But Servants

We long for a perfect world. And yet everywhere around us, it is clear that that our world is not perfect. We live in a fallen world – where our dreams are often not realized, where pain and suffering is a reality, and where injustice is more common than integrity. And that is especially clear as we consider the reality of death, which robs us of our loved ones, destroys our dreams, and devastates families. The wonderful news of Hebrews 2-3 is that not only a perfect world possible, but it is a certain reality for all who trust in Christ as their king.

Introduction: Hoping for a better world

The purpose of Hebrews

1. Jesus has been crownedKing of the world to come (2:5-9)

a. The rule of man (2:5-8)

b. The perfect man (2:9)

2. Jesus suffered to secure our place in the world to come (2:10-18)

a. Our pioneer (2:10)

b. Our brother (2:11-13)

c. Our deliverer (2:14-16)

d. Our priest (2:17-18)

3. Jesus’ faithfulness assures our future to come (3:1-6)

a. Consider his faithfulness (3:1-2)

b. Consider his glory (3:3-4)

c. Consider his sonship (3:5-6)

Conclusion: Hold fast your hope!

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 29th April 2018.

Introduction: Hypocritical Christians

Context

1. The Shape of Godliness (2:1-10)

a. Older Men (2)

b. Older Women (3)

c. Younger Women (4-5)

d. Younger men (6)

e. Christian Leaders (7-8)

f. Slaves (9-10)

2. The Motivation for Godliness

a. The appearing of grace

Grace that saves

Grace that trains

b. The appearing of glory

c. Sound teaching

3. The Goal of Godliness

a. Adorning the Gospel

b. Hypocrite or Herald?

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 10th December 2017.

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

Who goes to heaven? What will it be like? Will I get there? Or not? In Numbers 26-30, Israel stands poised at the edge of the promised land, ready to attempt their second entry. We too are on the edge of the promised Land of heaven. Will we be like the first generation of Israelites who missed out, or the second generation who successfully entered?

1. Introduction: Preparing again!

Context

2. Another Census (26:1-65)

Application

3. The Daughters of Zelophehad (27:1-11)

Application

4. Joshua Succeeds Moses (27:12-23)

Application

5. Offerings (28:1-29:40)

a. Daily, Weekly & Monthly Offerings (28:1-15)

b. Holy Day Offerings (28:16-29:40)

c. Application

6. Vows (30:1-16)

Application

7. Conclusion

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 19th June 2016.

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

Is there such thing as an unforgivable sin? Is there a sin that God cannot, or will not forgive? A sin that will prevent me from getting to heaven? Will I do it? Have I done it? How will I know if I have? And if I have, is there no return? To answer those questions, we turn to Numbers 15.

Introduction: The Unforgivable Sin

Context & Structure

1. Pleasing Offerings (1-21)

a. A word of comfort (1-2)

b. A pleasing aroma (3-12)

c. Gentiles Included (13-16)

d. Offering of “First dough” (17-21)

e. A Permanent reminder (15, 21)

2. Unintentional & Deliberate Sins (22-36)

a. Unintentional Sins (22-29)

i. Done without knowledge (22-24)

ii. Forgivable (25-29)

b. Deliberate Sins (30-36)

i. Done with a “high hand” (30)

ii. Unforgivable (31)

iii. The Sabbath breaker & Israel’s sin (32-36)

3. Reminder Tassels (37-41)

4. Applying these Laws in the Light of Christ

a. Christ’s Pleasing Offering (Heb. 10:13-14; Eph. 5:2)

b. Our pleasing offering (Rom 12:1-2; Phil 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5)

c. First fruits (Rom. 11:16; Jas. 1:18; 2 Thess. 2:13; Rev. 14:4)

d. The Unforgivable Sin (Matt. 12:22-32; Heb. 10:26-31; 1 Jn. 5:16-17)

e. Avoiding the Unforgivable Sin

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 8th May 2016.

In our world it is always tempting to live for the moment. To seek short term pleasure. To live for honour and prestige and success. And to use the world’s twisted means to get them. Because in the short term – those things promise joy and satisfaction and society’s praise. But Esther 5-7 warn us - there has already been a dramatic reversal in world history. So that how we live now, will determine if we’re on the right side of history in the end.

Introduction: Being on the right side of history

The Story So Far

1. Preparing for the day that will change history (5:1-14)

a. Esther’s wise & humble plan to save her people (5:1-8)

b. Haman’s arrogant and evil plan to destroy Mordecai (5:9-14)

2. A Hidden Hand Turns the Tables (6:1-11)

a. Planning vs. Coincidence

b. Desiring vs Deserving

c. Shame vs. Honour

3. The Fall of Haman (6:12-8:2)

a. A fearful feast (6:14-7:6)

b. An ironic end (7:7-10)

a. The reversal complete (8:1-2)

4. The Ultimate Reversal

a. The shame of the cross

b. The victory of the cross

b. Are you on the right side of history?

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 20th November 2016.

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

Are you prepared for persecution? Throughout history, God’s people have found themselves on the end of brutal persecution by the Kingdoms of this world. What will help us to stand firm that day comes? What will help us to endure? To not give up our faith in Christ, when everything else is against us? When all seems hopeless, Daniel 7 shows us we need a bigger perspective.

Introduction: Surviving Persecution

Context

1. Vision 1: Beastly human power (1-8)

2. Vision 2: The Heavenly Court (9-14)

a. The Ancient of Days (9-11)

a. The Judgement of the Beasts (11-12)

b. The Son of Man (13-14)

3. The Interpretation of the Vision (15-28)

a. Request & Summary (15-18)

b. Fourth Beast - Part 1 (19-22)

c. Fourth Beast - Part 2 (23-27)

4. The Son of Man receives the Kingdom

Mark 1:14-15 8:38-9:1; 13:26; 14:62, Acts 1:6-11

5. Implications

a. God is still in control

b. God will one day bring decisive judgement

c. Persevere while we wait for Jesus to return & give us the Kingdom.

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

I wonder what you think of the concept of an angry, jealous God. For many people in our world - the idea of a jealous, avenging, angry God is a repulsive concept. And so in many churches the theme each Sunday is God’s love, and blessing, and forgiveness. But words like anger, wrath and vengeance are banned. And books like Nahum – that insist on the jealous, avenging, wrath of God are left aside. But could the wrath of God actually be good news? In Nahum 1, we see that the wrath of God is an essential part of the good news of Jesus, and without it, there is no gospel, and no heaven.

Introduction: What do you think of a God of wrath?

Background and Context (1)

   793-753BC:  Jonah preaches & Ninevah repents (2 Ki 14:25, Jon. 3:10)

   722BC: Assyria destroys the Northern Kingdom

   663-612BC: Nahum preaches judgement.

1. The LORD is a God of wrath (1-5)

a. Jealous (2)

b. Avenging (2)

c. Slow (3)

d. Just (3)

e. Powerful (3-5)

2. The LORD’s wrath makes a complete end of his enemies (6-11)

3. The LORD’s wrath is good news of comfort for his people (12-15)

2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Conclusion: What do you think of a God of wrath?

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

The wallet is a window to the soul. What you do with your money reveals what you love with your heart. What you treasure will reveal what you love, for you will give to what you love. If we have really treasured God's kingdom we will give to it. If we have really appreciated God’s generosity to us, we’ll be generous to others. God’s desire is that we would willingly, joyfully and wholeheartedly serve him, not just with hearts and our minds, but  with our hands in generous giving towards his Kingdom.

Introduction: Where your treasure is…

Context

1. Giving wholeheartedly to God’s temple (1-9)

a. David collects (1-2)

b. David gives (3-5)

c. The assembly gives (6-7)

Implications

2. Why God is worthy of wholehearted worship (10-19)

a. Everything comes from God (10-13)

b. Being able to give is a privilege (14-16)

c. Generous giving flows from a changed heart (17-19)

3. Worshiping the Lord in gladness (20-25)

a. Joyful Sacrifice to the LORD (20-22)

d. Willing Submission to God’s King (23-25)

Application: Who will give themselves?

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/

Every book you’ll ever read on leadership, whether Christian or secular, will emphasise that a crucial part of leadership is to know where you are headed. If you know what the vision is – and you believe in it – then you’ll throw yourself into something – in a way that you never will if you don’t understand the point of what you’re doing. When it comes to a vision – it seems that in general – the bigger the better. The problem in many churches is that instead of being enthralled by God’s glorious vision, we give ourselves to the puny visions we find around us in the world, so that we don't rise up and serve God’s great vision with all our strength.

Introduction: A vision worth getting behind?

Context

1. The purpose of God’s glorious house (22:2-5)

2. The builder of God’s glorious house (22:6-13)

a. A King of rest

b. Enabled by God

c. Wise & Obedient

d. Courageous

3. The majesty of God’s glorious house (22:14-16)

4. Get to work on God’s glorious house! (22:17-19)

5. Servants of God’s glorious house (23:1-26:32)

a. Who

   The Levites (Chapter 23)

   The Priests (Chapter 24)

   The musicians (Chapter 25)

   The Gatekeepers (26:1-19)

   The Treasurers (26:20-32)

   Military Divisions (27:1-15)

   Leaders of Tribes (27:16-34)

b. What we learn

i. David arranges God’s servants according to God’s choice (23:2; 24:3; 25:1)

ii. Numerous servants each with their own unique role to play

iii. God’s presence can only be approached according to his procedure

iv. God’s continued praises are to resound in his presence

v. God’s people are to give generously to the work of God’s house

6. Building God’s Greater & More Glorious House (Ephesians 2:11-22)

What we pray for reflects a lot about what we value. Often, in the time when we’re young in our Christian faith, our prayers mostly revolve around our immediate needs. But there is something profound about listening to the prayers of a mature Christian. What do your prayers say about you? Do you pray, “Your Kingdom come”?

Introduction: What do you pray for?

Context

1. Building God A House? (1-6)

2. Building David’s House (7-15)

a. What God has done (7-9)

b. What God is continuing to do (8-11)

c. What God will do (12-15)

   i. Davidic descendent

   ii. Build God’s Temple

   iii. Be called the Son of God

   iv. Be loved by God forever

   v. Rule God’s Kingdom forever

d. God’s promises fulfilled

3. Responding to God’s great promise (16-27)

a. Praise (16-22)

b. Prayer (23-27)

c. Your Kingdom come

This sermon was preached at St Mary's Cathedral, KL on 31st July 2019.

Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants

Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqjVIVOus62ejMbg/