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The Silver Scrolls are two small amulets made of real silver. They were discovered in 1979 at Ketef Hinnom, an archaeological site southwest of the Old City of Jerusalem. The major importance of these scrolls is that they are the oldest copies of scripture, older than the Dead Sea Scrolls.
They contain a variation of the Priestly Blessing, found in Numbers 6:24-26. The scrolls were dated paleographically to the late 7th or early 6th century BCE, placing them in the First Temple period.
The Priestly Blessing is a Hebrew prayer found in Numbers 6:22-27. The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
In the teachings of Jesus, wine is often used as a symbol of joy, celebration, and abundance. In the New Testament, Jesus is recorded as turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana, demonstrating his ability to perform miracles and his desire to bring joy and celebration to people's lives.
Wine as a symbol of Jesus blood
Additionally, in the Last Supper, Jesus used wine as a symbol of his blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. This act of drinking wine together became the basis of the Christian practice of Communion or the Eucharist.
New wine as new and revolutionary teaching
Jesus used the metaphor of new wine to describe the new and revolutionary nature of his teachings and mission. In the Gospels, Jesus says, "No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:22, NIV).
In this metaphor, the new wine represents the radical nature of Jesus' teachings and the transformative power of his message. Just as new wine cannot be contained in old wineskins, Jesus' teachings cannot be contained within the old religious systems and traditions of his time. His teachings emphasized love, mercy, and compassion, and challenged the religious and social norms of his time. He invited people to embrace a new way of living, one that focused on a personal relationship with God and caring for others.
Did Jesus drink wine?
It is worth noting that wine was a common beverage in Jesus' time, and it was often consumed in moderation as a part of everyday life. While the Bible does not provide a definitive answer on whether Jesus drank wine, it is possible that he did, in moderation and in the context of cultural practices of his time.
Dr Lim Kean Ghee came to CGMC to deliver his sermon titled "The God Who Answers Prayer" based on 1 Samuel 1:1 - 28. It was Mission Week and he was an invited speaker.
We had a small group discussion on the sermon. My short presentation is contained in the video above.
1. Principle 1: Focus on Relationships v19 “So then, let us aim for harmony in the church…”
Harmony is not when there is no argument. Harmony is when people are pleased with each other and agree with each other, when people relate well with each other.
Relate: Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. To relate is to understand the other person. The first step is to be a great listener.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19 NLT)
2. Principle 2: Invest In Others v19 “So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”
Building each other up involves investing in others. God gave all of us 3 types of resources: Time, Energy, Money.
We start by choosing 1-2 person whom you are close to, someone we can relate, and meet regularly to talk about 3 things: Personal life, Spiritual life, Organizational Life.
3. Principle 3: Encourage Others v20 “Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat…”
The focus of this verse is not about eating, but about not tearing apart the work of God. The Work of God is faith building. We do so by encouraging others.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Adapted from Sermon by Rev Jonathan Chan on 11/6/22.
The Kingdom of Heaven is here, but not yet is a common expression of the state we are at the moment on earth. Jesus introduced the spiritual Kingdom of Heaven which resides in our hearts (body, mind and soul).
When a person sins against God, the Holy Spirit convicts him. Realising the sin committed the person mourns, repents and seek forgiveness.
God will bless and comfort the sinful person who mourns about his inapt actions, and true repentance will bring about happiness. Happiness then becomes joy, which has a deeper sense of fulfilment and contentment, when he is liberated from the sin which he had committed.
Bible verses:
James: 1:2-4
1 Peter 1: 6-9
John 15:11
Acts: 13:52
Hebrews 12:2
When a believer sins there are consequences or punishments which may be meted according to moral, civil or God's Mosaic laws. The Holy Spirit convicts a believer of wrong doing and continues to counsel him so as to bring the believer back to walk in the righteous, straight path again.
The believers' only God is truly loving and ever faithful and will forgive the sins of the believers when they repent and turn away from their sins and repeat them no more.
God forgives and saves, judges and rewards the believers. There is no condemnation to hell for the believer as he is saved when he puts his faith in Christ, obeys his commands and live according to God's purpose and will. His God's loves and keeps His promise of every lasting life for all who believe in Him.
Cell group discussion on 18th May 2022.
References:
Romans 14:10-12
1 Corinthians 3:11 - 15
Galatians 2:16
The Passion of Christ
This is a
picture of the passion fruit flower. This flower is also known as the “flower
of five wounds”. The purple flower is believed to resemble the wounds of Jesus
Christ.
The Passion
of Christ includes the time period from the night prior to the crucifixion of
Jesus until his death upon the cross. Much emphasis has been placed on this
time period to emphasize the sufferings of Jesus leading to his death and His
ultimate sacrifice for sin. This time period is traditionally marked by His
time in the Garden of Gethsemane, and includes His prayers, betrayal by Judas
Iscariot, abandonment and denial by His disciples, arrest, trials, beatings,
and period of time on the cross.
Jesus died
on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. His resurrected body was
witnessed by many people, including His disciples. Jesus is alive today.
Before
Jesus ascension to heaven he spoke of His Great Commission to His disciples. Jesus
said in Matthew 28: 18-20. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the
very end of the age”.
Today I have decided to change the title of this blog to TO BE. I hope to be more refined in my blog posts to cover areas like Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
I should be writing on ways to become a better person, a successful person and a more caring person. Hope these writings will benefit so young people.
Defining oneself with a vision and a mission and that is having a Purpose in Life. As for a Christian like myself the purpose in life is to become Christ like. Not easy at all but attainable with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Is There Life after Death?
Hello. I am Dr Leong a consultant
chest physician.
Is there life after death? This is a very pertinent question, as death
is the only thing that is guaranteed in life.
Many of my patients are concerned but will not bring up the matter to
discuss.
Investigating this subject often
leads to the discovery of spiritual truths.
I found my answer in the Bible and the answer is unique.
Today I wish to share with you my
answer.
Let’s begin.
IS THERE LIFE AFTER
DEATH?
The answer is Yes.
HOW DO I KNOW?
I have seen people in trance. I have seen a person in his 50’s dance, summersault and behave like a monkey. I have seen people walk on fire. I have seen people having their mouths, bodies pierced by sharp objects. While in trance, a person is influenced and empowered by spirits.
I have heard of ghost stories from close friends who had seen and heard the voices of spirits.
There are published photos of ghosts which had been scrutinised and certified authentic.
There are people who had near-death experiences describing out of body experiences. They recall hearing and seeing doctors and nurses doing resuscitation on them.
There are clairvoyants who are able to communicate with spirits.
While in school, I experienced the ouija board where invited spirits can move objects on the board and answer questions.
I hear of exorcism by priests. I have heard how a person’s life has been turned around after the departure of evil spirits.
The supernatural exists whether we want to believe it or not. Medical science has difficulty disproving it. The Bible says spirits exist.
WHAT IS LIFE AND WHAT IS
DEATH?
A person is alive when he is breathing and has a heartbeat. And a person is considered dead when the heart has stopped beating and he is no longer breathing.
HOW DID LIFE COME ABOUT? DID SOMEONE CREATE LIFE?
I am inclined to believe that man is created by a superior being.
The Big Bang theory attempts to explain the creation of the universe and evolution. But the theory is not able to explain how humans get their first DNA sequence and how the first living cell came about.
I believe man is created by God for eternity. Yes, created for eternity.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF
LIFE ON EARTH?
Most of us journey through life with the purpose of sustaining our own lives. We work hard, make money to purchase what we need like shelter, food, security and health. With extra money we purchase what we want too.
My purpose in life is to worship and maintain a relationship with God while also caring for the earth and fellow human beings by using my talents and gifts. In turn, God will provide the ways and means of sustaining my life.
God loves us. We need not worry too much about the future as He is in control of our final destiny.
IS LIFE BOTH PHYSICAL AND
SPIRITUAL?
I have both a physical body and a spirit living inside me. When I die it is my physical body that goes into decay, whereas the spirit lives on. When Jesus, my saviour, comes the second time my spirit will inherit a new resurrected body.
2000 plus years ago, Jesus was crucified on a cross and died. On the 3rd day he rose from the dead. Jesus conquered death. He was seen with a resurrected body that can go through walls. He was on earth for 40 days before his ascension to heaven.
Jesus sets the eternal hope for believers. A future without pain, sorrow and disease.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE
MOMENT OF DEATH?
My body will fail and stop working one day from illness, a fatal accident or old age. My soul and spirit will separate from my body and live on. They will be lodged in a place known as the “realm of the dead” which is neither heaven nor hell. While at this place the experiences between Jesus believers and non-believers are different. One is pleasant, like in paradise, while the other is not. My spirit will await the Rapture or the Second Coming of Christ when I shall be restored with a glorified resurrected body.
HOW IS SIN AND SPIRITUAL DEATH RELATED?
Sin came about because the first man disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. When a man with unforgiven sin dies, his spirit is destined to die. However, hell was initially created by God for Satan and the fallen angels and not for man.
God loves us so much that he continues to try all possible ways to win us back to him. His way of saving us is spelt out in the Gospel message. Jesus conquered death and gives the hope of eternal life to all who believes in Him.
My sins are forgiven when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. This gift of love, grace and mercy from God is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. This gift is free. Salvation is not a reward earned by doing good or charitable works.
IS ETERNAL LIFE A CHOICE
THEN?
Man’s eternal destination is either heaven or hell. This destination decision is made while we are physically alive on earth. There is no second chance for the spirit to change its mind after physical death.
God seeks justice for all the wrongs I have done in my life. However, He is graceful and merciful and allows me to choose my destiny when I am alive. By putting my faith in Jesus, he forgave my sins, and justified me into righteousness. He redeemed me from spiritual death.
His work of redemption for believers was completed at the Cross. He carried our sins, sacrificed himself at the Cross and cleansed us of sins. He has justified us into righteousness, freeing our spirits from death.
HOW WILL SOMEONE BE
JUDGED AT THE END?
Bodily resurrection will occur for both believers and non-believers of Jesus some time in future. Then the final judgement follows.
The believers in Christ will have their names written in the Book of Life. Their judgement will be on good works and rewards but not spiritual death. The new heaven and new earth will be revealed.
Those whose names are not in the Book of Life will undergo the Great White Throne judgement when the Second Death will be announced. Hell is envisioned like a lake of fire.
WHAT DID I DO TO FOLLOW
CHRIST?
I first studied intently about
Jesus, looking at the evidence of his death and resurrection. When it became
clear that the Gospel story is true, I did the following:
Acknowledge myself as a sinner
deserving to go to hell.
Believe that Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, came to die for my sins.
Confess my sins and believe that
Jesus Christ is the only saviour.
Understand I am saved by His grace
and not by works.
Believe by faith in the
resurrection of Jesus Christ who is alive today.
And receive him into my life and
let him be my Lord and Saviour.
WHAT SHALL I DO BEFORE I DIE?
Be sure I am saved by continuing to
believe in Jesus Christ
Obey God and be ready and live a
holy life.
Worship God and accept His
salvation with gratitude.
Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
to the world.
Carry out God’s will by serving others in need.
WHAT IS THE ADVICE FOR ANY
PERSON PREPARING FOR THE FINAL EVENT?
Make sure one is saved for eternity
and not fear death.
Do away with anything that promotes
mental images of scary things e.g. horror movies, occult practices, etc.
If fear persists, get professional
help.
Draw up a will.
Consider advance planning and have
advance directives.
Meet up with family members and friends.
The saved have the Holy Spirit, comforter, in their hearts. God has assuring words and is faithful. Understand that God is sovereign and in control of everything.
THANK YOU.
This is how I view life and death as
a doctor after discovering my faith in Jesus.
Thank you.
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Bible References:
Summary of my thoughts yesterday during a Christian meeting.
Mankind was predestined to be with God before the Creation to have a deep relationship with Him, to praise and worship Him.
The Fall separated Him from mankind. He chose the people of Israel to lead and to re-establish the relationship with Him, within the framework of certain Laws He pronounced. But the chosen people keep on breaking the laws of engagement. Animal sacrifices were then required for the atonement of the people's sin which was not a perfect redemptive plan.
Jesus Christ the saviour of the world was the answer to God's redemptive plan, the ultimate sacrifice to be done once and for all humankind. The Gospel story of grace and mercy being told by believers In Christ, is the "I stand at the door and knock ...." . Anyone who welcomes, receives and follow Him are His elected and they become the children of God. The elected have the Holy Spirit indwelling in them to guide them to purity of heart and holiness in life.
Our current journey continues with a deeper understanding and relationship with God, on going sanctification until we meet Him face to face.
