22 April 2018 Speaker Rev Tan Soo Inn

Transcription

1 22 April 2018 Speaker Rev Tan Soo Inn For internal circulation only 1

2 I was recently asked to share my testimony. A friend wanted me to share the relevant parts to flesh out what she was teaching. Immediately my thoughts ran amok: But I m still struggling. Even today, I struggled. Even now. Especially now. How will my story even be credible like this? It s embarrassing. Shameful, even. There are still so many loose ends! Maybe I should just say no. Even in my most immediate response, my struggles with procrastination and perfectionism were showing. Sharing my testimony felt like an impossible task! Typically, testimonies one might hear are those of having overcome a particular sin, temptation, or area of brokenness. We have a tendency to prefer telling dramatic stories about dark, reckless pasts turned around at a sudden moment to grab the attention of the crowd and stir their emotions. The more dramatic the story, the better! As eager as we are (and should be) to showcase the victories that Christ has given us in our lives, the danger of telling only such stories is that those who are still in the midst of their struggles may feel that their stories cannot be shared not until they have tasted some recognizable victory. The ebb and flow of real-life faith is lost to desire for a neat, linear narrative. Getting Real This is the problem with the sensationalized, past-tense testimony. There is no room for everything that is not alright now. There is no room for real failures. It is hard enough to talk about our past brokenness. But this makes it nearly impossible to talk about current brokenness. We act like our struggles magically disappeared once we accepted Christ. The struggle is real. Temptation is real. Failure is real. Pain is real. Even for those who are actively walking with Christ. Anything less than the truth does a disservice to ourselves, to truth, and to each other. It sets up unrealistic expectations that none of us can fulfil. It attunes us to dismiss or minimise our current struggles. Broken but Faithful Wesley Hill is a theologian; he also describes himself as a gay, celibate Christian. Zondervan (who published his book, Washed and Waiting) describes his journey in the book s blurb as faithfulness in the midst of brokenness. That phrase has stuck with me ever since I first read it. Until we see God face-to-face and experience glorification, we are all still imperfect creatures who live in a sin-stained world. Whether we are same or opposite sex attracted, single or married, young or old, our Christian journeys are all stories of faithfulness in the midst of brokenness. Vulnerable Authenticity I wanted to share my testimony in order to foster vulnerability and authenticity in the group. When someone goes first, it gives others the permission to go second. It opens a safe space for others to share. But what is challenging about being vulnerable is that to do so, we 2

3 first need to confront those areas of brokenness in our own lives issues we would rather deny, ignore or downplay. I did not want to think about the ways I was currently procrastinating and pursuing perfection. I wanted the vulnerability and authenticity without the cost of my embarrassment and shame. But we need to admit that we all struggle with brokenness; and in that shared space, we find we are in good company. Life-giving Spiritual Friendships The context for grappling with our brokenness is Christian community. The practice of spiritual friendship has been neglected in our highly individualistic Christian culture. We need to reclaim this practice of deep, sacrificial relationships in the Body of Christ. In my ministry with young adults, I have observed that many do not know how to be genuine friends with one another they may have grown up in church with one another, but friendships remain at a superficial social level. Several have confided in me that they find it difficult to struggle in Carmel. Some find it easier to be real with non-christian friends than to share with Christian brothers and sisters the raw mess of their everyday realities. The United Kingdom has appointed a Minister for Loneliness, an acknowledgement of how pervasive loneliness is in society. Yet loneliness is rarely acknowledged by the faithful. To be lonely when alone seems acceptable. But to be lonely when surrounded by many feels even more isolating. We need friends who can struggle towards Christ together. I was eventually able to share my testimony because of friends who have been willing to journey with me as I wrestled with God and with myself, and who still continue to walk with me in the same direction. Already but Not Yet Our goal as Christians is to pursue God and grow more in His image and likeness. So our eschatology must be balanced we live in the tension between what theologians call the already but not yet. Because Christ has already come, we have victory over sin, disease and death. But because the kingdom has not yet come in its fullness, we will still sin, suffer, and die. While we have already been justified, we are still in the process of being sanctified and we are certainly not yet glorified! Our faith journey is most often gradual. Spiritual progress is won day by day and moment by moment. Although there is an already in Christ, there is much that is still not yet in our lives. One day, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, a day when the old order of things will have passed away, a time when He will have made all things new! We are all waiting for the end of this most spectacular story. Until then, our real-life faith is not just rainbows, sunshine and unicorns. So let s stop giving our testimonies like it is. Until then, we labour, live, and journey in hope. Marianne Wong 3

4 REGIONAL CONCERNS Pray for the complex situation in Syria with many countries involved in the conflict. Pray especially for the victims of the chemical weapon attacks and their families. Pray for the families of the 400,000 people who have died so far and for the 12 million people who have been displaced from their homes, including 5 million who now live outside Syria. The silver lining is that some of these people displaced to Iraq and Lebanon have become Christians. Pray that their faith will be strengthened. Pray for the elections in Malaysia that it will be a violence-free and smooth one. Pray that whichever party wins will govern Malaysia well so that the people will benefit from good governance. CHURCH CONCERNS OASIS Getaway at Muar: Our Older Adults will be away from April. Ask for God s blessings for safety in travel, bonding and fellowship with each other, and learning from the Desert Fathers. Equipping Sessions: Thank God for many opportunities and courses available to equip us for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up. Pray for these sessions: -- 1) Education for Christian Foundation (ECF)/BGST course, Biblical Archaeology and the New Testament (21, 28 Apr); 2) CG Leaders Equipping Session on Discipleship of Young Adults (28 Apr); 3) Creative and Experiential Worship training/workshop for speakers Dr Lim Kar Yong, Dr Danny Ng & Rev Tan Soo Inn, and Ps Flora Chew respectively. Mandarin Worship Service: Next Sunday, 29 April is designated as Evangelistic Sunday. Pray that members and regular worshippers will bring their non-believing loved ones, neighbours and friends to hear the gospel. Pray for God s Spirit to draw people, including new visitors who have yet to believe, to Himself and to convict them of the need for the Saviour. Pray for the upcoming Parents Day Celebration on 7 July, that many non-believers will attend. Pray for wisdom and understanding in preparing for the event. OMM: 1) Ps Lim Kheng Hai and Gek Lang thank God for leading them to serve in SIM (Serving in Missions) East Asia and for the support given by Church Missions Board. Pray that during the phasing-in period, they would get to know their fellow co-workers well and the missionaries whom they are ministering to. Pray for good health and wisdom to "Serve the Lord with gladness" (Ps 100:2). 2) Good Kids Preschool Teachers Visit (4 11 May): Thank God for Carmelites who will host the team from Nongwai, Thailand. Some of the teachers are non-believers. Pray that this trip will open their minds and hearts to the love of God. Pray for meaningful and enjoyable week-long stay in Singapore. 3) Pray for Heir the pastor of San Patong Community Church in Nongwai Village. He has started a cell group on Wed nights with 3 families in the village. Pray also for Tom and Am who lead a cell group for young couples at their home. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life. (Oswald Chambers) Come, join our prayer warriors in Room #03-06 on Wednesday, 7.45pm! Next Wednesday (25 April) Chairperson/Devotion: Ang Lee Luang 4

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES What do you do with the first 15 minutes directly after formal worship service? Join fellow brothers and sisters after the service to begin an informal time of worship. What to expect: Discuss the sermon, connect about your week, get to know others, eat delicious cookies, drink coffee or tea Details: Today (22 Apr), meet directly after each service in the fellowship hall. Look for friendly faces to show you the tables! Best part: All are welcome! Thank God for the 21 brothers/sisters of different ages (a good number) who have signed up so far. We are praying for 7-8 more persons to join us, Spouses are welcomed too. We will take turns to canoe from 9.15 to am on idyllic water. Non-canoeists can enjoy fellowship over coffee/tea and snacks sitting on mats onshore. At am, we will set off for an easy and scenic 3.5 km boardwalk-forest trail jaunt, chit-chatting along the way. Optional lunch at pm follows after that to round off a morning of needful exercise and wet fellowship. Please let Jeffrey Hong know if you plan to come. Sincere condolences to Samuel, Shireen and Shandon Chen. Samuel s mother was called home on Wednesday, 18 April God s Purpose for His World: Christians, Creation and the Renewal of All Things A BGST Conference feat. Professor Rikk Watts and much more! Date: Fri 15 June - Public Holiday (9am to Zion Bishan B-P Church 4-DAY FLASH SALE (Apr 20-23): $45/person (For 2 or more tickets only. Online payment required when registering). Regular Ticket Price: $70/person OR $50/ student or NSF* (*undergraduate students and below) Registration and Details: bit.ly/bgstcreationcare Date Speakers Topic Text 29 Apr Rev Oh Boon Leong Strong Faith in Turbulent Times: Habakkuk - How Long, O Lord? Hab 1: May Rev Daniel Chua God s Answers to Our Questions Hab 1: May Rev Peter Teo Making Wise Choices Hab 2: May Rev Oh Boon Leong Strong Faith in Turbulent Times Hab 3:1-19 5

6 NEXT SUNDAY 29 April 2018 MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 1ST SERVICE MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 2ND SERVICE Ushers Men s Group Tsame CG Refreshment Worship Leader Congregational Prayer Musicians Legacy CG Dn Jerry Ng Eld Bruce Lockhart Week 5b Band Welcome Corner Tan Mun Kiat Dn Jonathan Lum/Sunny Yap Scripture Readers Cynthia Wee Tan Gek Kee AVA Crew Michael Teo/Alan Tan Low Ek Yong/Tan Chay Hoon/ Andrew Ong Please make all cheques, including those for the Development Fund, payable to Mount Carmel BP Church Ltd (payee name must be stated on the cheque). Please note that NO receipts will be issued for cheques received by the Church below $5,000 except upon request. All Offerings and Pledges to Mount Carmel BP Church Ltd are not tax-deductible. 6

7 Luke 9: The call to follow Christ is not an easy one. 2. That is why there are times that the Lord has to endorse who Jesus really is. 3. Jesus is truly the God s Messiah sent to rescue us from sin, Satan and death. 4. Our primary response to Jesus is not to enjoy spiritual experiences with Him. 5. Our primary response to Jesus is to hear and obey Him. 7

8 Welcome! A warm welcome to all newcomers and visitors with us today. We hope that you will have a meaningful time of worship this morning. Do join us for tea at the fellowship hall after the service Worship Leader Dn Adrian Wong Speaker Rev Tan Soo Inn Prayer Rev Oh Boon Leong Scripture Readers Cynthia Wee Goh Swee Hong Ushers Suyen & friends Grace CG Refreshment Bt Batok CG AVA Timothy Chiam Fiona Chee Daryl Tan Loh Kum Hoe All hail the power of Jesus name How great is our God Gloria Patri Colossians 2:6-15; 3:1-11 Amazing Love One Day (When we all get to heaven) There is a higher throne Choir Presentation: Sing Unto the Lord Medley Doxology Luke 9:21-36 The Transfiguration For a digital copy of this bulletin: Jesus is Lord Three-Fold Amen wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ Weekly pdf For recording of past sermons, visit 8 Worshippers are invited to come forward to the front pew for personal prayer with our elders/pastors.