Christmas Service 2023: When Love Seeks Us- “Where Are You?”
What are the first words that God spoke to the first sinners? Three simple words, “Where are you?” but it comes with a profound message. These three words tell of God’s mercy and desire to seek and save sinners. It prompts us to reflect whether we are in a right and safe place? God’s call, “Where are you?” can be comforting or intimidating, depending on the response to it. God is also tenderly seeking us today, how would you respond to Him?
The Redeemer in Christmas
As Christmas approaches, believers are called to prepare their hearts in hopeful anticipation to commemorate the birth of Jesus, and also the Lord’s second coming. However, waiting can be an unsettling process for many. Thus, it is important to remember who we are waiting and learn how we should wait. The story in Ruth points us to the ultimate redeemer we have in Christ and teaches us important lessons on we can receive grace as we wait.
The Hesed Of Christmas
We all know that God loves us. But what kind of love is this? How does it compare to the love we see in the world. The book of Ruth gives us an idea of ‘hesed’, the steadfast love of God, that culminates in the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us reflect on the love we have received and respond with a faithful generous love to God and others, even those we consider as outsiders.
Priestly Glory and Blessings
God cares about the finest details of worship and we cannot be cavalier when we approach our holy God. Are there iniquity even in our holy things, when we do and offer holy things? What do God’s instructions about priestly garments reveal about how much we need our Great High Priest Jesus Christ?
Entering Fellowship With A Just God
What can we learn from the Old Testament tabernacle, particularly its altar of burnt offering, its courtyard and ever burning lamps? What significance do they have to us even today? How do these reveal the righteousness and mercy of God? How can a sinner enter the presence of God and be accepted and forgiven of our sins such that we can restore reconciled fellowship with God?
Church in Ephesus: Love Abandoned
In the letters to 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, the Church in Ephesus was commended for their works, endurance and commitment sound doctrine. However, God has something against them. They have abandoned the love they had at first. It seems that without love, all the good they have done will mean nothing. Why is love so important and how is love often lost? As we look deeper, we see that the letter to Church in Ephesus is not a complaint letter from God, but a message of love that points them to an enduring hope.
A Renewed Mind, A Transformed Life
The Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work upon the Christian lives starts from the renewing of his mind. And the mind can only be renewed through being informed and educated by scriptural truths. The tragedy these days is that preachers of the word increasingly seek to motivate believers with slogans and tagline to live an active Christian life without renewing their mind with truths of God. That has largely contributed to a superficial faith.
Listen to this message from Pastor Vincent about the importance of a renewed mind and how it is the key element to a transformed life in Christ.
Access To God: Limited Then Restored
Because of sins, fallen mankind was separated from God. Even as God dwelt among His people through the tabernacle in the Old Testament, access to God was restricted and only selected individuals (i.e. the high priests) could enter the Most Holy Place to be most intimate with God. But thanks be to God that by the redemption of Christ, a new way to God was opened. Have you found the way back to God through Christ? Do you cherish the free access to God through Christ? Are there still any barriers between you and God that hinder your relationship with Him?
Forging Meaningful and Lasting Friendships
We’re all born into kinship, but friendships are made. Kinship is a given, but friendship somehow started off without ties and obligations.
As we grow up, step out from the comfort of our family and we just gravitate towards certain people in our lives.
We built trust with them, share our dreams with them, and friendships are forged. Yet, we are told that friendship in Christ means more than that.
How sacred can a Christian friendship be? How about friendships with non-believers? Hear Pastor Vincent speak about friendship.
God Dwells Among His People
What is the kind of worship that God desires from us? Why does the all-sufficient God request His people to build a tabernacle for Him? That is because God wants to dwell among His people and desires His people to centre their lives upon His presence. What can we learn from the sacred furnishings and items in the tabernacle that can help us appreciate God’s presence better?
