nations? Whether it is an outreach opportunity, or to pray, help prepare or to go on missions, commit this to the Lord for the year ahead.