Nuances

1. Works of the Law vs Works
2. Righteousness of God vs Righteousness from God
3. Faith vs Works Sight

A New Thing

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Be Still

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Joy Has Dawned

Joy has dawned upon the world
Promised from creation
God's salvation now unfurled
Hope for every nation
Not with fanfares from above
Not with scenes of glory
But a humble gift of love
Jesus, born of Mary

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable
Hands that set each star in place
Shaped the earth in darkness
Cling now to a mother's breast
Vulnerable and helpless

Shepherds bow before the Lamb
Gazing at the glory
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story
Gold, a King is born today
Incense, God is with us
Myrrh, His death will make a way
By His blood He'll win us

Son of Adam, Son of heaven
Given as a ransom
Reconciling God and man
Christ, our mighty Champion
What a Saviour, what a Friend
What a glorious mystery
Once a babe in Bethlehem
Now the Lord of history

Trusting God When Your Faith is Put to the Test

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." - Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)

"Do we love God's gifts more or are we wholly devoted to God?"

"God desires the heart of the minister more than the success of the ministry."

- Pastor Oliver Chia

The Nature of Knowledge

"And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God..." - Matthew 22:31 (ESV)

Not 'have you not read what was written' or 'have you not heard what was said', but 'have you not read what was said'. In other words, what is written (i.e. Scripture) is God's Word.

Knowledge is not by skepticism, relativism, empiricism or pragmatism, but revelation.

Grace On Display

"Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love." - Jonah 2:8 (ESV)

God's grace is not only on display when He forgives sin; it's also on display when we forgo sin.

Intentionally Intrusive, Christ-Centred, Grace-Driven, Redemptive Community

Reality of Grace

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)

"Intentionally Intrusive, Christ-Centred, Grace-Driven, Redemptive Community" - Paul Tripp

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Reality of Sin

"For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." - Hebrews 10:26-31 (ESV)

Creation and New Creation

The Bible begins with creation (Genesis 1 and 2) and ends with new creation (Revelation 21 and 22). The fall (Genesis 3) and final judgment (Revelation 20) are thus located within the wider narrative of creation and new creation. In other words, the story of the Bible is not about us, but about the whole of creation (which, of course, includes us)!

Dr Christopher Wright on the Mission of God

1. God's whole mission is for God's whole church.
2. The whole church's mission includes every church member.
3. Every church member's mission includes the whole of life.

Lord of History

"But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'" - Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV)

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14b (NIV)

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." - Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)