Last night at E-Group, we also assigned a project to each person. With reference to Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the Talents, each one was given $100. 3 rules apply:
1. This is God's money given to you in trust.
2. You are to invest this with the best stewardship and wisdom for His Kingdom, outside our Church.
3. Please report back by end 2008 with what happened.
I had a further thought to share with you:
In 1 Cor 7, Paul extols the value of singleness. It is a gift; for most a season or for some a lifetime. It is a time of opportunity for undivided devotion to the Lord. Too often it is a gift squandered, looking for distractions to pass time, or pining for a significant other. Whilst on the subject of stewardship, I encourage you to consider how this season of your life may be used for greatest contribution to the Kingdom. Build deep in the Lord, engage in missions you would think twice about if married. I like Bill Gothard's challenge: Singleness is a race to see how much you can achieve for God before you get married!
Blessings,
Wen-Wei
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Transformational Indicator Application Plan - Wen-Wei
As we complete our study of 1 Cor and as we review the E-Phase TI's, I believe God is leading me to give attention to my witness and the sharing of the gospel.
In 1 Cor 9:17-18, Paul declares his Sacred Stewardship of the Gospel.
Then in 1 Cor 9:19-23, Paul describes his Self-Sacrificing Submission for the Sake of the Gospel
In short, his life models Passion, Priority and Purposefulness for the Gospel.
TI 1(C). "A disciple learns to seize opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers and exhorts them to receive salvation in Christ."
The reference is Acts 11:19-21. In this passage, the Jews were scattered because of persecution. Unnamed men, "ordinary believers", from Cyprus and Cyrene, who were part of the dispersion came to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus to them.
Lesson - Passion, Priority and Purposefulness for the Gospel is not simply the purview of the apostle but for every believer, regardless or in spite of circumstances.
So, my application plan for the next few months:
1. Sign up for My Hope Singapore
2. Attend training to be a host
3. Follow the 5 steps in the MHS Prayer Card to identify and pray for people to invite
But I think "learns to seize" suggests more than an event-driven outreach. It involves the Gospel as a part of daily life.
So, concurrent to the above 3 steps, I will:
4. Identify those whom I know who shares the gospel more easily than I and plan to spend time with them to learn from them
5. Pray daily for God to move my heart in compassion for the lost and for boldness to share when divine appointments present themselves
Please pray with me in this.
In 1 Cor 9:17-18, Paul declares his Sacred Stewardship of the Gospel.
Then in 1 Cor 9:19-23, Paul describes his Self-Sacrificing Submission for the Sake of the Gospel
In short, his life models Passion, Priority and Purposefulness for the Gospel.
TI 1(C). "A disciple learns to seize opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers and exhorts them to receive salvation in Christ."
The reference is Acts 11:19-21. In this passage, the Jews were scattered because of persecution. Unnamed men, "ordinary believers", from Cyprus and Cyrene, who were part of the dispersion came to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus to them.
Lesson - Passion, Priority and Purposefulness for the Gospel is not simply the purview of the apostle but for every believer, regardless or in spite of circumstances.
So, my application plan for the next few months:
1. Sign up for My Hope Singapore
2. Attend training to be a host
3. Follow the 5 steps in the MHS Prayer Card to identify and pray for people to invite
But I think "learns to seize" suggests more than an event-driven outreach. It involves the Gospel as a part of daily life.
So, concurrent to the above 3 steps, I will:
4. Identify those whom I know who shares the gospel more easily than I and plan to spend time with them to learn from them
5. Pray daily for God to move my heart in compassion for the lost and for boldness to share when divine appointments present themselves
Please pray with me in this.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Applications on 1 Corinthians
This one thing that i draw from this studies is that we are to play to the audience of one - doing things that is to His glorification.
In this study, the main theme i draw (like many others) is LOVE. It is often hard to begin with love to some, but we are called to, at the end of day, i wouldn't want to be just a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (13:1, NLT). Indeed, it is only through a close relationship with Him then can we draw the strength to extend love and grace to some.
Some ways that remind me to do things out of love includes the following:
1) PRAY!
2) to read His Word
3) keeping verses at heart (e.g. fruits of spirit Gal 5:22-23, 1 cor 13:4-8)
4) to remember JOY - Jesus first, others second, myself last
my applications will be:
1) Keeping God's commands at heart
2) to be an example in showing love, especially so in ministry
3) practice JOY
Jami
In this study, the main theme i draw (like many others) is LOVE. It is often hard to begin with love to some, but we are called to, at the end of day, i wouldn't want to be just a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (13:1, NLT). Indeed, it is only through a close relationship with Him then can we draw the strength to extend love and grace to some.
Some ways that remind me to do things out of love includes the following:
1) PRAY!
2) to read His Word
3) keeping verses at heart (e.g. fruits of spirit Gal 5:22-23, 1 cor 13:4-8)
4) to remember JOY - Jesus first, others second, myself last
my applications will be:
1) Keeping God's commands at heart
2) to be an example in showing love, especially so in ministry
3) practice JOY
Jami
Monday, September 8, 2008
1 Corinthians Summary - Bee Lan
My study bible for this book is filled with a sea of pink and blue, being colors used for references to Paul and the Corinthians, so i thought it appropriate to approach from that angle. While being totally appalled by the corinthian attitude towards Paul, their shepherd, and their apparent unchristian behaviour in church, i'm reminded that that profile seems vaguely familiar.Aren't we like them..being enriched in every way (1:5), yet still so spiritually immature..upholding human wisdom with high regard, being competitive even in christian matters and totally lacking love.
Paul, on the other hand, is a foil to them. He almost seems superhuman save for his use of sarcasm in chpt 4. However, even that weakness pales in comparison to his patience and long suffering and of course love to them. How did he do that? The answer (i believe) lies in his resolve in 2:1 to know nothing...except Jesus Christ resonating Phil 3:10. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in HIs sufferings becoming like HIm in HIs death.
When Paul testified of Christ and what Christ did for him ( 15:10)..but by the grace of God, I am what i am... he was struck by humility before God and called himself the least of the apostles with the attitude of 'just unworthy servants doing our duty'. It is all about Christ and not of him. He is thus able to submit himself
1) to weaker brothers eg 8:1..therefore if what i eat causes my brother to fall into sin, i will never eat meat again.
2) to reach the lost 10:33.. i try to please everybody in every way, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
3) because of resurrection. 15:30-31..Why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die daily. If there's no resurrection, why should he suffer persecution and privation for Christ everyday.
The lesson for me then is to make Christ the sole subject of my life, by making Christ the object of my worship, emulating Christ's example by exhibiting Christlike behaviour in my life and relationship with others, obeying Christ's commands and preaching Christ. Steps that I'm praying to embark on first are taken from The definition of Discipleship :
1)Regularly confessing sins and proving repentance to my holy God.
2) Disciplining thought-life by meditating QT thoughts through the day.
3) Discharging authority at home with love and respect...to Wei, mom, children, helper and guests eg overlooking propriety and even messiness with regards to my mom.( In case of misunderstanding by others outside our e-group reading, my mom is suffering from dementia.)
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus,
Bee Lan
Paul, on the other hand, is a foil to them. He almost seems superhuman save for his use of sarcasm in chpt 4. However, even that weakness pales in comparison to his patience and long suffering and of course love to them. How did he do that? The answer (i believe) lies in his resolve in 2:1 to know nothing...except Jesus Christ resonating Phil 3:10. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in HIs sufferings becoming like HIm in HIs death.
When Paul testified of Christ and what Christ did for him ( 15:10)..but by the grace of God, I am what i am... he was struck by humility before God and called himself the least of the apostles with the attitude of 'just unworthy servants doing our duty'. It is all about Christ and not of him. He is thus able to submit himself
1) to weaker brothers eg 8:1..therefore if what i eat causes my brother to fall into sin, i will never eat meat again.
2) to reach the lost 10:33.. i try to please everybody in every way, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
3) because of resurrection. 15:30-31..Why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die daily. If there's no resurrection, why should he suffer persecution and privation for Christ everyday.
The lesson for me then is to make Christ the sole subject of my life, by making Christ the object of my worship, emulating Christ's example by exhibiting Christlike behaviour in my life and relationship with others, obeying Christ's commands and preaching Christ. Steps that I'm praying to embark on first are taken from The definition of Discipleship :
1)Regularly confessing sins and proving repentance to my holy God.
2) Disciplining thought-life by meditating QT thoughts through the day.
3) Discharging authority at home with love and respect...to Wei, mom, children, helper and guests eg overlooking propriety and even messiness with regards to my mom.( In case of misunderstanding by others outside our e-group reading, my mom is suffering from dementia.)
My love to all of you in Christ Jesus,
Bee Lan
1 Cor Summary (YT)
1. We are no longer accountable to men (2:15, 7:23).
This is one of the best reminders for me to do things for our Lord, instead of seeking approval from men. As I think further, I realise that God's standards is much higher and with us looking to please God, we earn approval from men too. The tricky part is to continue to stay focus on our Lord, not be blinded by the praises of men. Of course, this does not mean that whatever we do with the Lord in mind will be pleasing/ acceptable to earthly men with earthly visions and goals.
2. Keep God's commands above all things (7:19).
This is self-explanatory. It has an intrinsic link to #1.
3. Love people because God first loved us, and also because He loves everyone (8:9, 8:1, 14:26)
Loving others include not causing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble. Loving others means loving with the right motivation and source. Source being God, and the motivation is that He loves us, the ugly sinners first. Also, the standards I strive for in loving others should be of God's, not by human understanding of love, which sometimes can be plain materialistic and possessive.
4. God uses the humble and the weak (1:25).
Using in the sense of putting the humble and the weak to good purpose. This is a reminder for me not to be proud, not to act smart, when "the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom". Recently, I have also experienced God's strength in times when I am weak. Such reminders (from Pastor Andrew's sermon, a reminder to remember God's goodness to us in the past) will serve me well in my walk with God.
5. My work for God will be tested and revealed (3:12-15).
This highlights the importance of being a good steward of God. It is one of the best reminders to work hard and well for Him, building up the "building" on the foundation of Christ. It reminds me of the importance of quality of my work, because it will be tested. Quality precedes quantity.
1 Corinthians is a great eye-opener for me. I hope that as we study the Word more, and as we continue to learn more, we will be able to apply them to love others more, for knowledge puffs up and love builds up. Brothers and Sisters, thanks for the journey so far. Looking forward to more fun times ahead! :)
This is one of the best reminders for me to do things for our Lord, instead of seeking approval from men. As I think further, I realise that God's standards is much higher and with us looking to please God, we earn approval from men too. The tricky part is to continue to stay focus on our Lord, not be blinded by the praises of men. Of course, this does not mean that whatever we do with the Lord in mind will be pleasing/ acceptable to earthly men with earthly visions and goals.
2. Keep God's commands above all things (7:19).
This is self-explanatory. It has an intrinsic link to #1.
3. Love people because God first loved us, and also because He loves everyone (8:9, 8:1, 14:26)
Loving others include not causing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble. Loving others means loving with the right motivation and source. Source being God, and the motivation is that He loves us, the ugly sinners first. Also, the standards I strive for in loving others should be of God's, not by human understanding of love, which sometimes can be plain materialistic and possessive.
4. God uses the humble and the weak (1:25).
Using in the sense of putting the humble and the weak to good purpose. This is a reminder for me not to be proud, not to act smart, when "the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom". Recently, I have also experienced God's strength in times when I am weak. Such reminders (from Pastor Andrew's sermon, a reminder to remember God's goodness to us in the past) will serve me well in my walk with God.
5. My work for God will be tested and revealed (3:12-15).
This highlights the importance of being a good steward of God. It is one of the best reminders to work hard and well for Him, building up the "building" on the foundation of Christ. It reminds me of the importance of quality of my work, because it will be tested. Quality precedes quantity.
1 Corinthians is a great eye-opener for me. I hope that as we study the Word more, and as we continue to learn more, we will be able to apply them to love others more, for knowledge puffs up and love builds up. Brothers and Sisters, thanks for the journey so far. Looking forward to more fun times ahead! :)
1 Corinthians application (Sharon)
My application is to be imitators of Christ which includes love as well.
The entire 1 Corinthians reflected Paul's love for the Corinthians. Paul had his ups and downs but still he continued to maintain that passion for the Corinthians and that makes me very encouraged. His genuine love for the Corinthians is a result of imitating Christ's sacrificial love for his people.
By my own strength, I don't think I can last that long in loving people that makes me uncomfortable in every little way. To really be able to love people (grace growers/sandpaper people), my motivation to love has to be from Christ, the only one who is able to sustain me.
My application is to be imitators of Christ which includes love as well.
The entire 1 Corinthians reflected Paul's love for the Corinthians. Paul had his ups and downs but still he continued to maintain that passion for the Corinthians and that makes me very encouraged. His genuine love for the Corinthians is a result of imitating Christ's sacrificial love for his people.
By my own strength, I don't think I can last that long in loving people that makes me uncomfortable in every little way. To really be able to love people (grace growers/sandpaper people), my motivation to love has to be from Christ, the only one who is able to sustain me.
Practically speaking.. to love God and His people (believers or not), it all boils down to my relationship with Him which is strengthen when I have a consistent walk with Him.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
1 Corinthians Summary and Application
I broke the book down to a few mega themes (with the help of commentaries).
Loyalties
The Corinthians were rallying around various church leaders and teachers—Peter, Paul, and Apollos. These loyalties led to intellectual pride and created a spirit of division in the church.
Application
Our loyalty to human leaders or human wisdom must never divide Christians into camps. We must care for our fellow believers, not fight with them. My allegiance must be to Christ.
Immorality
Paul received a report of uncorrected sexual sin in the church at Corinth. The people had grown indifferent to immorality. Others had misconceptions about marriage. We are to live morally, keeping our bodies for God's service at all times.
Application
I must never compromise with sinful ideas and practices. We should not blend in with people around us. You must live up to God's standard of morality and not condone immoral behavior, even if society accepts it. As much as I think I am safe now, I might fall into the sin one day, therefore, I must always be watchful.
Freedom
Paul taught freedom of choice on practices not expressly forbidden in Scripture. Some believers felt certain actions—like eating the meat of animals used in pagan rituals—were corrupt by association. Others felt free to participate in such actions without feeling that they had sinned.
Application
We are free in Christ, yet we must not abuse our Christian freedom by being inconsiderate and insensitive to others. We must never encourage others to do something they feel is wrong just because we have done it. Let love guide my behavior. There are some things that I guess I do that might stumble others, therefore, when I am with them, I will not do what might stumble them (referring to stumbling issues, not right or wrong issues here).
Worship
Paul addressed disorder in worship. People were taking the Lord's Supper without first confessing sin. There was misuse of spiritual gifts and confusion over women's roles in the church.
Application
Worship must be carried out properly and in an orderly manner. Everything we do to worship God should be done in a manner worthy of his high honor. Make sure that worship is harmonious, useful, and edifying to all believers.
Resurrection
Some people denied that Christ rose from the dead. Others felt that people would not physically be resurrected. Christ's resurrection assures us that we will have new, living bodies after we die.
Application
Since we will be raised again to life after we die, our life is not in vain. We must stay faithful to God in our morality and our service. We are to live today knowing we will spend eternity with Christ.
=================
My take of Love
I feel that love should be the motivation for all actions. Our love should first be toward God, then toward people. In my sharing, I've mentioned that sometimes I just wanted to do what is right, yet many times, I wonder how much of my actions are based on love. Then came the question, if I don't love people, do I love God? Do I truly love God? Can I say that? If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 cor 13:1)
I continue to search God for an answer, because if my actions are not based on love, I pray that the Lord will guide me towards that. If my actions are based on love, I pray that my attitude will change towards others. It's not unknown that I am strict, but am I in the position to be so strict with others? How about extending more grace? How about being merciful?
Practical actions? Thinking twice before I do anything, is it out of love? Or just out of a sense of my own self-righteousness. Then be quick to love, slow to judge. That's all.
Loyalties
The Corinthians were rallying around various church leaders and teachers—Peter, Paul, and Apollos. These loyalties led to intellectual pride and created a spirit of division in the church.
Application
Our loyalty to human leaders or human wisdom must never divide Christians into camps. We must care for our fellow believers, not fight with them. My allegiance must be to Christ.
Immorality
Paul received a report of uncorrected sexual sin in the church at Corinth. The people had grown indifferent to immorality. Others had misconceptions about marriage. We are to live morally, keeping our bodies for God's service at all times.
Application
I must never compromise with sinful ideas and practices. We should not blend in with people around us. You must live up to God's standard of morality and not condone immoral behavior, even if society accepts it. As much as I think I am safe now, I might fall into the sin one day, therefore, I must always be watchful.
Freedom
Paul taught freedom of choice on practices not expressly forbidden in Scripture. Some believers felt certain actions—like eating the meat of animals used in pagan rituals—were corrupt by association. Others felt free to participate in such actions without feeling that they had sinned.
Application
We are free in Christ, yet we must not abuse our Christian freedom by being inconsiderate and insensitive to others. We must never encourage others to do something they feel is wrong just because we have done it. Let love guide my behavior. There are some things that I guess I do that might stumble others, therefore, when I am with them, I will not do what might stumble them (referring to stumbling issues, not right or wrong issues here).
Worship
Paul addressed disorder in worship. People were taking the Lord's Supper without first confessing sin. There was misuse of spiritual gifts and confusion over women's roles in the church.
Application
Worship must be carried out properly and in an orderly manner. Everything we do to worship God should be done in a manner worthy of his high honor. Make sure that worship is harmonious, useful, and edifying to all believers.
Resurrection
Some people denied that Christ rose from the dead. Others felt that people would not physically be resurrected. Christ's resurrection assures us that we will have new, living bodies after we die.
Application
Since we will be raised again to life after we die, our life is not in vain. We must stay faithful to God in our morality and our service. We are to live today knowing we will spend eternity with Christ.
=================
My take of Love
I feel that love should be the motivation for all actions. Our love should first be toward God, then toward people. In my sharing, I've mentioned that sometimes I just wanted to do what is right, yet many times, I wonder how much of my actions are based on love. Then came the question, if I don't love people, do I love God? Do I truly love God? Can I say that? If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 cor 13:1)
I continue to search God for an answer, because if my actions are not based on love, I pray that the Lord will guide me towards that. If my actions are based on love, I pray that my attitude will change towards others. It's not unknown that I am strict, but am I in the position to be so strict with others? How about extending more grace? How about being merciful?
Practical actions? Thinking twice before I do anything, is it out of love? Or just out of a sense of my own self-righteousness. Then be quick to love, slow to judge. That's all.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
1 Cor Application (Dan)
OKOK i am GOING TO DO THIS or i'll never get it done...
my answer is kinda an application in progress... i still havent got the finer details nutted out so this might seem a little short
my application is....... love
LOVE
I think what struck me was the fact that love was so intricately wedged between two huge chunks on spiritual gifting, i think the largest exposition on spiritual gifts in the entire bible. And what this means to me, is that love underpins EVERYTHING we do. All manner of giftedness and ability and talent and what not is completely useless, fruitless and of no eternal value if its not done in love. Love MUST underpin EVERYTHING...
So how does this apply to me?
I think right now God wants me to focus on what i'm trying to do with the Kaleo ppl in worship.
More so in the training of the young ppl, to do this out of love both for they young ppl and for God. How to make this application tangable and measureable, i'm not too sure yet.
But just today (or was it yesterday...) i was talking to God about it, and He was saying, love is about people. Its not about ability or music or doing something right, its ALWAYS about people. And He reminded me that the reason He got me to do this worship thing in the first place is to build up PEOPLE, not to play music...
So... i needa think abit more how i wanna do that. Right now, the first step is to make my time with the worship team more intentionally about building them up as people, children of God on a spirtual journey. I pray that God will grant me the wisdom to say the words that would encourage them.
God Bless ya all
Dan
*****************************************************************************
"You're only old when you start to think more about your regrets from the past
than your dreams for the future."
*****************************************************************************
my answer is kinda an application in progress... i still havent got the finer details nutted out so this might seem a little short
my application is....
LOVE
I think what struck me was the fact that love was so intricately wedged between two huge chunks on spiritual gifting, i think the largest exposition on spiritual gifts in the entire bible. And what this means to me, is that love underpins EVERYTHING we do. All manner of giftedness and ability and talent and what not is completely useless, fruitless and of no eternal value if its not done in love. Love MUST underpin EVERYTHING...
So how does this apply to me?
I think right now God wants me to focus on what i'm trying to do with the Kaleo ppl in worship.
More so in the training of the young ppl, to do this out of love both for they young ppl and for God. How to make this application tangable and measureable, i'm not too sure yet.
But just today (or was it yesterday...) i was talking to God about it, and He was saying, love is about people. Its not about ability or music or doing something right, its ALWAYS about people. And He reminded me that the reason He got me to do this worship thing in the first place is to build up PEOPLE, not to play music...
So... i needa think abit more how i wanna do that. Right now, the first step is to make my time with the worship team more intentionally about building them up as people, children of God on a spirtual journey. I pray that God will grant me the wisdom to say the words that would encourage them.
God Bless ya all
Dan
*****************************************************************************
"You're only old when you start to think more about your regrets from the past
than your dreams for the future."
*****************************************************************************
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