On Sunday, 26th of August 2012, Geenu and I, attended City Harvest Church at Suntec Convention Center. It was the last service of this year at Suntec convention center after which the service will be conducted at Singapore Expo Hall 1 for next 6 to 8 months due to renovation at Suntec city.
After beautiful Praise and Worship, Pastor Kong gave the message on Foundational truths of Christianity from Hebrews 6:1-2. He mentioned Christian life is like building construction.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If our foundation is established on Jesus, who is our Rock, we can boldly face the struggles. For any building to withstand earthquakes, the foundation should remain strong.
Hebrews 6:1-2
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
There are following foundations from the above verse:
1. Repentance from dead works
Repentance is the starting phase of Christian life. When you repent, there is an inward change of mind resulting in outward change of behavior/lifestyle.
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Psalm 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
2. Faith towards God
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Faith requires God’s thoughts, visualizing God’s visions and dreams, believing God’s promises and speaking God’s Word.
3. Doctrine of Baptism
Romans 6:4-5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Galatians 3:27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
4. Laying on of hands or being baptized with Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
5. Resurrection of the dead
All our life is preparation for Jesus’ second coming.
Philippians 3:10-11 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
2 Timothy 2:11-12 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
6. Eternal Judgement
1 Corinthians 3:12-14 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
After building foundation truths, we must go onto perfection. Perfection is maturity, to be more like Jesus.
After service, we did some shopping and later had lunch from “The Loving Hut” at Suntec Tower 3. We had olive fried rice and Pasta. After lunch, we boarded bus 16 to upper east coast road for Malayalam fellowship at Emmanuel Assemblies of God. The service started at 3 pm with beautiful Praise and Worship by brother Geogy. Anointing of God was rich during worship. Later Pastor Roy Verghese from Victory Church gave sermon on ” Cross over to the other side”.
Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
There are 3 reasons to cross over
- Renews your relationship of love for Jesus Christ. Relationship means talking with other person, inquiring about another person, knowing more about other person.
- Refreshes us: If we don’t spent time, we cannot be filled with fresh Word of God.
- Recharges you: God’s looking for people who spend time with Him
In life, we all face storms, but the question is how do we handle storm. During tough times, we must ask am i becoming a better person or a bitter person? Is the problem bigger than God or God is bigger than our problems? How do you react in the storm? God’s thinking about our destiny. We must ask God, what are you teaching me in the storm?
- God does care for you when you’re in storm.
- We must exercise faith during storm
- We must acknowledge the greatness of God
After service, we came back home at around 6 pm. Vimal and his wife Serena were there at home when we arrived. We had a good talk and later had dinner at Pizza hut.
Praise God for a wonderful day.