Do All In The Name Of Jesus Christ

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 (KJV)

The Ascension of Jesus Christ

It is not often that we hear a sermon preached on the ascension of Jesus Christ and what it means to Christians. 

The following sermon on the ascension of Jesus Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, would enlighten us: "that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:18b - 23, NKJV)

With this revelation of us as being seated together with Jesus Christ in the heavenly places as joint heirs with Him, we would walk, pray and live from a position of victory instead of despair and desperation.

As per the blurb on "A Higher Realm" sermon:-

"The Church has primarily focused on the Gospel’s core elements: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and rightfully so. However, there’s another crucial dimension often overlooked – the higher realm Christ died for us to enter. Without grasping this elevated dimension of living, our spiritual walk and warfare will lack effectiveness."

Click here for A Higher Realm as preached by Pastor Sabrina Low of Cornerstone Community Church.

Click here for Cornerstone Community Church.

Grow In Knowledge and Revelation of God Through Leviticus

Most believers would struggle with reading and understanding the full significance of the book of Leviticus. 

Also, it is not often that you would hear a sermon that focusses on Leviticus.

After clearing the initial illustration of what a law concerning "theft" looks like, you will find the following sermon more and more revelatory concerning the heart of God.

In particular, you will learn that Leviticus :

a) Shows us how to live a holy life so that God may dwell among us; and 

b) Shows us that God is Holy so that we may worship Him who is worthy of our full allegiance.

Click here for The Law Of Our Holy God (Part 1) - Rev Dr Chua Chung Kai 

Trusting Faith

During the recent weekday churchwide prayer meetings in City Harvest Church from 29 January to 2 February 2024 via Zoom, Rev Dr Kong Hee taught on how to grow from faith to faith.

The following is an excerpt on "Trusting Faith" by Rev Dr Kong Hee for your edification.

"Trust is of a higher level than belief.

Belief is a confidence in what God can do; trust is a commitment to who He is (Psa. 34:8).

A person's belief can fail and be shipwrecked (cf. Luke 22:32; 1 Tim. 1:19), but trust is eternal (Psa. 125:1). God wants to perfect your faith to such a high level that you could be like Job -- "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15, NKJV).

Consider Shadrach, Meshech, and Abdednego:

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your majesty, that we will not  serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV).

What made Shadrach, Meshech, and Abdednego heroes of faith was not their belief, but their trust in God. The only reason God allows you to go through hardships is to purify and strengthen you, and to bring you closer to Him.

God wants to bring you to a high level of trust because He has greater blessings in store for you. Not merely temporary ones, like bringing your prayer requests to pass, but blessings that are more permanent and far-reaching than what you can ever imagine!"                                                                                                 

Revelation of God's Forgiveness

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not new. Neither are the promises of God as contained in the truthful, life-giving and Spirit-empowered Word of God. 

While we may be all too familiar with God's Word, it is always a good time for us to pause and re-examine our lives in the light of God's Word so that the issues of our heart could be brought to the Light of Christ and be dealt with for our good.

For today, let us consider forgiveness and on the flip side of it: unforgiveness.

We are ever so grateful that if we confess our sins to God that He is ever willing to forgive us. "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 1 John 1:9 (AMP)"

But, there is further insights to the Word of God. Hear then the Words of Jesus Christ:

"For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14 (AMP)"

"But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15 (AMP)" 

"Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. Mark 11:25 (AMP)"

When we have a revelation that forgiveness is possible and God is willing to forgive us, we could then by the grace of God forgive others, as well. When we follow human reasoning rather than divine edict, we will struggle to forgive others their trespasses. And, truth be told, so many Christians (not to mention pre-believers) are under the bondage of unforgiveness for the longest years yet.

It is time to shift away from the offence, wrong, hurt and injustice that we have suffered, and fix our vision on the Word of God and let it take deep roots in our heart so that we could become the doers of God's Word like a wise man who build His house upon a rock.

Our unforgiveness does not impress God one bit. Hear then this parable from our LORD Jesus Christ on "The unmerciful servant" in Matthew 18:21-35(NIV) by clicking here.

Is forgiveness achievable? Yes, if we have a revelation of God's forgiveness and do what He says regarding our need to forgive others in return. May the LORD Jesus Christ grant us the grace to forgive others completely and resolutely just as He has forgiven us. 

Revelation of God's Glory

"Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 

Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone."(Matthew 17: 1-8; AMP)

In this account of Jesus' transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in a totally different light. Peter had wanted to build three shelters: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Moses represented the law, Elijah represented the prophets, but Jesus is at a matchless level as the Son of God, and God the Father spoke from the cloud in an audible voice from the cloud that, "“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”"

In the account of Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist receive a similar revelation of Jesus' standing before God the Father. "After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” (Matthew 3:16-17; AMP)

And, in the Book of Revelation, John the disciple has many revelations of Jesus' glory and power such as the following:

“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness). I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].”

Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:12-14; AMP)

We may not be direct witnesses of Jesus' glory, but we have read and envisage His glory from the Word of God. With this revelation of Jesus' glory, our worship of Him would take on a whole new level as we see Jesus for who He is truly and humble ourselves under His Mighty Hand.

As we come into His Presence, let us truly honour Him with awe, reverence and devotion to live a life of loving God and people that pleases Him while using the gifts and talents that have been entrusted to us.

And, when it comes to corporate worship, our revelation of Jesus propels us to be a true worshipper and no longer a bystander because we get it. Yes, Jesus is the big deal and in a league of His own. It is time to extinguish idols such as a favourite influencer, actor, singer, basketball player, baseball player, soccer player, etc. Our worship of Jesus is in direct proportion to our revelation of who Jesus is.

"For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11; AMP)

And, it is also time for us to tune down on social media, and spend more time in the Word of God and the things of God as opposed to the things of this world.  

Making Sense of What Is Happening In Gaza

The importance of history is invaluable as we seek to understand the present events such as the current war in Gaza in the light of past events.

Beyond historical facts, we could also view the events revolving around Israel with a Biblical perspective regarding the land of Israel and the Jewish people.

The following YouTube clip is both insightful and enlightening in addressing the following questions:

1. Who/ What is Hamas?

2. Why is Hamas so intent on destroying Israel and the Jewish people?

3. What is the history of the Palestinians and the land of Israel?

4. Why are so many Americans youth and young adults supporting the Palestinian cause today?

5. How might any of this fit into Biblical prophesy about the End Times?

Click here for Israel, Hamas, and End Times | Ezekiel 38 | Gary Hamrick