ENGLISH SERVICE
1 March 2026
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Ephesians 2:11-22
BE Dr Wee Boon Hup
As believers, we all have new life in Jesus Christ, not just eternal life, but abundant life. After knowing and accepting Christ in our lives, we now must handle a dimension of the new Christian life – the Church. Paul explains in this passage that the Church is one new humanity with far richer understanding than just a physical place of gathering.
The Roots of Disunion: Alienation
Paul reminds us of who we were when we were apart from Christ – outsiders and alienated (v11-12). There are different ways in which we were alienated. Firstly, we were separated from Christ with no new life and no relationship with God because of our sin. Falling short of His original plan of holiness, we were outside of the plan that God had for us when He created mankind.
But God did not leave us alone. His rescue plan involved the Israelites who were called to be a light to the world. The laws and commandments meant to prepare the people did not work out. And still, we were estranged from God’s people as Gentiles. We were also outside of His covenants of promise.
The Seeds of Union: Christ our Peace
This metaphorical tree of the original plan had to be uprooted for new seeds to be sown that was centred around Jesus Christ. And in Christ, God was making one new humanity. When a person believes in Jesus, he is a new creation and God comes to make him His home. Corporately, all believers are one temple of God, the Church.
However, what was originally meant as a standard of distinction of God’s chosen people was turned into a position of prestige for the Jews that grew into discrimination against Gentiles. Jesus Christ, in his ministry, broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, so that we can all be one. God brought all believers together into one new man, and we are now reconciled to Him.
The Fruits of Union: Dwelling Place of God
One blessing of being part of this new humanity is that everyone who comes to Christ has immediate and direct access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Another blessing is that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone for the new humanity, As individuals and collectively as a church, we take our cue from Jesus Christ, our standard and marker, on His purpose for our lives and for the church.
The third blessing is that in this new humanity, we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven and members of the family of God. We are also the temple of God, where He lives and abides in.
With this gift of a new identity as a new humanity, we must be careful not to turn this mark of distinction into discrimination by thinking of ourselves better than others. As a Church, we must think ourselves as one, each with different gifts that we can use to bless others. Outside of church, we need to be like Jesus, who thought us worth giving His life for. May we be His humbled servants, taking our cue from Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve out of love and not pity.
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. In what area of my life do I need to take my cue from Jesus Christ this week?
2. What walls has He torn down in order to build you up as His new creation? How has He brought newness in you?
3. How can we collectively humble ourselves and show love to others in and out of the community?
活石华语崇拜
1 March 2026
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以弗所书 1:15-23
讲员: 戴国宾弟兄
28 February 2026
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Ephesians 1:1-14
Rev Jacob Lim
ENGLISH SERVICE
22 February 2026
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Ephesians 3:14-21
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
Becoming a Christian does not remove life’s problems. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble”, yet also promised His peace and victory to those who follow Him (John 16:33). Paul reminds us in today’s passage that God has given believers five resources to face and overcome the storms of life.
1. Strength in your inner being
God strengthens us in our inner being through His Spirit because Christ dwells in our hearts (Eph 3:16–17). This inner strength sustains us when external circumstances threaten to overwhelm us. Jesus Himself was strengthened by an angel in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and God continues to empower His children to face suffering and persevere. Just as Jesus stepped into the storm with resolve, we too can face trials knowing His strength is at work within us.
2. Love that is rooted and grounded
Paul prays that believers would be “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). A shallow love collapses quickly, but a deeply rooted love stands firm under pressure. This rootedness comes first from God and also from the community of believers who support one another. When our lives are intertwined with God and His people, we receive and give strength in seasons of trial.
3. The surpassing love of Christ
Christ’s love is described as wide, long, high, and deep, surpassing all human understanding (Eph 3:18–19). There is no place so dark or distant that God’s presence cannot reach us (Psalm 139:7-12). If Christ’s love can deliver us from eternal separation from God, it will surely hold us through our storms.
4. The immeasurable power of God
God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20-21). Sometimes His power brings miraculous deliverance, as seen in the testimonies of healing in the church. At other times, God allows storms to shape us into the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:28-29). Like Daniel’s friends, we trust that our God is able to deliver us, yet, even “if not”, we can count on His power to face our storms (Dan 3:16-18).
5. Prayer – the access point to all God’s resources
Paul kneels before the Father (Eph 3:14), modelling earnest, dependent prayer. Jesus assures that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:11-13). Often, we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2). Prayer is the means by which we receive strength, love, and power. It is an act of faith that grows through use, especially when believers gather to pray.
Every believer is either entering, enduring, or exiting a storm. Our hope rests not in storm-free lives but in God’s strength, love, power, and nearness. When we doubt, we only have to look to the cross to be assured that Jesus is always with us and loves us to the uttermost.
💬 Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
22 February 2026
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以弗所书 1: 1-14
讲员: 林建成牧师
28 February 2026
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Acts 19:11-20
Rev Joey Chen
ENGLISH SERVICE
15 February 2026
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Ephesians 2:1-10
Rev Emanuel Goh
The church of Ephesus comprised Gentile converts and Paul wrote to them to encourage believers to understand their new identity in Christ. In this passage, he outlined who they once were, what God has done for them through Jesus and finally who they are now in Christ. In the same way, this letter reminds us of how in Jesus, we too are transformed and can emerge victorious to live for Him now.
Who they were (v1-3)
Before knowing Jesus, we are all dead in our sin, unable to respond to God. Paul highlighted three powers that shaped the old life of believers, which we face today as well:
– Ways of the world (culture and values of society to pursue wealth, success)
– Work of the devil (sin)
– Work of the self (self-centredness and self gratification)
Paul reminded believers that we can flip the script – in and through Christ, we can turn from these former powers and be totally transformed.
What God has graciously done for them (v4-7)
Paul used expansive language like the word “rich” in verse 4 and 7 to describe the incomprehensible and inexhaustible supply of God’s grace and mercy. He uses resurrection language, repeating the words “with Christ” and “in Christ” to show our union with Jesus from death to life. As Romans 5:6-10 explains, God demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to die on the cross for us even while we were sinners. In raising Jesus from the dead, He also raised and exalted us with Christ.
Who they are now (v8-10)
Paul made it clear believers are saved by grace alone through faith, not by our own efforts. We can have faith that God can turn situations around for us. We can also apply that faith to what we do. As God’s handiwork and specially crafted masterpiece (v10), believers are to do the good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
Like the early Ephesian believers, we too were going downwards in life. But in His grace, God has totally transformed us, saving us through Christ. Being made alive in Christ, we can walk with faith, live transformed lives worthy of the Gospel.
💬 Reflection Questions:
Song Link: https://youtu.be/zundjUFazfg?si=jvLiP45P8MgwecOc
活石华语崇拜
15 February 2026
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创世纪 2:18
讲员: 高时敏牧师博士
翻译: 何廷轩弟兄
14 February 2026
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Romans 8:38-39
Mr Joseph Quek
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