Friday, February 18, 2011
Beyond The Walls of Jericho - Part 2
What we have learned beyond the wall of Jericho? The Lord's victory over Jericho exalt the Lord particularly in two ways, it exalted God's way and His ways are higher than our ways. If you are a military commander how do you attack Jericho? Probably send special military unit, commandos or gas poison there or other military strategies but what did God said? "This is My way try silence, march, shout and conquer".
Beyond The Walls of Jericho - Part 1
Beyond the walls of Jericho, beyond the walls of fortified city with strong warriors what's the lesson? The story of Jericho is a timeless witness and yet a persistent whisper bringing many lessons even in modern times. The big idea in the story is that to know your God, to know your place, to know your function, and to know your priorities.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
For God So Love The World - Part 2
Living forever without dying is vain if that is eternal life but in the Bible eternal life is eternity without stop, without halt, without pause so that you can be with God forever, minus God eternal life is just twilight.
For God So Love The World - Part 1
What is the good news? Ladies and gentlemen the good news is not just I got healed from my cancer. The good news is not the company gave me a raise. That’s good news but it’s not yet the good news. The good news in the scripture is not about you, the good news is about God.
What Do These Stones Mean - Part 2
We bask in sermons, conferences, in books that exalt the grace of God centering on us while the wonder of God’s grace is worthy of our attention. If that grace is disconnected from its purpose the sad result is self centered Christianity that bypasses the heart of God.
What Do These Stones Mean - Part 1
It was not Joshua’s idea to gather twelve stones representing twelve tribes of Israel as a memorial it was God’s idea. Are we prepared for a major adjustment in our lives? This message will call us to look at God instead of the blessings. God wants Israel to have a different mindset and heart for God’s glory and for His purpose.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
“What do these stones mean?”
By: Rev. Arnel Tan
“He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’S hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:24
It was not Joshua’s idea to make 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel as memorial for them and the next generation. It was God’s command to Joshua! Why would the Lord give a command like that? For what purpose will these stones serve? Stones are not eloquent yet they speak messages that will grow old with time. Other nations too are erecting their idols made of stone, what’s the difference?
Those stones were not there to be object of worship; they are to serve as reminders for Israel and their children. It’s not only for Israel and their children but the whole nation as well, that they may know that the Lord’s hand is powerful. And for those who know God already that they may fear Him more. Here we see a pattern that God wants His people to observe. First it is for them, that they may fear God. Second it is for their children that they may fear God as well. Third it is for the nations that they may know God by the reverence that God’s people show to their God.
What do these stones mean? It is a reminder for Israel’s FORGETFULNESS of God. It is a rebuke to SELF CENTEREDNESS, and it is a direct assault to whoever thinks that God is exclusively the property of one nation. Here the Lord unveils His design and desire that the focus should not be on self but rather on God. And that Israel must have a different mindset and heart set. A heart for God over and above His blessings is number one, and then a heart for the nations that they may see God’s glory and fear Him.
Those stones are virtual mirrors of man’s self centeredness. I must admit my concern and pursuit in life and my thinking stopped with my children. Seldom I see the needs of my community, seldom do I take seriously that the purpose of God’s extravagant grace is to extend His glory to others. “He did so that all nations of the earth might know….” This is a direct hit to my selfishness. Here God calls me and all of us to ask ourselves why are we blessed? And this should lead us to the answer so that the nations (others) not only our children will know the powerful hand of God.
“He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’S hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:24
It was not Joshua’s idea to make 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel as memorial for them and the next generation. It was God’s command to Joshua! Why would the Lord give a command like that? For what purpose will these stones serve? Stones are not eloquent yet they speak messages that will grow old with time. Other nations too are erecting their idols made of stone, what’s the difference?
Those stones were not there to be object of worship; they are to serve as reminders for Israel and their children. It’s not only for Israel and their children but the whole nation as well, that they may know that the Lord’s hand is powerful. And for those who know God already that they may fear Him more. Here we see a pattern that God wants His people to observe. First it is for them, that they may fear God. Second it is for their children that they may fear God as well. Third it is for the nations that they may know God by the reverence that God’s people show to their God.
What do these stones mean? It is a reminder for Israel’s FORGETFULNESS of God. It is a rebuke to SELF CENTEREDNESS, and it is a direct assault to whoever thinks that God is exclusively the property of one nation. Here the Lord unveils His design and desire that the focus should not be on self but rather on God. And that Israel must have a different mindset and heart set. A heart for God over and above His blessings is number one, and then a heart for the nations that they may see God’s glory and fear Him.
Those stones are virtual mirrors of man’s self centeredness. I must admit my concern and pursuit in life and my thinking stopped with my children. Seldom I see the needs of my community, seldom do I take seriously that the purpose of God’s extravagant grace is to extend His glory to others. “He did so that all nations of the earth might know….” This is a direct hit to my selfishness. Here God calls me and all of us to ask ourselves why are we blessed? And this should lead us to the answer so that the nations (others) not only our children will know the powerful hand of God.
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