ENGLISH SERVICE
13 & 14 June 2026
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Isaiah 54:1-3, 以赛亚书 54:1-3
Speaker/讲员:
Rev Jacob Lim 林建成牧师
Interpreter/翻译: William 传道
n Isaiah 54:1-3, there is a call for the Israelites to go deeper and wider, using phrases commonly used when a family was planning to expand, dreaming wider and growing deeper to accommodate the increase.
There are two potential historical contexts for Isaiah 54. The first may refer to 701 BC when Jerusalem was under attack by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, when God miraculously delivered them (2 Kings 18-19).
The second possible setting would be the Babylonian attack when the temple of God was destroyed in 586BC, which was followed by God’s restoration of the people from exile and the rebuilding of the temple.
Whichever the situation, God’s people were in tough disappointing circumstances. Yet the call is for them to grow deeper and dream wider.
Not Limited by Your Current Situation
The Israelites faced many challenges in their efforts to rebuild the temple. They were still recovering from exile and loss. With their limited resources they were trying to rebuild the temple that paled in comparison to the first one. Despite all this discouragement and limitations, God still told them to enlarge their tent and prepare for growth.
This is possible when we recognise that God is bigger than the circumstances. For the Israelites, He caused Darius, king of Persia, to fully fund the temple rebuilding. And God caused the second temple to be even more glorious than the first one, not in size, but in impact as His people turned to Him in obedience and sacrifice.
Relying on God Through Prayer
King Hezekiah’s focus was not on God initially, relying on Israel’s ally and levy to save the people instead. Only when that failed did he learn to grow deeper and rely on God, turning to Him twice in desperate prayer.
It was not easy, but Hezekiah had to wait on the Lord in quiet trust. God answered his prayers, destroying the Assyrian armies overnight.
In response to the prophetic call in verses 1-3, we can find common promises that materialised for both possible historical contexts in the rest of the chapter. Promises of no shame (v4), God’s compassion (v8), His unfailing love and covenant of peace (v10), a bejewelled city (vv11-12) and divine protection (vv14-17a).
The people of God had to learn to not let their current situations limit them and to fully rely on God through prayer. But most importantly they learnt how big God truly was over every circumstance. Their call to grow deeper in Him and dream wider with Him by focusing on Him and exercising their faith through prayer are for us too today.
💬 Reflection:
1. What challenge are you facing? Is it limiting your vision of God or are you focusing on our limitless God?
2. How can you consciously make prayer your first response rather than your last resort, especially when you face challenges in life?
ENGLISH SERVICE
07 June 2026
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Acts 1:1-11
Rev Emanuel Goh
When it comes to Jesus’ Ascension, one might think of it as a celestial departure: Jesus floating upward, waving goodbye, disappearing into the clouds. But the New Testament does not frame it as a farewell.
1. The Ascension is the Coronation of the King
When Luke tells us in Acts 1 that Jesus was “taken up” and “received by a cloud”, it would call to mind the great vision in Daniel of the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven approaching the Ancient of Days, and being given authority, glory, and an everlasting dominion that would not pass away (Daniel 7:13-14).
The cloud is the shekinah, the glory and presence of God. When Jesus ascends into the cloud, Luke is telling us: The Son of Man is entering the throne room of heaven to receive His crown.
Rather than absence from the world, the Ascension means that Jesus is now ruling over the world, including over every situation of our lives, as Lord and King.
2. The Ascension Gives Us a High Priest in Heaven
Not only is Jesus the Son of God and our King in heaven, but He is also the great high priest who has ascended into heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16).
In the Old Testament, the High Priest was the one figure who could enter the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, he would go make intercession for the people, standing between God and man. He was the mediator.
The writer of Hebrews is saying that we have a High Priest who has ascended and gone into the presence of the Father Himself. He is there now, at this very moment, speaking your name and interceding for you.
Rather than taking Jesus away and making Him less available for us, the Ascension gives us a High Priest who is present to and praying for every believer everywhere, at all times, before the Father.
3. The Ascension is our Commissioning and our Hope
In the conversation just before the Ascension (vv4-5, 7-8), Jesus commissioned His disciples: “you will be my witnesses”. He also instructed them wait for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the first great gift Jesus gives to the church to enable us to do the work, He has called us to do.
The Ascension is our commissioning. Jesus leaves the disciples with a mandate to “start where you are” (Jerusalem), “move to the uncomfortable and unfamiliar” (Judea and Samaria), and know that “nothing is outside the reach of the Gospel” (the ends of the earth).
Similarly, all of us are sent, be it to our neighbours, colleagues, or strangers at the hawker centre. The mission is always on, and that we are “blessed to bless the community and the nations” (PLMC’s calling).
The Ascension is also our hope, The same Jesus who ascended will come back, and this promise should fuel our mission.
Jesus’ Ascension is more than goodbye. We have been placed under orders by Jesus, given the Holy Spirit as our power, and given a mission as our purpose. And we have been given the promise of His return as our hope.
💬 Reflection:
活石华语崇拜
07 June 2026
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以弗所书 6:10-24
陈俊宝牧师
06 June 2026
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Ephesians 6:5-9
Rev Joey Chen
ENGLISH SERVICE
31 May 2026
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Matthew 19:10-12; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, 25-35
Rev Joey Chen
What does God say about singlehood through His Word? How might we live well in light of His Word? How might the Church love singles well? Here are some reminders from Jesus and Paul:
Marriage is not superior to singleness
In Matthew 9:11-12, Jesus affirms that there are some who are eunuchs—those who are unmarried—either voluntarily or involuntarily. Regardless, there are some who are called to such a lifestyle of singlehood that Jesus Himself lived. These are words we ought to keep in our hearts and minds, just as we do for God’s command to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis.
Do we, in our communities and in the Church, unknowingly affirm that marriage is better than singleness? Here are some examples for our introspection—make room for the Holy Spirit to convict you, if needed!
• Actions: reckless matchmaking for our friends
• Words: continuing to ask or make fun of their (single) situation when they are uncomfortable
• Thoughts: viewing singles as unhappy when they are in fact content
We are already made complete in God, single or not
God Himself has reconciled us to Him through Jesus. The Scriptures say that He is Love; we cannot look to another human to be the Love that God Himself is. That role was designed to be fulfilled by God alone—we can be completely satisfied in God. This truth does not mean that we can or should not desire other things. Rather, when our utmost desire is for God, our other desires are ordered in a godly way and put in proper perspective. Even marriage becomes a sign that reveals the great love Christ has for His Bride, the Church.
God uses marriage and singleness alike to conform us into the image of His Son
Whilst marriage and singleness land us in different contexts, God’s aim to conform us into the image of Jesus remains the same. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7 that the married person is concerned about worldly things (pleasing our spouse). God may very well use these concerns in marriage to surface our brokenness, in order that He might form humility and holiness in us. On the other hand, Paul also writes that the unmarried person is concerned about the things of the Lord—the single person is free from marital concerns to give undivided attention to the Lord and what pleases Him.
Singleness is a gift
Singleness—wanted or unwanted—does not mean that you cannot live a life of joy in the Lord. Being single also does not mean that we are loved less, forgotten or being punished by God. God meets each of us where we are and takes us on a journey of discovering singlehood as a gift. Let us remember the words of the psalmist, ”in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”. As we are taken on this journey, let us find our joy and contentment in God.
Practical pointers to love the singles around us
1. Be mindful about the “messages” you convey in what you say and do. This includes not making assumptions about others’ situations or making them feel like it is wrong to be single.
2. Know what others need. Some singles are divorcees, others are widowed; some are old, others are young. The needs of each person are unique—take the time to get to know them!
3. Be intentional about including them in your communities. Intentionally including others helps ensure we do not unintentionally leave them out and make them feel “extra” in social situations.
4. Carry one another’s burdens. These burdens range from spiritual to practical needs—once you know what others need, what might the Lord be leading you to do for them, and, in so doing, fulfil the law of Christ (that is, love)?
活石华语崇拜
31 May 2026
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以弗所书 6:5-9
讲员: 林耀捷牧师
30 May 2026
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Ephesians 6:1-4
Mr Bradley Garrett
ENGLISH SERVICE
24 May 2026
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Ephesians 6:10-24
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
The “storms” in our lives are not only due to living in a broken world awaiting Christ’s return, but also because of ongoing spiritual warfare. Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesian church by commanding believers to “stand firm” in the Lord, emphasising that this is essential for enduring such challenges. He offers three directives to enable us to do so.
1. Acknowledge the reality of the devil
Believers must recognise that their struggle is not against people, but against the powers of darkness (v11-12). The devil is out to sabotage and knock you from your faith. These attacks are often subtle—through doubt, anxiety, pride, or division—rather than obvious. While many believe in the existence of the devil, they often live as though he has no influence. We need to “be sober-minded; be watchful”, for our adversary the devil prowls around, seeking to devour (1Peter 5:8).
2. Arm yourself with God’s armour
To fight these spiritual forces of darkness, believers must put on the full armour of God (v14-17):
• Belt of truth – When believers are grounded in God’s Word, we are able to respond to the devil’s lies with the Truth. Truth comes from a real and intimate relationship with Jesus as well as from being in community with God’s people, the body of Christ.
• Breastplate of righteousness – Because there is no one righteous, believers are to put on the righteousness of Christ. It should lead to living in right relationship with God and others through forgiveness and love.
• Shoes of readiness – Being ready to share the Gospel strengthens believers’ faith and focus, empowering us to stand firm in the Lord.
• Shield of faith – The devil often throws flaming arrows of guilt, shame and doubt at believers. Choose to trust in God’s promises, His goodness and wisdom even in difficult situations we don’t understand.
• Helmet of salvation – Believers need to know with certainty that we are loved, have been forgiven, delivered, set free from sin and darkness, are adopted into God’s family, and be confident that it will be complete one day (Phil 1:6).
• Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) – Read and know the Word of God to resist the devil’s lies and temptation.
3. Ask expressing dependence on God
Since the battle is against spiritual forces, believers need spiritual power through prayer (v18). Paul encourages believers to:
• Pray on all occasions, not just in crises
• Pray all kinds of prayer (requests, praise, thanksgiving, listening)
• Pray in the Spirit, being directed by the Holy Spirit
• Pray for others, especially for boldness to boldly proclaim the Gospel (v19-20)
On this Aldersgate Sunday, may we receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit like John Wesley did, as we arm ourselves with the full armour of God, learn to pray at all times with all kinds of prayers and requests, and so stand firm in our faith.
💬 Reflection:
活石华语崇拜
24 May 2026
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以弗所书 6:1-4
讲员: 李沙龙弟兄
24 May 2026
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Ephesians 5:21-33
Mr Joseph Quek