JURONG OUTREACH - JUL 04

One Man's Treasure
4 Jul 04

Alan Smith commented on an unusual news story that came out of Sydney, Australia. Evidence suggests that a bicycle enthusiast may have become a little obsessed with his hobby later in life after it was reported that authorities had discovered 435 bikes in his house after his death … It took police seven days to remove the bikes along with hundreds of frames, wheels and other parts from [his] house."

The bicycles that the man had collected over the years were literally stacked to the rafters in his 3-bedroom house. Some of the bicycles were bought, some were traded, and police believe many of the bicycles were stolen. I think the police were being kind when they described the man as being "a little obsessed." I'd say it was more than a little! The focus of that man's life is obvious!

While you and I may be quick to say that he was ridiculous for placing so much emphasis on bicycles, STOP and THINK for a moment. Is that man really any different from those of US who put other material things at the center of OUR lives?

JESUS talked about a man who was so obsessed with his "stuff" that he had to tear down his barns and build bigger barns to store it (Luke 12:13-21). But God said to him, "Fool! This night your SOUL will be required of you; then whose will those "things" be which you have provided?" (Luke 12:20). Then Jesus gave the following application: "So is he who lays up treasure for HIMSELF, and is not rich toward GOD" (Luke 12:21).

Let me assure you – if the focus of your life isn't "serving God", then it really doesn't matter WHAT your focus is!

Whether it's bicycles, jewellery, or a vacation home at the beach or the mountains, it's all just "clutter" that one day will be worthless.  Oh, there's one more thing about that man with the bicycles. I mentioned the man's death, but I failed to tell you how he died. He died after hitting his head after falling off a bicycle! How ironic (but not that unusual) that his obsession resulted in the hastening of his death. Some obsessions result in DEATH, and whenever (or however) death comes, it means the loss of everything. Only one "obsession" results in LIFE: a SAVING RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ. Paul said, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

One may enjoy this SAVING RELATIONSHIP with God through Christ by:

placing one's trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6), “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing .  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

confessing one's faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10) “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.    For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), “ Then Peter said unto them,

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

AND by faithfully following Him the rest of one's life.

(Rev 2:10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life“

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,
I surrender all.

COME AS YOU ARE!
11 Jul 04

Early one morning fire broke out in a house on a dark street. A policeman on duty sounded the alarm. Before the fire engines could get to the scene, however, flames were leaping high into the air. Suddenly a young man appeared at an upper window in his pyjamas. Firemen quickly placed a ladder against the burning building. But to the consternation of all, the man refused to come down, shouting back that he had to get dressed first. The firemen pleaded, "Come as you are!" but to no avail. From below they tried to ascend the stairs, but were turned back as the wind fanned the flames into fury. When a rescuer tried to enter through a window, the heat and smoke forced him away. Suddenly the stairs gave way and the roof fell in. The man had waited too long and was buried beneath the ruins.

How much GREATER tragedy awaits ALL who refuse to "flee from the wrath to come." (Lk 3:7) “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Our sins have placed US in a far more perilous situation - with JESUS as our ONLY " fire escape."

But many reject God's provision of salvation and safety in Christ because they want to get "dressed up" in the clothes of self-righteousness or religion (Matthew 7:21) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Others procrastinate thinking, "I have plenty of time to decide" (Acts 24:25) “ And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Some delay their response because of concern about what others might think (cp. John 12:42) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

Many simply do not understand the reality and danger of their predicament (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, {his...: Gr. the angels of his power In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Others reject rescue attempts because they are clinging to material things which will soon be consumed (Matthew 6:19-21). Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Still others refuse to listen and trust the very ones who are warning them of DANGER (Matthew 23:37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Their delay could cost them their SOULS!

God will not allow the world to continue along on its present course indefinitely! "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. And He has given assurance of this to ALL by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

The alarm has sounded: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10).

But, Christ has come to the rescue! Delaying your response could have tragic consequences! Don’t delay! Come as you are!

Come as you are, placing your trust in God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of your sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38), AND committing the rest of your life to following Him (Colossians 2:6).

Please, just come as you are!

Marriage is a Loving Affair
18 Jul 04

Most people say, in one way or another, “We are getting married because we love each other.

Love is vital to success in marriage.  The Bible affirms the need for love between husband and wife.  Here are two vital verses on this truth:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Eph 5:25)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Tit 2:4)

From these two verses, we learn several important truths about the kind of love that should exist between husband and wife.  First, love is a command from God.  Second, Christ’s love for the church is the model for proper loving.  Third, love is to be taught.  Fourth, there must be a receptive mind toward developing proper love.  Firth, love is something we grow in day by day. 

In a society where love is abused and misused; and where love is usually equated with emotions and sex, it becomes essential to note carefully the love commanded by God.  In Eph 5:25, Paul uses the word agape (love).  This is a decision of the will to seek the higher good for the other person.  It involves caring and providing for another.  In 1 Cor 13, Paul calls it “the greatest.”

In Tit 2:4, Paul uses philandros (love).  This word denotes the “affectionate” aspect of love.  The emphasis is upon thoughtful expressions of love ”from the heart.”  It is the wife “showing” her husband that she loves him.  This is taught by older women to the younger women.

Since husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church, it follows, therefore, that one must have a basic knowledge about Christ and His relationship with the church.  How else can a husband obey this command?  Any approach to premarital counselling does not include studying how Christ loved the church is missing an essential ingredient in helping couples, especially men, understand the nature and kind of love that is to exist between husbands and wives.

In the text, Paul stressses one of the major ways Christ loved the church: “...gave Himself for it.”  However, this is one of the most difficult things for a husband (or wife) to do, and that is to give unto death for another.  This is especially true in our selfish society where everyone is geared to a “get” philosophy of life.  The Husband must do all “for her.”  This is biblical and godly life in action within a marriage.

In the context of Tit 2:4,5, we find seven things the younger women must be taught:

To be sober minded.

To love their husbands.

To love their children.

To be chaste (pure in heart).

To be workers at home (domestic emphasis).

To show kindness.

To be in subjection to their own husbands.

The seriousness of this teaching and training is expressed by Paul in these words, “...that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Tit 2:5).  Order women, who have developed these qualities in their lives, have a tremendous role to play in helping a young wife and mother achieve success in marriage.

Marriage is a loving affair.  Love is a major key to success in marriage.  Without godly love, failure  lies ahead.  It is the one thing that abides.

It is not possible to discuss love without being reminded of God’s essay on love.  It is found in 1 Cor 13:4-8, 1 Cor 13:13.

Each attribute of love, as defined by Paul, is a vital key to maintaining success in marriage.  The violation of any of these qualities will bring ruin to a marriage.  When we practise these qualities toward our mates, we are treating them like Christ treated (and treats) the church.  How can a marriage fail when husband and wife are being CHRISTIAN toward each other?

The word of God gives us “all things pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3).  This includes marriage; the God who ordains marriage, joins couples in marriage, and wants marriage to succeed, has given us what we need in order to be successful in marriage.  Our challenge is one of heeding and allowing what He has said.  This is especially true with regards to love.  Our Creator said that husband and wife must love each other.  When they do, success in marriage will occur.

And The Greatest Of These Is LOVE!
(1 Cor 13:13)

Marriage Communication
25 Jul 04

We published an article on  marriage last week and this week, we would like to include some guidelines for marriage communication.

1. Be a ready listener and do not answer until the other person has finished talking. .(Pro 18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

2. Be slow to speak. Think first.  Don’t be hasty in your words.  Speak in such a way that the other person can understand and accept what you say. (Jas 1:19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

3. Speak the truth always but do it in love.  Do not exaggerate. (1 Cor 13:6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

4. Do not use silence to frustrate the other person.  Explain why you are hesitant to talk at this time.

5. Do not become involved in quarrels.  It is possible to disagree without quarrelling

6. Do not respond in anger.  Use a soft and kind response. (Job 19:2)  How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words

7. When you are in the wrong, admit it and ask for forgiveness. (1 Cor 13:4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

8. Avoid nagging. (Pro 27:15) A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. (Pro 21:9)  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house

9. Do not blame or criticize the other but restore them, encourage them and edify them.  If someone verbally attacks, criticizes or blames you, do not respond in the same manner. (Jas 3:8-10)But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

10. Try to understand the other person’s opinion.  Make allowances for differences.  Be concerned about their interests.  (Phi 2:3-4) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Are you in love with the Lord ?
7 Questions to ask yourself.

1.    Do you think of Him often?
How often do you think of Jesus? Is He only in your thoughts during Sunday worship services? (Phil 4:8)

2.   Do you want to please Him?
Jesus’ love for God motivated him to put God’s will first in His life. (Jn 8:29b, Jn 4:34a, Lk 22:42b)

3.    Do you conduct yourself so as to make a good impression? (2 Cor 5:17)
Does your life show that you have changed?  Does your conduct confirm it?

4.   Do you like to be with Him?
His invitation to all is, “Come to Me” (Mt 11:28)  Jesus was so close to Paul that he states in (Gal 2:20) “Christ lives in me.”

5.   Do you have implicit faith in Him?
The Bible speaks of different degrees of faith:

“great” faith (Mt 8:10), “strong” faith (Rom 4:20)
“little” faith (Mt 6:30), and “weak” faith (Rom 14:1).

What kind of faith do you have in the Lord?

6.   Do you want to make Him happy?
Do you enjoy giving Him gifts?  Paul said that you prove “the sincerity of your love through giving. (2 Cor 8:8)

7.   Do your present and your future center in Him?
When you sing, “Jesus is all the world to me,” do you mean it? (Phil 3:7-8) Paul was not interested in a future that did not include Jesus.  What about you?