JURONG OUTREACH - MAY 05

DOERS OF THE WORD
1 May 05

We understand that not only in Bible times, but more so it seems in our times, there are those who will scoff at God’s word. They are not willing to give audience to God’s word; they are not willing to hear God’s word. They called it a dead letter and yet never having truly and honestly investigated its claims for themselves. Yet there are others who are willing to listen to God’s word but simply will do nothing about it. The Bible stresses the necessity of not only hearing, but then, of obeying that which we hear.

Recognizing what God’s word says is one thing but then, willing to obey and do, is another.  The difficulty in the lives of most Christians as well as many of the problems that arise in the congregation is not so much the ignorance of what God’s word teaches on a particular subject, but the willingness to abide by it in our lives. Most of those who miss worship services can quote Heb 10:25 as surely as I can.  It’s not a problem of knowledge, it is a matter of practice. Thus, God, through the pen of James, in particular, points out the importance of obeying or doing God’s word as well as hearing. Hearing is typically much easier than doing.  It’s one thing to sit in a Bible class or sermon and hear the preacher or teacher say “This is what the Word of God says and how important it is that we give heed to that”, we may even agree with every statement that he makes. But when it comes down to application of those principles in our day-to-day life, it becomes more difficult.

5 types of hearers:  (vs 22-25)

1.         THE SELF-DECEIVED HEARER

David deceived himself into believing that everything he had done could be justified until Nathan rebuked him. Someone says “The toughest man to deal with is the man in the mirror.”  That’s the danger of being self-deceived (vs 22)

2.         THE PUNITIVE HEARER

The punitive hearer is the one who believes that a good tongue lashing straightens everything out.  I know there are those who, sit in the pews and listen to a preacher spending some time in rebuke, exhortation and reproof and they come out and say, “Well, he really gave it to us this morning, didn’t he?”  “Well, that’s right. You know, he really has good points that really struck me, that really hurt,” And yet, from that point forward, they really do nothing to change their lives.  Here, James is talking about those who hear but make no change, deceiving themselves.

3.         THE SUBSTITUTE-FINDING HEARER

There are others who want to substitute. Those who want to substitute the 2 hours hearing for a week of working.  They believe that as long as they come in and occupy their places on the pew and sit through the sermon, God is pleased with that and that’s all that is.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  They are deceiving themselves.

4.         THE FORGETFUL HEARER

James talks about the very distinct possibility of being a forgetful hearer in vs 25.  He uses a very good illustration in vs 24, of a looking mirror, how that one can look into the mirror and can see the corrections that need to be made and yet as soon as they turn away and walk away from that, they begin to be occupied with something else, they forget what corrections needed to be made.  How easy it is for us to do the same thing with God’s word, whether we are listening to a sermon, whether we are studying the word for ourselves, or sitting in a Bible class, recognizing that there are corrections that need to be made, recognizing that there is Christian spiritual progress that needs to be made yet, no sooner than getting across the parking lot and into our car, we forget the urgency of that message.  This is one of the greatest spiritual dangers that can step into a Christian’s life – the tendency to forget.

5.         THE OBEDIENT HEARER

The good news is, James says, there are some believers who are not self-deceive, who are not forgetful.  There are some, in vs 22, who are obedient, that is, they are actually doers of the word and His commands. John deals with that in 1 Jn 5:3 when he says, For this is the love of God that ye keep my commandments.” 

Notice this, His commandments are not grievous. The one who is motivated properly by the love for God, His commandments are not grievous to him. He is the obedient hearer, he looks at every aspect of God’s will for his life and says, “Hey that’s not only the right thing to do, that’s a smart thing to do.  I appreciate God for steering me away from the wrong course of action or thinking. He doesn’t find his endeavor to practice God’s word in that regard, a tedious or a grievous thing but something that makes his life better.

WHAT GOD HAS COMANDED MAN TO DO?

Man must look into the perfect law of liberty. (Jas 1:25)  Study is not only a Christian’s duty but also a Christian’s privilege. We must study God’s word in order to handle it right.  2 Tim 2:15 and 1 Pet 2:2 challenge us to long for the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby.

Conclusion

Jesus concluded His sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the importance of obedient hearing.  Mt 7:21-23, “Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name?”  “I never knew you if you don’t do the will of the Father which is in heaven.”

YOUNG MOTHERS, WE LOVE YOU
8 May 05

What better way to express how we appreciate young mothers? The things written in this article are representative of the thinking of many Christians.  They remind us of our responsibility, our challenge, and our hope for the future.  Mothers, we salute you! And, if you want to know why, keep on reading.

WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE God has committed to your trust and care the priceless gift of little children.  They are “an heritage of the Lord,” and a reward to womanhood (Psalm 127:3).Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE children are a blessing to all people.  Think how dull and insipid life would be without the sight and sound of little children.  They are examples for us in so many ways.  We need to observe their love, innocence, humility, purity, and forgiving spirit.

(Matthew 18: 1-4) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(1 Corinthians 14:20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE we know how keenly and fearfully you feel about your responsibility to love, teach, train, nurture, provide for, and be an example to your children.

(Titus 2:4) that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

(I Tim 5:2) The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

(2 Tim1:5) When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

(Pro22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(Deu 6:4-9) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

You have shown your concern by taking advantages of opportunities provided by the church to help you in your task.

WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE we know from experience how much of your time, energy, and patience it takes just to bring your children to Bible study and worship services whenever the saints assemble.  Yet, it is “worth it,” and for the sake of the children and the Lord’s church, please don’t let up.  So many are counting on you.

WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE you are trying to guide little minds toward the goal of sincere and mature worship and service to God.  All of us who have tried to do the same know that it is not always easy to get up on a day when most don’t have to worry about getting the family off to work and school, when you are still tired from a busy week, and maybe not feeling well, and get ready fro Bible study and worship.  And, when we hear little voices and shuffling during services—don’t be embarrassed.  It just means a young mother cared enough to make the effort.  Don’t give up—God will bless you for it!

ORDINARY OR EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE?
15 MAY 05

Introduction: Read Luke 4:16-32.

Most people would like to rise above the ordinary and be unusual people. We accept the idea that such people are only for a few that God has endowed with special gifts. There are a few who have unusual gifts but by far the majority of unusual people were one time ordinary people.

Christ comes back to Nazareth and perform no miracles.  The people complain. Why does Christ not do in Nazareth what he did in Capernanum?  What makes the difference?

The difference was those in Capernanum were new and filled with astonishment to Christ’s teachings while those in Nazareth was filled with unbelief.  “And He did not many works there because of their unbelief.” (Mt. 13:58; Luke 4:31-33).

Now let us look at some examples of extraordinary people of the Bible.

David was an example of an ordinary man becoming unusual. 1 Sam.17:13, I Sam. 17:20, I Sam. 17:55.

What made the difference? There came the day when David did something. With God’s help he defeated Goliah,  the giant who defied the army of Israel. Though he was young and small in size in comparison to Goliah, his faith in God was greater than any other in Israel at that time. His faith caused him to him to act not like the ordinary man of his time but to stand out.

Another extraordinary man of the Bible was Gideon. Gideon was in bondage, just like the rest of the Israelites; Being poor and the least in his family (Judges 6:15) What made the difference? Gideon did something, instead of  bowing to the Midianites like others did, he went out at night and threshed wheat to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6:11). This was the difference. His faith and initiative to act was what enabled God to use him. Gideon became unusual because of what he did. What he did made the difference in God using him instead of others.

Mary of the New Testament was another special woman for our consideration. Mary has cheered multitudes. She is just an ordinary woman. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate that she was endowed by God above other woman  of her day. Yet wherever, the gospel goes, her name is carried. What is the difference? One day she did something.

(Mt. 26-1-13; John 12:1-8; Mk.14:3-9). John 14:8, Jesus says, “she has done what she could”.

Mary did something, while others did nothing. That  is what made the difference then and what makes the difference now.

What about the widow and her mite in Mk. 12:41-44? The widow who is a memorial that has inspired thousands in the service of God. What made the difference? There came a day she did something. Was it something reserved for this widow alone. No., she gave a gift showing sacrifice, love and trust in God. What she did made the difference.

There are so many extraordinary men and women in the Bible who gave to the Lord what others didn’t and who did by their faith in the Lord what others didn’t.  Whose lives filled the pages of the Bible for our learning.

The final one that I would like to mention here is the Good Samaritian (Lk. 10:25-37) Samaritians were despised by the Jews. The Jews refused to have anything to do with them. Yet we find a particular Samaritian commended in their scripture, while many of the Jews themselves were condemned. What made the difference?

His name became the symbol of love and neighbourliness. Why were the Levites and the Priests not thought of in the same way? The Samaritian did something while others who could have done the same thing didn’t.

What he did made the difference!

There are some whose names live in infamy. Judas and Demas for example. Would it have been better for them never to have been born? Was it written in the stars that such be so? No, What they did made the difference.

Let us learn that the difference between ordinary and unusual people is simple: The difference is between doing and not doing.

There are opportunities at hand for all of us. If we see them and use them as the ordinary people of ages past, we will be like them, and become extraordinary people.

BLIND SKIERS
22 May 05

A television program preceding the Winter Olympics one year featured blind skiers being trained for down hill skiing – impossible as it sounds! Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were taught on the flats, how to make right and left turns. When that was mastered, they were taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners skied beside them shouting, "Left!" and "Right!" As they obeyed the commands, they were able to negotiate the course and cross the finish line, depending solely on the sighted skier’s word. It was either complete trust or catastrophe.

As YOU and I navigate the course of life with its obstacles and slopes, we are a lot like those blind skiers!

We NEED guidance not only to make the right turns, but also to be sure we are on the right track (see Jeremiah 10:23)!

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

The Bible teaches that in order to find our proper course and finish it successfully, we must "walk ["ski"] by FAITH, not by SIGHT"

(2 Cor 5:7) For we walk by faith, not by sight:

Our Guide, the Lord God, sees all (Hebrews 4:13), Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. so we must listen to the instructions given to us through His Word and trust Him enough to obey His commands.

Because of His great love for us, God sent His Son to "blaze the trail" for us, that WE might enter heaven and live eternally (Hebrews 2:10). For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

(John 14:6). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me"

IF we believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,  trust God enough to "turn" from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 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. confess Jesus before men and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the remission 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. THEN we are placed on the "right track," for we become children of God. And if we will continue to follow Jesus, obeying God’s commandments, we will cross the "finish line" successfully and receive the crown of life.

(1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin

(Revelation 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.

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 He watches over me

Why should I feel discourage, Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow; And I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING
29 MAY 05

What would you do if you won the lottery? Now, I am not advocating playing the lottery or experimenting with any type of gambling, but I doubt there are too many of us who haven’t dreamed about what we would do with millions of dollars.

Have you ever wondered what happens to those who do win the lottery? Here are a few examples as reported by *Richard O'Connor: Ken Proxmire was a machinist when he won $1 million in the Michigan lottery. He moved to California , went into the car business with his brothers and within five years, filed for bankruptcy. Willie Hurt of Lansing , Michigan won $3.1 million in 1989; two years later he was broke and charged with murder. Missourian Janite Lee won $18 million in 1993; eight years later she filed for bankruptcy and had $700 left to her name. William Post won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania lottery in 1988 but now lives totally on his Social Security ($450 a month). Evelyn Adams of New Jersey won the state lottery not once, but twice (’85, ’86). Her winnings totaled $5.4 million dollars. In 2004 the money was all gone and she was living in a trailer! Adams is quoted as saying, "I won the American dream, but I lost it, too." Post said, "I wish it never happened. It was a total nightmare." Another winner stated, "It was NOT the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

As you can see, winning – especially winning the lottery – isn’t everything!

Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your TREASURE is, there your HEART will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

Why not store up treasures on earth? Because Jesus warned us that earthly treasures are subject to rust, decay, and theft. In fact, this WORLD and ALL of its possessions will one day be GONE!

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, again quoting Richard O’Connor: "if your HEART is in heaven, you’ll never be heart broken, because your TREASURES will never grow old, they’ll never fade away, and no thief can steal them from you" (see also 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 21).

An ETERNAL inheritance awaits the faithful child of God....

To become a child of God, one must:

believe in Jesus, God’s Son (Acts 16:30-31)And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,

repent of sin (Acts 17:30-31) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 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,

confess Jesus before men (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

and be baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus 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. Then, the child of God must continue to live faithfully to the Heavenly Father (1 John 1:7; Revelation 2:10).

Winning isn’t everything when it comes to the material things of this earth. Several lottery winners have proven that! Winning IS everything when it comes to the ETERNAL reward of Heaven! Christ WON the victory in His death, burial, and resurrection. WE must align ourselves with Him in order to enjoy His reward!