To The Church In Pergamum

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

— Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV)

Sunday Sermon: To The Church In Ephesus

To The Church In Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

— Revelation 2:1-7 (NIV)

Sunday Sermon: In the control of the Holy Spirit

In the control of the Holy Spirit

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”

— Acts 9:31 (NIV)

How do we prove our fear of God?

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

“Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.”

— Genesis 20:11 (NIV)

• Genesis 22:12 Unquestioning Unreasoning - Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

• Can you hear God in joy? Genesis 22:1, 11 - “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

  “Here I am,” he replied.”

  But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

  “Here I am,” he replied.

• Can you hear others ? Genesis 22:7 “Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

  “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

  “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

• Can you hear God in pain? Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Sunday Sermon: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”

— Acts 9:31 (NIV)

“Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.

And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.”

— Genesis 8:8-12 (KJV)

Sunday Sermon: The Other Side of Worship

The Other Side of Worship

Charitable Deeds -

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

• Isaiah 1:11-17

• Matthew 25:34-40

• Hebrews 13:15-16

Exemplary Life Style -

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• Matthew 5:16

• Matthew 5:13

• John 1:4-5

• 1 Timothy 4:12

Unjust Suffering -

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

• 1 Peter 4:16-16

• Revelation 7:9-17

• 2 Tim 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”