Spoke at the Water Baptism service this afternoon based on the following text (1 Pet 3:18-21 NIV):
18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Water baptism has a rich symbolic meaning. It's a sacrament instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ to remind us of our identification with His death and resurrection. The flood waters in Noah's days speak of the death of the wicked, which typifies carnality in our sinful flesh. Baptism also speaks of the death of Christ and the believer who places his trust in the Lord. The apostle Peter mentioned that water baptism is not to be seen as a ritual to remove dirt from our physical body but rather a step of obedience taken to pledge in following God fully.
The way to live with a good conscience before God is to allow our spirit man to be washed by the "waters" of baptism. The waters of baptism is a picture of
1. The Word of God - Christ has cleansed the church by the washing of water with the Word. When you're submerged in the waters, it represents the Word having full authority over your life. It should govern your thought and behaviour in life.
2. The Holy Spirit - the river of life that flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1). When you're submerged in the waters, it represents the Spirit having full control over your life. He would lead and guide you into all truth.
When we bathe, we clean ourselves on the outside. However, the clean ourselves on the inside, we need to allow God's Word and Spirit to rule over our inner man; obeying His Word and responding to the Spirit's prompting would cause us to speak and act in a manner pleasing to God. When we do so, we take steps in crucifying the sinful nature and to allow God's grace to work in our lives. It is important that we spend time in solitude with God - praying in the spirit and meditating on His Word. May the sacrament of water baptism reminds us of our pledge to live before God as such - letting His Word richly dwell within us (Col 3:16) and being constantly filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18) in order that praise and thanksgiving will flow freely from our lips to God the Father. That's how water baptism saves us - when we allow God to complete His work in us through His Word and His Spirit on a daily basis.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
In Praise of God (Ps 145)
This is a lovely psalm to meditate on as it declares the praises of God, who is the object of our worship. The psalmist, David, began by extolling God himself (v1-2) and then brought in the generation(v4), followed by the whole of creation (v10). God is praiseworthy and we can't do enough praising by ourselves. So we see the progression from the single to the many.
Next, we note the frequency of praising God. David talked about praising God everyday (v2). Do we do so, or is it just on Sundays or days when we meet together as a church? This is one major pre-occupation of the angelic hosts in heaven and would be ours too when we get there (Rev 5:11-14). So we had better learn how to praise God aright here, because as David declared, "I will praise Thy name forever and forever." Within his heart, David knew that he would continue living beyond this world's existence because God's kingdom is everlasting (v13).
We moved on to the name or character of God. The Hebrew concept of a person's name carries with it the identity of the person. Just as the name Daniel means "God is my Judge", Daniel lived his life to a ripe old age walking righteously, knowing that the pagan kings whom he served were not really his judges, but God alone. When we bless or exalt the name of God, we are declaring His worth as a person of character and substance. Let's take a look at some of the characteristics of God that David praised Him for:
1) Great God & King (v1,3) as seen in His glorious splendor (v5) and through His mighty acts (v4) and awesome works (v6).
2) Abundant goodness and righteousness (v7,17)
3) Gracious and merciful (v8)
4) Slow to anger and rich in love (v8)
5) Faithful to all His promises (v13)
6) Kind (v17)
We can follow David's example in praising God by declaring His worth. God is our Protector (v14) and our Provider (v15-16). This psalm closes with wonderful promises to those who
a) call upon Him in truth (v18) - His presence is assurd
b) fear or reverence Him (v19) - His provision is abundant
c) love Him (v20) - His protection is encompassing
Let's speak of the praise of the LORD and bless His holy name forever and ever (v21).
Hallelujah!
Next, we note the frequency of praising God. David talked about praising God everyday (v2). Do we do so, or is it just on Sundays or days when we meet together as a church? This is one major pre-occupation of the angelic hosts in heaven and would be ours too when we get there (Rev 5:11-14). So we had better learn how to praise God aright here, because as David declared, "I will praise Thy name forever and forever." Within his heart, David knew that he would continue living beyond this world's existence because God's kingdom is everlasting (v13).
We moved on to the name or character of God. The Hebrew concept of a person's name carries with it the identity of the person. Just as the name Daniel means "God is my Judge", Daniel lived his life to a ripe old age walking righteously, knowing that the pagan kings whom he served were not really his judges, but God alone. When we bless or exalt the name of God, we are declaring His worth as a person of character and substance. Let's take a look at some of the characteristics of God that David praised Him for:
1) Great God & King (v1,3) as seen in His glorious splendor (v5) and through His mighty acts (v4) and awesome works (v6).
2) Abundant goodness and righteousness (v7,17)
3) Gracious and merciful (v8)
4) Slow to anger and rich in love (v8)
5) Faithful to all His promises (v13)
6) Kind (v17)
We can follow David's example in praising God by declaring His worth. God is our Protector (v14) and our Provider (v15-16). This psalm closes with wonderful promises to those who
a) call upon Him in truth (v18) - His presence is assurd
b) fear or reverence Him (v19) - His provision is abundant
c) love Him (v20) - His protection is encompassing
Let's speak of the praise of the LORD and bless His holy name forever and ever (v21).
Hallelujah!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
School Examinations
"Examinations" - that's a dreaded word for all students who have to go through it, which is usually around this time of the year or end Oct/early Nov for the 'O' and 'A' levels respectively. The P6s would have completed their PSLE and some secondary students have ended their final examinations; they are heaving a great sigh of relief. Whether taken in the middle or end of the year, examinations serve several purposes for which they've been constructed.
For one, it enables students to revise and review their work in order to keep abreast with knowledge and skills set that are essential for the next level of work. Often times, future topics/subjects to be covered build upon earlier materials learnt. Though exams may create stress and anxiety amongst students, it nonetheless provides the impetus for students to work on grounding their concepts. This is where they could turn to their peers or tutors for help. As they do so, they pick up the important soft social skills in communicating and relating with one another. It is also a good way for them to develop courage and initiative.
Secondly, examinations serve to provide feedback to teachers and students concerning their level of mastery where different subjects are concerned. Teachers often practised "positive marking", which means, rewarding students for the correct knowledge and skills they have displayed. So a well constructed test paper would be able to ascertain the amount of acquisition a student has attained. If it is a formative exam, it would allow teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly to help their students level up their knowledge and skills. However, some exams are placement exams which serves as an instrument to allocate students into different schools according to their ranking amongst their cohort; the PSLE being a case in point. In this regard, competition for choice schools are thus decided.
For the students, examinations do provide them with feedback regarding where they've gone wrong such as making a careless mistake or not understanding a topic well. Taken in the right spirit, it should spur a child to improve on his/her performance the next time round. Students often lament that they do not have the time to cover the topics for the exams due to their heavy commitment in CCAs or other activities. This is where they need to learn how to plan and organise their schedules and priorities, which again are essential life-skills.
Parents are keenly involved in their children's exams, especially in the lower levels of education. Some would even coach or provide tuition support for their children while others can only provide moral support. This is inevitable as human resource is a precious commodity in our country. In a meritocratic society, the attainment of a paper qualification assures one of a good well-paying job. Of course, some do buck the trend but in general, it is so. Little wonder then that tuition centres and private tutors are making big bucks. To emphasize more on continual assessment, many primary schools are doing away with exams for the first few years. This would entail carefully crafted rubrics (hard work by teachers) to gauge the performance of students in order to provide appropriate feedback.
We may not be taking exams now but the Bible exhorts us to conduct an examination on ourselves. And this is with regard to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 13:5). The Corinthians were slow to respond when sin was manifested in their camp and that was why Paul had to use harsh terms to wake them up (2 Cor 13:1-3). When we have Christ in our lives, we would do the right thing especially standing up for what is true and not to rationalise things away (2 Cor 13:8). If we do the latter, according to Paul, we have failed the test of our faith.
Like David of old, let's cry out to God:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps 139:23-24 KJV)
May we all, who confess the name of the Lord, pass the test of life.
Shalom
For one, it enables students to revise and review their work in order to keep abreast with knowledge and skills set that are essential for the next level of work. Often times, future topics/subjects to be covered build upon earlier materials learnt. Though exams may create stress and anxiety amongst students, it nonetheless provides the impetus for students to work on grounding their concepts. This is where they could turn to their peers or tutors for help. As they do so, they pick up the important soft social skills in communicating and relating with one another. It is also a good way for them to develop courage and initiative.
Secondly, examinations serve to provide feedback to teachers and students concerning their level of mastery where different subjects are concerned. Teachers often practised "positive marking", which means, rewarding students for the correct knowledge and skills they have displayed. So a well constructed test paper would be able to ascertain the amount of acquisition a student has attained. If it is a formative exam, it would allow teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly to help their students level up their knowledge and skills. However, some exams are placement exams which serves as an instrument to allocate students into different schools according to their ranking amongst their cohort; the PSLE being a case in point. In this regard, competition for choice schools are thus decided.
For the students, examinations do provide them with feedback regarding where they've gone wrong such as making a careless mistake or not understanding a topic well. Taken in the right spirit, it should spur a child to improve on his/her performance the next time round. Students often lament that they do not have the time to cover the topics for the exams due to their heavy commitment in CCAs or other activities. This is where they need to learn how to plan and organise their schedules and priorities, which again are essential life-skills.
Parents are keenly involved in their children's exams, especially in the lower levels of education. Some would even coach or provide tuition support for their children while others can only provide moral support. This is inevitable as human resource is a precious commodity in our country. In a meritocratic society, the attainment of a paper qualification assures one of a good well-paying job. Of course, some do buck the trend but in general, it is so. Little wonder then that tuition centres and private tutors are making big bucks. To emphasize more on continual assessment, many primary schools are doing away with exams for the first few years. This would entail carefully crafted rubrics (hard work by teachers) to gauge the performance of students in order to provide appropriate feedback.
We may not be taking exams now but the Bible exhorts us to conduct an examination on ourselves. And this is with regard to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 13:5). The Corinthians were slow to respond when sin was manifested in their camp and that was why Paul had to use harsh terms to wake them up (2 Cor 13:1-3). When we have Christ in our lives, we would do the right thing especially standing up for what is true and not to rationalise things away (2 Cor 13:8). If we do the latter, according to Paul, we have failed the test of our faith.
Like David of old, let's cry out to God:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Ps 139:23-24 KJV)
May we all, who confess the name of the Lord, pass the test of life.
Shalom
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Lord's Supper
Yesterday was the first Sunday of the month, and as is customary we celebrated Holy Communion in our church, Bethesda Cathedral. This is a love feast instituted by our Lord before His sacrifice on the cross. God knows that we're frail in our knowledge and understanding. That's why He gave us vivid symbols to remember Him by; where memory fails, the emblems of the bread and wine are there to remind us. The bread symbolises the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for humanity. Indeed, by His wounds (39 lashes on His back) we've been healed (made whole). The wine represents the blood of holy Lamb of God that was shed for the forgiveness of sins. As a church, when we partake of the bread from a common loaf it speaks powerfully of a meal that unites us together, inasmuch as the waters of baptism divides. In the latter, the division speaks of separating the old life (which should be buried) from the new life (symbolised through resurrection).
In partaking of the Lord's Supper, the Bible tells us that as often as we eat the bread and drink of the cup, we proclaim the Lord's death till He comes (1 Cor 11:26). And this we shall do, since the efficacy of the blood of Jesus will never wane. As long as humanity exists, they need to know the love of Christ. When Christ returns, a new world order begins and there is no longer a need to celebrate the Lord's Supper as we would be invited to a greater feast in heaven, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This was probably what Jesus alluded to when He told His disciples that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He drinks it anew with them in His Father's kingdom (Mt 26:29).
Some church members are not able to come to church for one reason or another on Sundays. These are usually people who are sick or immobile. Because of this, I had the privilege of ministering holy communion to three members of our church yesterday. This isn't the first time I've broken bread with them; it started a few months back. One was warded in the hospital while the other was at home. They were grateful for the gesture I had taken. I took the opportunity to pray for them, claiming the healing stripes of the Jesus as symbolised by the bread. One sister wanted the Lord to take her home as she was exasperated with living, having suffered so much physically. I told her that our times are in the hands of the good Lord (Ps 31:15). As long as He gives us breath and life, we continue to praise Him (Ps 150). I also told her that we'd all be receiving new bodies (even though we may not be healed on this side of heaven) and that our redemption and ultimate healing has been fully paid for by Christ. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
In partaking of the Lord's Supper, the Bible tells us that as often as we eat the bread and drink of the cup, we proclaim the Lord's death till He comes (1 Cor 11:26). And this we shall do, since the efficacy of the blood of Jesus will never wane. As long as humanity exists, they need to know the love of Christ. When Christ returns, a new world order begins and there is no longer a need to celebrate the Lord's Supper as we would be invited to a greater feast in heaven, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This was probably what Jesus alluded to when He told His disciples that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He drinks it anew with them in His Father's kingdom (Mt 26:29).
Some church members are not able to come to church for one reason or another on Sundays. These are usually people who are sick or immobile. Because of this, I had the privilege of ministering holy communion to three members of our church yesterday. This isn't the first time I've broken bread with them; it started a few months back. One was warded in the hospital while the other was at home. They were grateful for the gesture I had taken. I took the opportunity to pray for them, claiming the healing stripes of the Jesus as symbolised by the bread. One sister wanted the Lord to take her home as she was exasperated with living, having suffered so much physically. I told her that our times are in the hands of the good Lord (Ps 31:15). As long as He gives us breath and life, we continue to praise Him (Ps 150). I also told her that we'd all be receiving new bodies (even though we may not be healed on this side of heaven) and that our redemption and ultimate healing has been fully paid for by Christ. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
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