Easter Sunday 2024: The King of Another Kingdom
As Jesus stand trial, he refused to mobilize his servants to prevent His arrest. He was consistent to the end as he spoke of Himself as the King of another Kingdom. His death bought the Kingdom and His people. Today, the modern man focuses on the kingdom of this world, and thus miss Jesus’ glorious and invisible kingdom. Behold, the day will come when this Kingdom will descend and all eyes will see it, and all those who belong to it will rejoice.
The Church in Thyatira: Toxic Tolerance
The church in Thyatira may be the least prominent among the 7 churches but it received the longest letter from Jesus. Though their works motivated by love and faith were growing, they have become tolerant of a false teacher who is seducing other believers to sin. Our God who sees all things and searches mind and heart will throw the false teacher and her followers into tribulation unless they repent. In face of increasing calls for tolerance in our culture, the church needs to be guided by the Scriptures to take a firm stand about what should be tolerated and what shouldn’t be tolerated. However, ultimately, the Christian community should not be defined by what it tolerates but by the sacrificial love of Jesus and our commitment to follow and imitate Him.
The Compassionate, Just and Jealous God
We all love the idea that God is compassionate and gracious. However, this same merciful God would also not leave the guilty unpunished, because He is just. Despite His mercy, sin always has consequences, so that people would not take sin lightly. Yet because of His mercy, there is still hope for restoration when we repent after falling into sin. God says He is a jealous God, how can that be our warning and comfort?
God’s Presence, Mercy and Glory
How important is God’s presence to you? Would you settle for a life full of material blessings but without the presence of God? What if sin causes God to withdraw His presence from you? God has revealed time and again that even when He is angry with sin, He is still merciful, so those who seek Him will find Him. Have you ever sought to see the glory of God? In what ways does God reveal His glory?
Israel’s Deadly Sin and Moses’ Mediation
The Israelites had barely confirmed the covenant with God but in less than 40 days’ time, they broke the covenant. How quickly humans can fall into sin. But how can we repent and pray for reconciliation to God? What kind of prayer will be pleasing to God? Can our prayers change God’s mind?
The Church In Pergamum: Dangers Of Compromise
The letter to the church in Pergamum is a reminder on the dangers of compromise.
Though the church was commended for keeping the faith against external pressures, they have allowed a subtle form of compromise to slowly develop. Some of them have forgotten their identities, wanting to be their own gods and succumbed to worldly beliefs. As the Lord comes as a judge with his Word to his churches, his desire is for them to repent and receive the fullness of his blessings.
God’s Equipping for Work and Call to Rest
God never demands people to do what is impossible for them. No matter how difficult a task He calls them to do, He will always gift them with the necessary abilities. But when God empowers, did we obey? Have we used His gifts faithfully to fulfil His purpose and to glorify Him? Besides faithfully doing His work, have we also faithfully rested as He commanded? How can the Sabbath as a sign of covenant loyalty to God apply to modern day Christians?
The Shape and Nature of Abraham’s Blessings
Everyone in the world seeks some form of blessing. However, the true blessing from God may be different from what the world desires. As seen in the story of Abraham, God’s blessing can be the transformation of an individual into a person who lives by faith and not by sight. Through this transformation, Abraham becomes God’s instrument to bring His ultimate blessing to the world – Jesus Christ.
Be A Sweet Aroma To God
Having atoned for our sins, God invites us to come to Him in prayers, to remember His redemption and be close to Him. However, He also wants us to approach Him in the right way, and live a life in acknowledgement of His ownership. Are we living a God-pleasing life now? Are our lives a sweet aroma to God?
Church in Smyrna: Faithful in Tribulation
The letter to the church in Smyrna is the shortest letter among the letters to the 7 churches and contains no rebuke. To a suffering Church like Smyrna, Jesus reminded them that He is eternal, sovereign over life and history and He is acquainted with their grief. God identifies with those the persecuted for his sake and he points them to an eternal reward if they remain faithful. Ultimately, it is the Word of God that can truly sustain our faith.
