ENGLISH SERVICE
23 March 2025
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Genesis 22:1-19
Rev Jacob Lim
❣️ Sermon Reflections & Discussion // 23 Mar 2025
Why would God instruct Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Why would Abraham as a parent be willing to follow God’s instruction?
One could say Abraham was being obedient to God, that God was testing Abraham, or that Abraham had the faith in God to provide a way out. But do these justify or make the situation acceptable? To make matters worse, Isaac knew he was to be the sacrifice the moment he was bound, that his father was offering him up as a burnt offering for the atonement of sin.
Child sacrifice was practised in those days, even if it is abhorred today. It was done occasionally by nations including Israel (2 Kings 3:26-27, Judges 11:30-31;36, 2 Kings 17:16-17). To be clear, God does not endorse child sacrifice as a valid form of worship (Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 12:31, 18:10).
God used a cultural practice that Abraham would be familiar with to help Abraham understand Him and what He required. Such is the incarnational ministry of God to come down to our human level of understanding to increase our understanding of who He is and what He requires of us. Jesus exemplified the incarnational ministry of God when He gave up His divinity to take on flesh in order to reconcile us to God. He ate and drank with sinners. We should not forget how God first came to our level and meet those who have yet to know Christ where they are.
Even as we do culturally acceptable engagement, we should not lose sight of the theological significance. In calling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, God was expanding Abraham’s faith.
Abraham understood the weightiness of the sacrifice—Isaac, whom he loved. From Genesis 12 to Genesis 22, we can observe how God has gently provided Abraham an opportunity to expand his faith and surrender to follow God’s leading. In turn, God would release even greater blessings with each step of faith that Abraham took.
Like Abraham, we are on a spiritual journey to Moriah, where God is calling us to offer something or someone we treasure in different seasons of our lives. God sees the struggle, the willingness to surrender and He promises to provide. In the Gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke, a woman poured on Jesus an alabaster jar of perfume of great value (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37). What is God calling you to offer and how will you respond in faith?
💬 Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
23 March 2025
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哥林多后书 5:17
讲员: 陈俊宝牧师
22 March 2025
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Genesis 21
Rev Emanuel Goh
ENGLISH SERVICE
16 March 2025
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Genesis 21
Rev Emanuel Goh
❣️ Sermon Reflections & Discussion // 16 Mar 2025
To what or who do you turn to troubleshoot when you face issues in life?
Abraham had three problems to troubleshoot in Genesis 21. He had to solve the physical difficulties in childbearing, the emotional distress of sending Hagar and Ishmael away, and relationship woes with others (namely with Abimelek’s servants in a dispute over a well essential for survival in the dessert).
Abraham waited 25 years for God’s promise of an heir and descendants with the birth of Isaac. Sarah, who previously doubted God, recognised that it was God who turned what was impossible into reality. The fulfilment of God’s promises may not come instantly and in the waiting, we may be frustrated, disappointed and even get angry with God.
Here is helpful advice from “How to walk in God’s promises and wait for them”. Our faith in God grows when we put our focus on God and His promises. By desiring to grow closer to God as we wait upon Him, we grow our dependence on Jesus, whom we can fully depend on. Will you shift your perspective to God, posture yourself to grow closer to Him and depend fully on the person of Jesus?
God told Abraham to follow Sarah’s instruction to send Hagar and Ishmael away as Abraham’s line of promise will be fulfilled through Isaac. Abraham obeyed God’s instructions despite not fully understanding or perhaps even agreeing to it, as it would have been painful for Abraham to send his son, Ishmael, away. But in his distress, Abraham heard from God, trusted God’s greater purpose, and acted accordingly in obedience. God’s word and revelation may be just enough for us to take the next step (Psalm 119:105) without seeing the full pathway. Will you choose His plan and instruction in your season of distress?
Even though Abimelek acknowledged that God’s favour was with Abraham, Abraham still faced conflicts in their relationship. Their transaction to resolve the conflict involved three elements – sacrifice, witnesses and promises. Likewise, these same elements are in God’s covenant with us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which is guaranteed by the witness of the Holy Spirit and includes the promises of God’s Word (Hebrews 10:1- 18).
The choice to troubleshoot the problems you face today is in your hands. Will you choose to plug in to Jesus and the promises of God for your situation today?
💬 Reflection Questions:
活石华语崇拜
16 March 2025
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创世记 12:10-20; 20:1-17; 26:1-11
讲员: 李沙龙传道
15 March 2025
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Mr Wayne Sim
ENGLISH SERVICE
9 March 2025
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Genesis 20:1-18 (NIRV)
Mr Yutaro Kato
❣️ Sermon Reflections & Discussion // 9 Mar 2025
How can fear endanger God’s calling for our lives?
Abraham is known as “the father of faith” through whom others and all nations will be blessed (Gen 12:2-3). Yet, in Genesis 20, we see him act deceptively and dishonestly out of fear. Abraham relied on his own wisdom and on others instead of relying on God and His great promise. The fear and the lie that ensued endangered not only Sarah but also the promise of a son through Sarah and his future generations’ calling to be a blessing to the nations. Abraham’s own calling to bless others and show how wonderful God is was also in danger. Abraham’s fear caused him to underestimate God and His wisdom and strength.
Although Abraham failed badly to live out his calling, God did not give up on him. He still stepped in to save him and Sarah. God also restored the calling of Abraham’s future generations to bless the nations. God even let Abraham pray for the women in the king’s palace to be healed, showing His power and mercy to the nations.
As Abraham’s descendants of faith, we are called to bless the nations. PLMC is responding by sending missionaries and mission teams to bless the nations. We may have genuine fear of going on a mission trip—fear of failing, fear because of your age, fear about food and hygiene. Will you remember God is with us? Will you let Him take care of your fear and fulfill the calling He has given you?
Even if we may be unable to go, we can participate by praying for the nations through the 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. (https://plmc.org/40-days-of-prayer-fasting-devotional-booklet) Perhaps we fear praying in vain, that our prayers for the nations won’t change anything. Don’t underestimate God – your prayers do make a difference. Hear from our missionaries and missions teams about God’s answered prayers at the monthly Missions Prayer Meetings. (https://plmc.org/pray-together/)
God has given us the responsibility to love and nurture the next generation to live out their calling as disciples of Jesus. Let us encourage, inspire, nurture abd mobilise them to be a blessing to the nations. It takes just one person to change the generations. Will you be that person? Will you surrender your fears and trust in the Almighty God?
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. Share an experience where God intervened to work things out for you and restore you.
2. What is the fear in your life that prevents you from fulfilling God’s assignment for you?
3. What is one thing you can commit to to bless the nations in the Year of Expansion?
4. Is there someone you can encourage and support in their journey to fulfil their calling?
活石华语崇拜
9 March 2025
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创世记 19
讲员: 何廷轩弟兄
8 March 2025
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Genesis 20:1-18
Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming
ENGLISH SERVICE
2 March 2025
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Revelation 3:7-13 ESV
Rev Ng Zhi Wen
❣️ Sermon Reflections & Discussion // 2 Mar 2025
What motivates us to press on to bring the gospel to the least-reached peoples?
When compared with the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, the church in Singapore is often associated with the Church in Ephesus, which had lost its first love, or the Church in Laodicea, which was rich but lukewarm toward God. How about relating Singapore to the Church in Philadelphia?
In AD95 when Revelation was written, the Church in Philadelphia was a little church with little power and faced opposition from the local Jewish community. Jesus warned them of a coming hour of trial and encouraged them to hold fast and keep faith in Him. Further, He gave them an open door to witness for Him despite opposition. It is a door that no one can shut.
The image of an open door can be found in other parts of the Bible. Paul spoke about a wide door for effective ministry in Ephesus amidst adversity (1 Corinthians 16:9). In another letter to the church in Colossae, he sought prayer for an open door to proclaim Christ while in prison (Colossians 4:3-4). In Acts, Paul and Barnabas told the church in Antioch how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).
In these three passages, Paul kept witnessing for Christ despite facing great challenges. Today, the fastest growing churches are in places where one would least expect the church to thrive. An open door is there for us to witness for Christ. It is a door that Jesus has opened which no one can shut.
As we bear witness of Christ, there will surely be obstacles as Satan will do all he can to deceive and frighten us to put us off. In loving others, there will be a cost to us. But in the struggles, the power of God will help us stand as we witness and shine His light in the darkness. God in His infinite wisdom has brought the Gospel to us and we have the opportunity to bring across Asia westward, back to where it began in Asia Minor. Do you see the Open Door?
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. What are some challenges you have personally faced as you live out your faith to follow Jesus and share the Gospel?
2. What can we learn from Paul and the Church in Philadelphia about remaining faithful as Christ’s witnesses despite opposition?
3. What steps will you take to reach out and walk people through the door into the Kingdom of God?
活石华语崇拜
2 March 2025
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创世记 18:1-15
讲员: 林建成牧师
1 March 2025
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Genesis 19:1-29
Rev Joey Chen
ENGLISH SERVICE
23 February 2025
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Genesis 19:1-25
Rev Joey Chen
❣️ Sermon Reflections & Discussion // 23 Feb 2025
What are the dangers of compromising with culture?
Augustine in his work, The City of God, described two cities, or spiritual realms, that embody contrasting values and desires. The City of Man is built on pride and self-reliance and is concerned with earthly power, temporal pleasure and self-centred ambition, while the City of God is founded on humility and grace and pursues justice and peace, with lives grounded in the love and will of God.
Genesis 18 and 19 mirror this distinction. Abraham cared for the sojourners in Mamre and interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah, coming into his own as a blessing to the nations. The men of Sodom attempted to exploit the visitors and were sexually immoral as well as guilty of other sins. Lot chose to settle in Sodom. He chose based on what looked good to him, and did not seek God for what was truly good unlike Abraham sought and trusted God.
Lot’s life in Sodom was one of compromise. Although he did not fully embrace the depravity of the city, he became comfortable living with sin and it shifted his moral compass. Compromising with culture may seem inconsequential, but the danger is insidious. Spiritual compromise makes us used to the culture of worldly values and desensitises us to holy living.
We pursue what non-Christians pursue too, at the expense of our relationship with God. Do we parent our children differently by valuing the cultivation of their spiritual life over pushing them harder in their studies? Do we compromise in the area of sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage? Do we act in faith and let God decide how many children we should have rather than decide based on our time and resources?
Compromises can have greater consequences beyond our own life. They affect our witness as salt and light in the darkness of this world, pointing the way back to God. We need godly discernment to be in the world but not of the world. We need to renew our minds through Scripture, and cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit through prayer. Lean on the grace of God to keep us and save us from harm. Let us walk faithfully with Christ who has already saved us, and be set apart to be His faithful witness, living a life of integrity with no compromise.
💬 Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways have you made compromises with culture?
2. What steps will you take to act in faith and live differently, without compromise?
3. What is an issue that God’s people should stand firm on in order to preserve the society and its people? Pray and intercede as a group on this issue.
活石华语崇拜
23 February 2025
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创世记 17:1-27
讲员: 李园园姐妹
22 February 2025
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Genesis 18
Rev Benjamin Fong