Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
When the gospel is preached, there can be two responses. One may repent and receive Christ and be saved, one may reject Christ and perished in eternal damnation. The two thieves that were hung beside our Lord when He was on the cross provided for us this contrast.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
The blessing of the gospel to the believer is an eternal one. From the day of conversion, eternal life with God comes to us through Jesus Christ.
Thank God for the life that Christ impart in the hearts of God’s people. This effervescing life causes to live triumphantly for God’s honour and glory. Indeed, the knowledge that comes from God imparts life. It imparts great value to the lives it influences.
When the Apostle Paul was in the city of Troas, God opened the door for the gospel work. He, however, did not stay in Troas to advance the gospel there because Titus who was supposed to meet him there did not turn up! Titus was on the errand for the Apostle Paul.
Family Day 2017
Thank God for gathering 43 members and friends for Family Day 2017 at the Rasa Sentosa Resort on 22 December.
The theme of our retreat was “Strengthening Our Devotional Life”. There were two messages – The Believer’s Quiet Time (Psalm 63:1-8) and Tools for the Trade (Joshua 1:8).
This is an excerpt of “The Believer’s Quiet Time”:
“The believer’s quiet time is private devotion time, set aside for the purpose of cultivating a rich spiritual life. It is an appointment with God. The believer’s quiet time seeks to move him from a state of stress to a state of rest. The cultivation of a calm spirit in the peace and joy of God is the frame of a man in touch with God. The believer’s quiet time is the high point of private worship. The elements of private devotion are prayer, the reading and meditation of God’s Word. What is God’s message for me this day? The quiet time must not deteriorate to a regiment. It must not take away the excitement and delight of the soul in the pursuit of God. Yet there is a need to have self-discipline to cultivate a habit of life-long devotion to God.
Satan, the adversary of the brethren, may find ground to accuse the believers in Corinth. He attacks Christ’s church. The believers are counselled by the Apostle Paul to know how the devil attacks. There is a need for unity.
If God has not forgiven us, we are still in our sins. If God has not forgiven us, we are awaiting the fearful wrath and judgment of God. But because God has forgiven us through the unmerited favour of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we no longer are at enmity with God but was reconciled to the Father in a blessed familial relationship enjoying peace and joy in our hearts.
William MacDonald observed well, “Paul’s concern in this matter was not simply personal vindication or primarily that an erring brother be brought in line but that the Corinthian congregation could demonstrate the strength of their commitment to Paul (cf. 7:2). Their love and devotion to him would be affirmed by their being obedient to his directives (cf. John 15:14).”
The repentant is to be received with love. The prodigal son came to himself and came back to the father. The father confirms his love towards him by conferring the best clothing the household could offer, the best meal and a ring to restore his position in the family.
Hymns: RHC 3 Love Divine, 474a O Perfect Love, 143 O Holy Night
Psalm 148
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
TRIBUTE TO OUR MAKER
OUTLINE
From the Heavens Above (v1-6)
From the Earth Below (v7-13)
From God’s people (v14)