1 April 2018 Speaker Dr John Ng

Transcription

1 1 April 2018 Speaker Dr John Ng For internal circulation only 1

2 He is not here: for he has risen! (Matt 28:6) At the turn of the century, Frank Morison set out to prove that the story of Jesus resurrection was only a myth. His probing led him to discover the validity of the biblical record in a moving, personal way and he ended up becoming a Christian and writing Who Moved the Stone? The book defends the resurrection and continues to be printed and circulated today. In 1998, Lee Strobel, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and a graduate of Yale Law School, published The Case for Christ: A Journalist s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Strobel, formerly an atheist, was compelled by his wife s conversion to Christianity to refute the historicity of Jesus resurrection. He was unable to do so to his satisfaction, and he then converted to Christianity as well. His book became one of the bestselling works of Christian apologetics of all time. The resurrection of Jesus is the key event of the New Testament, mentioned throughout its pages. All four Gospels report the resurrection event. In Matt 28:6 the angel declared He is not here: for he is risen! Mark 16:6 reports, Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him, and Luke 24:46 says, Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day. If Jesus is not raised then our faith is in vain. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of the Christian faith. As the Apostle Paul writes, And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Cor 15:14). If there is no resurrection, Christianity is a hoax, and we are wasting our time. Strobel says that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best attested event of the ancient world. The Apostle Paul also asserts the historicity of the resurrection and says that it is an irrefutable fact. Nearly 2,000 years ago, in 1 Cor 15, Paul devotes 58 verses to the resurrection and says that if a person doesn t believe in the resurrection then he is not a Christian. That s how important the resurrection was and is (15:1-2). The resurrection of Jesus was so real and true to Paul that it changed his life from one who had violently opposed Jesus to one who died violently for Jesus. This being the case, just what is the significance of Jesus resurrection? Think with me about these five aspects of the resurrection of Jesus: Firstly, the resurrection is one major piece of evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Paul proclaimed that Christ is and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 1:4). Secondly, Jesus resurrection represents an assurance that we can have forgiveness from our sins. Paul wrote, If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Cor 15:17). In other words, if Jesus is raised, 2

3 sins are forgiven when we believe? the gospel (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Thirdly, the resurrection tells the world that God s kingdom is ruled by a living Saviour. Sixty years after his death, Jesus appeared to John on the island of Patmos and said: I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever (Rev 1:17-18). Fourthly, Jesus resurrection proves that physical death is not the end of life. God, who is the giver of life (1 Tim 6:13), has the power to resurrect the human body. Christ s triumph over the grave is God s promise to us that we too shall be raised. Fifthly, the Lord s resurrection is a preview of the ultimate victory of Christianity over all its enemies. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is depicted as a lamb that had been slain, but was standing again (Rev 5:6). Garden Tomb, God raised Jesus from the dead (Matt 28:16). There is yet a third garden in Rev 22:1-5, where all God s people will gather one day, each with a resurrected body. What a glorious day that will be! In The Garden I come to the garden alone; While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear, falling on my ear; The Son of God discloses And He walks with me; And He talks with me; And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there; None other has ever known. Ps Lim Kheng Hai One day in March 1912, Austin Miles was inspired by the story of Mary s going to the garden to visit the tomb of Jesus (Jn 20:1-18). Miles imagined that he was present with them in the garden witnessing the wonderful event. He then realised that it is daily communion with the Lord that makes up the Christian s life. At the moment of inspiration, he wrote a poem. That same evening he composed a musical setting, and gave the world a well-known song, In The Garden. There are three important gardens in the Bible. In the first garden, the Garden of Eden, God condemned Adam and Eve to death for the sin they have committed (Gen 3:1-19). In the second garden, at the 3

4 CHURCH CONCERNS Today is Easter/Resurrection Sunday! We celebrate and rejoice with Christians around the world. May we take time off from the busyness of daily activities to recall that historic day and its relevance to our present lives (Matthew 28). May we be inspired to live a victorious life, full of love, joy, peace, and hope, because our Lord and Saviour lives! May we be fervent to obey Christ s Great Commission to share His good news of salvation to people in our circle of influence, near and far. May we have authentic renewal of faith in, walk with and serve our Living God! Thanksgiving for families and individuals who take their steps of faith this morning through: English congregations - Infant Baptism (4), Baptism (3), Reaffirmation of Faith (3), Transfer of Membership (5); Mandarin congregation Baptism (4), Transfer of Membership (3). Pray for wisdom and strength to be upon parents, that they may nurture their children in godliness. Pray for newly-baptised, reaffirmed, and transferred adults and youths, that they will grow in their faith, walk and service for the Lord, and work towards maturity in Christ. SEMS 10th Anniversary (1 Apr): Thanksgiving for God's blessings, wonderful grace and abundant love for SEMS. Pray for Ps Joyce Goh (speaker), Lay Tin and Wan Quan Sheng (who are sharing testimonies), and each item of the special programme. May all glory be to our Heavenly Father! Whole Life Inventory: Praise God that 57.7% of Carmelites have taken the WLI. However, the number required for a meaningful analysis is 70%. Thank God that Focus on the Family is generous to extend the closing date to 9 April. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move more Carmelites to participate (bit.ly/mtcarmelwholelife). Vacation Bible School One Way (30-31 May): Thanksgiving that a team of youths and adults have committed to serve in VBS. Pray for good sign-ups from children in our church, neighbourhood, CWK, and friends/relatives of members/worshippers, etc. PRAY FOR THE CHURCH Pray for Carmelites, worshippers, family members and friends who are unwell or in pain in body, mind or spirit that they will experience God s grace, peace, healing and be able to recuperate well from the medical/surgical procedures done. Pray for non-believers to be receptive to God s Word and to decide to profess their faith in God during their illness and recuperation. Pray for the medical/ surgical teams to have wisdom and diligence, and for caregivers, e.g. spouses, parents, siblings, to have strength and grace in their roles. Pray for expectant mothers in our congregations and circle of influence, that they will have good health, safe pregnancy, and smooth delivery in due time. Pray for protection from the viruses and pollution of all sorts, e.g. air, water, noise, etc. Pray for supportive spouses, family members and colleagues in workplace. I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26) Come, join our prayer warriors in Room #03-06 on Wednesday, 7.45pm! Next Wednesday (4 April) Chairperson/Devotion: Rev Peter Teo 4

5 We are switching use of Fellowship Hall with Bible Church today because they need the baptism pool in our hall. Please use the Grace Fellowship Hall for all activities today (1 Apr). Thank you. Please note that the Holy Communion for the month of April will be served on 8 April. CMfC is looking for a few transcribers for Vol II of Men for Christ: Living Out Our Faith. It's hard work but satisfying to see the final product. We pay a love gift of $100 per article transcribed. Interested? Please let Jeffrey Hong know. Date Speakers Topic Text 8 Apr Eld Bruce Lockhart Harmony & Peace in Church of Christ Phil 4: Apr Rev Daniel Chua Contentment in Christ Phil 4: Apr Rev Tan Soo Inn Free Topic 29 Apr Rev Oh Boon Leong Strong Faith in Turbulent Times: Habakkuk - When Faith is Tested Hab 1:1-11 5

6 NEXT SUNDAY 8 April 2018 MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 1ST SERVICE MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 2ND SERVICE Ushers Susannah Siew & Team Alpha CG Refreshment Worship Leader Congregational Prayer Musicians Beng Guan/Jimmy/June Albunus Ng Rev Peter Teo Week 2 Band Welcome Corner Tan Choon Kiat Dn Jonathan Lum/Sunny Yap Scripture Readers Karen Er Cynthia Wee AVA Crew Peh Chee Siong/Peter Go/ Sam Kong Choy John Tan/Francis Tay Please make all cheques, including those for the Development Fund, payable to Mount Carmel BP Church Ltd (except 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 is not tax deductible. 6

7 1 Cor 15: 3-13, 29-34, Introduction 2. The Resurrection: A Portrait of Love (1 Cor 5: 3-13) 3. The Resurrection: A Transformation of Life (1 Cor: 15: 29-34) 4. The Resurrection: A Harbinger of Hope (1 Cor 15: 50-58) 5. Conclusion: I am Coming Home! 7

8 A warm welcome to all newcomer and visitors with us today. We hope that you will had a meaningful time of worship this morning. If you would like to know more about us, please join us for tea at the fellowship hall after service. Worship Leader Dn Jerry Ng Speaker Dr John Ng Prayer Eld Yeo Siew Yam Scriptures Readers Joyce Go Emma Chai Ushers Albunus Ng & Team West Coast CG Refreshment Ayer Rajah CG AVA Yu Ta Wen Lee Sin Yee Chan Wen Hui Christie Phua Thanksgiving Flowers Trina & Kenneth Albert & Lina Eio (25 Mar): Alan & Rumi Cyndi & Louis Goh For digital copy of this bulletin: Christ The Lord is Risen Today Gloria Patri Sun Rise Resurrection Jesus We Celebrate You Victory You laid aside Your Majesty Worthy is the Lamb Crown Him with Many Crowns Doxology 1 Corinthians 15:3-11; 14-19; 32-34; How Relevant is the Resurrection for Today s V.U.C.A. World? Because He Lives wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ Weekly pdf For recording of past sermons, visit our website at Three-Fold Amen Worshippers are invited to come forward to the front pew for personal prayers with elders/pastors. 8