This word “charity” describes the outworking of God’s love in the life of a believer. This love is both unconditional and sacrificial as exemplified by Jesus’ life. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all”. This word “charity” has a definite article attached to it in the Greek text. The definite article attached to this love describes the specific characteristic or identity of such a love. Greek grammar tells us that this definite article serves to point out, to draw attention to, to identify, to make definite, and to define the character of this “agape” type of love.

Exodus 27:1-8 (KJV)
1. And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
2. And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
3. And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.

Matthew 3:1-17 (KJV)
1. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2. And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Exodus 25:23-40 (KJV)
23. Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
24. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
25. And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene…The scene opens before us at the end of the Sabbath. The Jewish Sabbath is our Saturday. The Jewish day starts at 6am and ends at 6am the next day. The end of the Sabbath is some time at dawn before day breaks on our Sunday. Friday was the first day of Jesus’ death. Saturday was the second day. This is the dawning of the third day, the day of resurrection. Mary Magdalene – who is she? A simple woman folk from Galilee! Why is she special?

Exodus 30:1-10; 34-38 (KJV)
1. And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
2. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
3. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

The Registry of Societies sent this email on 11 February 2014 – “Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church was registered on 28/01/2014 under the Societies Act. The gazette notification effecting the registration was published in the Government Gazette, Electronic Edition, on 06/02/2014 vide Notification Number 305. Copies of the gazette can be purchased from Legal Publishing, Toppan Leefung Pte. Ltd.”

Thank God for His guidance in the registration of the church.

Exodus 25:10-22 (KJV)
10. And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
12. And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

We have embarked on the study of the Life of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew in our sermon series since January 2014. There are rich lessons that benefit our souls for eternity. This world and its wisdom will pass away, liable to change and corruption. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the living God in human flesh, full of grace and glory. There is no greater discipline than the study of the Word of God. There is no better picture of godliness than the life of His Son. Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God, the embodiment of the fullness of wisdom. Please pray for the preacher who has taken on a challenge unequal to the task. It is only by prayer and the Spirit’s enabling that the preaching of His Word may be accomplished for His glory.