Back to 2018 Church Weekly List

TRUE LIFE BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
RELC Auditorium, 10.30 am

30 Orange Grove Road, down Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore 258352
Mailing Address: 1 Goldhill Plaza, #03-35, Singapore 308899
Email: admin@truelifebpc.org.sg; Website: http://www.truelifebpc.org.sg
(Ring Pastor Jeffrey Khoo 62561189 Anytime)

Vol. XV No. 53
30 September 2018
“The LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep SILENCE before him.”
15th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
IntroitInstrumental Ensemble
Call WorshipPastor Jeffrey Khoo
Opening HymnWe Plough the Fields
Invocation/Gloria Patri
Responsive ReadingPsalm 133
HymnA Psalm of Brotherly Love
Announcements
Music MinistryChildren’s Choir
FEBC Students
Deborah & Judith
Chinese Choir
Church & Youth Choirs
Offerings/HymnMy Wonderful Shepherd
Doxology/Pastoral PrayerPastor Jeffrey Khoo
Scripture TextGalatians 6:9–10
SermonDoing Good for Jesus
(Pastor Jeffrey Khoo)
Closing HymnLiving for Jesus
BenedictionPastor Jeffrey Khoo
OUT OF EVIL COMES GOOD

Rev Dr Timothy Tow

(Message at 1st Anniversary Thanksgiving of True Life BPC, 3 October 2004)

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Gen 50:20). Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him down to Egypt. But God was with him so he prospered in Potiphar’s house. When Potiphar’s wife solicited sex from Joseph but he refused because he feared God, Potiphar’s wife turned upon him and he was thrown into prison.

In prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s two servants, the Butler and the Baker. The Butler dreamed of a vine with three branches and how it brought forth ripe grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in his hand and he pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup. The three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh would restore the Butler. But the Butler clean forgot to say a word to Pharaoh for Joseph. Now the Baker dreamt of three white baskets on his head. On the uppermost basket the birds ate up all the bakemeats for Pharaoh. The interpretation: The three baskets are three days after which Pharaoh would execute the Baker.

After two years Pharaoh dreamt of seven fat cows and there came out of the river seven thin cows which ate up the seven fat cows. Pharaoh dreamt the second time and there were seven fat ears of corn. Then came up seven thin ears and ate up the fat ears. Joseph interpreted the two dreams are one. There would come seven years of great plenty to be followed by seven years of famine. Joseph rose to Prime Minister of Egypt. During the famine years Joseph’s brothers came from Canaan to Egypt to buy corn and Joseph revealed himself to them. He forgave them for their hatred against him in selling him down to Egypt.

For one year Life Church has cast True Life Church out over the question whether the Bible has mistakes as asserted by my two Assistant Pastors. I as Pastor declared we have a Bible 100% perfect without any mistake. Now the Life Church Session has admitted the Bible has no mistakes in a half-hearted confession, still lacking the Assistant Pastors’ word of apology.

John 7:1–5 says, “And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matt 10:36). This is one of Jesus’ famous paradoxical statements. Expanding on this statement, our Lord reiterates, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” What’s the reason? “For my Name’s sake.” The cross of Christ becomes a sword (Matt 10:34) that divides the closest affections of human relationships, yea, within even one’s own household. Within the same church!

Our Lord did not speak these things from theory, but from personal experience. He was rejected by His townsfolk, the people of Nazareth, when He first started out to preach. Remember how He said earlier: “No prophet is accepted in his own country.” (Luke 5:24). Now, as He comes to Nazareth again, most probably, He is taunted by His brethren, “for neither did His brethren believe in Him” (John 7:5). There’s a Chinese saying, “Difference in doctrine separates friends”, that elucidates. The prophet Amos says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). Jesus Christ is the light of the world. As light and darkness do not mix, so He cannot compromise with his brothers who are in darkness.

Reader, are you facing a similar situation in your own home, being misunderstood and persecuted by your parents, husband, wife, brothers, sisters, uncle, aunt? Our Lord who has tasted these sorrows for Truth’s sake is beside you, to comfort and to cheer. Let the Apostle Peter’s words conclude this brief study: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye … if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Pet 4:12–16).

In this separation of our now becoming a True Life Church, God has a higher plan. We are blessed with many new believers. And we see Christ’s Second Coming is so near that it may be in our lifetime. Let us hasten with soul saving and let those who should make a clean breast with God also hasten before it is too late. “Out of evil comes good.”

UPCOMING BIBLE CAMPS

YAF Retreat

God willing, there will be two camps in December, both at the Resort Lautan Biru in Mersing. Pastor will be the Lord’s messenger. The first is the Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) Retreat from 10 to 13 December 2018 (Mon–Thu).

The theme is “Money Matters in the Bible”:

  1. Moneymaking God’s Way (1 Tim 6:6–8),
  2. Money: Good or Evil (1 Tim 6:9–10),
  3. How to Get Money (Prov 14:23),
  4. How Not to Get Money (Prov 13:11),
  5. Savings and Stewardship (1 Tim 6:17–19),
  6. Financial Planning and Spending (Luke 14:28–30),
  7. Tithes and Offerings (Mal 3:8).

The Bible has lots to say about financial matters for our physical and spiritual enrichment. All are welcome. Register now (contact Herbert Goh).

YPF Camp

After the YAF camp will be the Young People’s Fellowship (YPF) camp from 25 to 28 December 2018 (Tue–Fri). The camp theme is “In but Not of the World” (John 15:19). We shall study the whole of John chapter 15 (5 messages). Our young people are under tremendous philosophical and psychological assault today at home and at school, at work and at play, through social media and social interactions. How do we spot the dangers that threaten our faith and how may we guard ourselves against them? Our Lord has much to teach us in John 15. All young people (age 13–30) are encouraged to attend. Registration will open soon (see Samuel Tan for more information).

TLBPC Camp

Let’s not forget our Church camp next year. The theme will be “God’s Family, Church Family, My Family”. There is a dissembling and disintegration of the family unit not only in society but also the church today. Why are there so many denominations? What are the differences and why are there such differences? Do they matter? As True Lifers we are members of a local church—True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church. As members, what are our duties and responsibilities? How can we function effectively and influentially as a local church family? Then there is our own personal family. Is a happy family possible in this sinful world? If yes, what must we do to have one? We are going to consider the biblical doctrine of the family in its various aspects.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph 3:14–21).

The camp will be held at the Royale Chulan Penang, 10–14 June 2019 (Mon–Fri). Pastor will be the camp speaker (DV). Camp registration to open soon.

1 Goldhill Plaza, #03-35, S(308899)
admin@truelifebpc.org.sg
6254 1287

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