Jesus, Word of God

Jesus, Word of God

Dearest Family members,

It is indeed a wonderful blessing to be able to meet together with all of you to worship the Lord as one family, in one Spirit. I really consider myself blessed by God to have such good and loving family members who have given me so much. You have really helped me grow and learn in a positive and nurturing environment from childhood until now and I just want to take this opportunity to say I really appreciate it and I love you all.

This week, our text is taken from the book of John, Chapter 1:1-18. The apostle John was reputed to be the disciple who was closest to Jesus, who knew Jesus best, and his gospel in particular gives us a very personal picture into the life and person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Reading from vs.1,

 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

The apostle John starts his story of Jesus from the beginning, the very beginning, before the whole world or anything in all creation had been made at all. Yet from the beginning, Jesus was there – He was with God the Father, He was God the Father. John very interestingly refers to Jesus as the Word, and indeed, in a sense, we are what we speak. Our words show other people what is in our hearts, what we think and feel. Throughout His life and ministry on earth, we see God’s Word perfectly personified in the person of Jesus. He neither did nor said anything on His own, but obeyed what His Father told him, following His will completely and obediently. We too are called to be “Words” of Jesus, living life in a way that personifies God the Father and Jesus Christ to others around us, in what we say, and what we do.

Let’s continue reading…

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Dearest family, all things were made through Jesus and all things were created for Him! Therefore, we too, you and I, are created for Jesus! This is very important and we really need to understand this. The ultimate purpose of our lives is to know Jesus, to love Jesus, to serve Jesus, and it is only when we move towards this realization that we can begin to find true meaning for our existence. Every morning, when we wake up or when we look in the mirror, tell ourselves – I am made for Jesus.

 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

In God’s hands is the life of every creature, and the breath of all mankind… Our every breath, every thought and every emotion is only possible because of the life given by God. All these we take for granted as we wake up each day, but who we are, how we feel, and what we do, is all because of the grace and love of God. Dear family, we must remember that it is God who gives us life. Every breath that we take is precious. Being alive at all is precious. Even pain, disappointment, sorrow, are all part of being alive, of existing and living on the earth. As long as there is life, there is hope for a better tomorrow - a desire to wake up and see another day.

However, the opposite of life is death, and many people think that death is the end, where the dead simply cease to exist, with all memories, deeds and feelings fading away into nothingness. What a relief it would be if it were that simple, but the Bible speaks otherwise. The Bible speaks of a terrible, dark place where the dead are tormented in the depths of the earth, a place of unceasing pain and anguish, a place where there is no comfort, no sleep, no light, no water, no rest. Imagine a meaningless existence where there is nothing to look forward to, only terrible thirst, endless horrendous torture in the hands of demons and intolerable pain in burning fire going on and on and on forever and ever. How truly terrible this death is – to face such a fate it would be better to have never existed.

However, there is hope for us in Jesus. John declares:- In Jesus is life, and that life was the light of man. This life that John speaks of is not just our normal everyday life, but a perfect life, a life to the full. It is a life of complete satisfaction, contentment, rest and joy, full of meaning and purpose. It is a most beautiful life where there is no pain, no sorrow, no anger and no darkness or evil at all. There is only wonderful love and joy and peace, with the deep satisfaction of knowing God, worshipping God and serving God. Yet, it is not enough just to call Jesus Lord, for Jesus said “Not everyone who calls me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in Heaven.” To follow Jesus is to be the Word and not just say the Word. How do we follow the will of God? Read His Word regularly and try our best to follow it. Maintain a close relationship with Jesus, always seeking to know what His will is, and try our best to practice love and patience throughout our daily lives. As long as we remain in Jesus, we will have life, and we will receive eternal life one day. 

In closing, let us have a brief recap of the lessons we have learnt today

-         We are called to be “Words” of Jesus, living life in a way that personifies God the Father and Jesus Christ to others around us, in what we say, and what we do.

-         Every morning, when we wake up or when we look in the mirror, tell ourselves – I am made for Jesus

-         Read God’s Word regularly and try our best to follow it.

-         Maintain a close relationship with Jesus, always seeking to know what His will is

-         Try our best to practice love and patience throughout our daily lives.

God bless you, beloved family. May we obey Jesus and all join our wonderful Master in Heaven together. Love, Jason

Five Powerful Benefits of Knowing the Word of God

Five Powerful Benefits of Knowing the Word of God

This morning, CDC was privileged to have Mr. Jason Fong, the General Secretary of Scripture Union, speak on the Benefits of Reading God’s Word. His sermon was based on 5 main points which are summarized as follows:-

1) God’s Word is necessary to sustain Spiritual Growth.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:2

In this verse, the apostle Peter likens the Word of God to “pure spiritual milk”. In Hebrews, the Word is likened to “meat”, in Matthew, as “bread” and in the Psalms, as “honey”. Indeed, God’s Word is the food that we need for our spirit man to grow up. Without the Word, we cannot grow, and in the end, we cannot live. Therefore, we need to read the word daily, to feed and sustain our spirits, just as we need to eat daily to feed and sustain our natural bodies.

2) God’s Word sanctifies us from all impurities.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth John 17:17

There is a saying that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” If we fill our minds and thoughts with the things of the world, we will become conformed to the world and its ways. If we fill our minds and thoughts with the Word of God, we will be conformed to the ways of God! Therefore, we need to memorize and meditate on the Word of God, which will purify our minds, and make our hearts and thoughts acceptable to God. The speaker also particularly warned us against the “little foxes that ruin the vineyard”. A little unclean thought here and there can very quickly lead to complete ruin. That is why the apostle Paul exhorts us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.

3) God’s Word strengthens our faith in Him

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

As we read God’s Word and meditate on it, we become more and more aware of who God is, and how great and loving and faithful He is. As the Word becomes more and more abundant in our hearts, we will begin to know the truth and the truth will set us free! In a storm at the lake of Galilee, Jesus’ disciples were terrified and feared that they would all die, but Jesus calmly rebuked the storm, and all was calm. As we face the storms of life, storms of sickness, doubt, financial crisis and the like, we who have the Word of God firmly entrenched in us will stand firm, like a powerful anchor, because we know that if God is for us, nothing can be against us.

4) God’s Word provides guidance in our lives

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path Psalm 119:105

Jason Fong told us a story of John and Grace who were seeking God’s will in whether they should be married. So, one day, John went back, flipped his Bible open, and saw “Grace be unto you!” Overjoyed, John immediately called Grace to tell her the good news….

However, the guidance that the Bible provides is not like that. It is not a flip open and point “mini mini miney mo” magic book to immediately help us make all our decisions. Instead, the Word of God gives a clear principles on how we should live life. It teaches us the type of characteristics and qualities that please God, and as we read the Word of God, we will begin to know the God of the Word. 

Based on the principles stated in the Bible, we will then have a solid foundation to seek the will of God in prayer, and make our decisions accordingly.

5) God’s Word gives us victory over the devil.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 2 Corinthians 10:4

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17

Finally, the Word of God, is the sword of the Spirit, the mighty power by which we can have absolute victory over the devil. Three times the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, and three times Jesus answered not by human might or power but by the Word of God!

Therefore, in conclusion, it is so important for us to have a daily regular Bible Reading, and inculcate the practice of memorizing and meditating upon God’s Word. Then only will we begin to grow in our spirit, be sanctified, be strengthened in our faith, walk by God’s principles, and finally, overcome the world and the devil.

God bless,

Jason