Brother Sam takes a personal approach to Brother Singh's lesson on Wed. February 2nd. He shares what it is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10-11) Knowing someone is not a casual encounter. It involves sacrifices if, by whatever means necessary, to attain the resurrection from the dead.

Brother Sam takes a personal approach to Brother Singh's lesson on Wed. February 2nd. He shares what it is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10-11) Knowing someone is not a casual encounter. It involves sacrifices if, by whatever means necessary, to attain the resurrection from the dead.

Brother Desmond Singh asks awkward questions because he wants us to face the reality of our commitment to God. Of course, we are sincere in our worship, but do we truly desire more of Jesus? His nature is not what many religious movements portray! The authentic image of Jesus is this: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-4) Often, we worship a romanticized version of Jesus. We desire the attractive aspects of his nature that make us feel forgiven, secure, loved, and happy. Seldom do we identify with the cost he paid to redeem us.

The saints in Mississauga honor Brother and Sister Singh for their years of dedicated service to the Lord on our behalf. What maturity they have spurned in our lives! We hear Sister Singh's emotional testimony about how her pastor's ministry has impacted her life for a refreshing change. We also listen to contributions from his grandsons; two fine young men raised to honor God and their mom, under challenging circumstances. 

In this memorial service, Brother Singh shared bits of his most intimate correspondence with the congregation. Many of the letters come from non-Christians—people whose lives were touched by God through contact with one of His chosen servants. Let us never underestimate the effect of a genuine witness! Solomon stated, "How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." (Proverbs 16:16)

God sent the prophets of old because Israel was often in rebellion. Brother Singh has previously stated God uses imperfect men to deliver a perfect message. So, let us realize those called to the ministry struggle with their humanity as they endeavor to perform their office faithfully. If they hurt our feelings, ultimately, God has permitted it for our good. Yet, those God has elected and called accept the blunt, unapologetic delivery of the word of God because we understand how prone we are to pamper ourselves. Left to our own devices, we would never accept our cross of discipleship.

Because of the prevalence of iniquity today, God's children have lost understanding of the term blessings! The health-wealth & prosperity gospels have perverted our understanding of following Jesus. As a result, discipleship is a lost concept. Many actually view the lack of material abundance as disfavor by God. 

Although God's promises are not fulfilled in a single lifespan, they are nonetheless real. Millions of people claim those promises as a foundation for their faith yet "hold the truth in unrighteousness." To avoid hypocrisy, a committed Christian manifests a lifestyle approved by our heavenly Father. To "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise" requires a fundamental change in human nature, one initiated by the Holy Spirit.  Our two senior elders urge us to "redeem the time for the days evil days." Daily signs that we are nearing the end of the age occur before our very eyes, but are we preparing our hearts in order to endure to the end and thus be saved?

The most crucial doctrine we can learn from the Bible is a Godly lifestyle! Church attendance is meaningless if we do not practice a lifestyle pleasing to God. In this foundational lesson, Brother Singh reduces our facade of Christianity to a simple equation: "Are we doing the will of our heavenly Father?" Jesus said, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock" (Matthew 7:24). The house is a life based on the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus.

In this lesson, Brother Singh uses the history of his ministry to remind us of where God has brought us from. Our journey is long and arduous, from being lost in trespasses and sin to repentance, then being introduced to the truth of the gospel of the kingdom, and slowly and progressively towards holiness. It is through His ministry we are instructed by God, to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise redeeming the time, because the days are evil." The Internet is a tool meant to enlighten, not to damn us. It only becomes a source of our damnation because we misuse it.