It's Not the End Yet!

Ps Melinda Song

People are intrigued by the mystery of the unknown future. Hence the popularity of astrology, fortune-telling and horoscopes.

So it is no surprise that Doomsday prophecies garner great interest among people, especially Christians when they involve the end of the world and the second coming of Christ.

But belief in end-time predictions seems to require a faith with a very short memory–you have to forget all the previous times the end was predicted that proved wrong in order to get excited about the most recent time-table. It is like the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Let us take the example of the latest end-time prediction of the world ending on 23 September 2017. If David Meade had been right, all of us would not be here today.

If you remember, in my last message I spoke of my desire for TOP to be a Spirit and Truth Family Church that honours equally the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Word of God. As such it is my duty as your Pastor to address this issue that keeps cropping up to see how it aligns with the Word of God and how we should respond to it.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

On 16 September 2017, the headline on the front page of Fox News read, "Christian doomsdayers claim world will end next week."

It's under the heading "Science"!!! When you click on it, the article headline proclaims, "Biblical prophecy claims the world will end on Sept. 23, Christian numerologists claim."

How common are predictions that the end is at hand?

Wikipedia lists over 170 different religiously motivated predictions of the end of the world.

·     The first recorded one dates back to the year 66 and ancient Judea.

·     They seem to be a mostly Protestant pastime.

Why this prediction now? Wasn't there another big "apocalypse now" prediction a few years ago? 

Scholars say doomsday predictions cluster around certain events — the Great Plague of the Middle Ages, or the "harmonic convergence" of the planets, or the year 2000.

And there has been a long string of predictions in the last two decades.

1.   American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that the Rapture and Judgment Day would take place on May 21, 2011. When that did not happen he recalibrated the date to five months later on October 21, 2011 which was also proven wrong.

2.   Then came the blood moon prophecy which is a series of apocalyptic beliefs promoted by Christian ministers John Hagee and Mark Biltz, which state that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse is a sign of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28, 2015. Again nothing happened.

3.   The most recent prophecy is by conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed Christian numerologist David Meade made international headlines over his claims that the world would end on 23 September 2017.

His comprehensive theory for the end times based on a mixture of supposed biblical studies and science centres around a non-existent planet Niburu which, he claimed, is due to collide with planet earth.

The suggestion was widely rubbished by experts including NASA with a spokesman saying: 'The planet in question, Niburu, doesn't exist, so there will be no collision.'

Clearly the end has been postponed again as we're all still here, but Meade – whose motivations must remain mysterious – has had an enormous amount of media attention.

Now is he claiming people misunderstood his theory, that Sept. 23 was merely a day of “signs.” He told Washington Post that “the world is not ending, but the world as we know it is ending. A major part of the world will not be the same the beginning of October.” His astrological omen interpretations are now meant to be figurative and foreboding omens to a “beginning of the end” (i.e., the tribulation) and the date was pushed back from a very specific “September 23” to “beginning of October.”

Doomsday prophets ALWAYS do this. Failed doomsday prophets don’t repent – they just dig in, change the date, and turn it into a metaphor.

A LOOK AT DAVID MEADE & HIS CLAIMS

1.   He claims to be a Christian numerologist. Rev. Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today, “There is no such thing as a legitimate ‘Christian numerologist.’”

Numbers do have meaning in Scripture but there are no secret numerical codes that require a profession called “Christian numerology.” No seminary nor do any professional accredited institutions offer such a degree.

Whenever someone tells you they have found a secret number code in the Bible, everything else he or she says can be discounted.

There are numbers in the Bible but they don’t require a numerologist.

·     The number one denoting the singleness of the Creator as a unified being: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

·     The number three is used to signify perfection in the Trinity as well as completion: Jesus’ ministry on earth lasted three years and his resurrection occurred three days after his death.

·     The number seven—likely the most well-known of biblical numbers—is also used to show divine perfection and completeness. This can be seen in God’s creation of the world in six days and decision to Sabbath on the seventh as well as numerous Old Testament rituals and celebrations.

God uses numbers in Scripture as a means to communicate with his people, they aren’t to be put to inappropriate use, such as making wild claims and trying to predict the end of the world using numbers and planetary motions as Meade and others have.

2.   Meade doesn’t have any biblical training yet he is discussing biblical matters of profound significance and making predictions about events of global importance without any real authority on these topics.

3.   There’s also another strange detail that those touting the September 23 theories have somehow missed: The same celestial arrangement has reportedly already happened in 1827, 1483, 1293 and 1056 — all in the month of September.

BUT WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE RETURN OF CHRIST?

Mark 13:32-37, NKJV

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

As we look at events in the world today, we may wonder how history is going to turn out. We may even be confused and troubled about end times, ethnic hatreds, volatile economies, international strife, and the warnings of doomsayers may feel very unsettling.

Jesus' words in Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Lk 21:5-36 speak of these issues. The whole conversation started off with the disciples' comments on the solidity and significance of Jerusalem's major urban structure, the temple (Mk 3:1). Jesus replied by noting how temporary such structures actually are (13.2). Later, in a quiet setting (13:3), he entered into far more detail about the end of history as we know it and the stresses believers would undergo (13:4-37).

Rather than avoid he topic, he spoke of:

•      deception, wars, earthquakes, and famines as the beginning of troubles (13:5-8).

•      how his followers would experience testing as his witnesses before courts, rulers, and. kings (13:9-11).

•      how family members would turn against each other (13:12, 13).

•      how distress and deception would eventually reign, but such times would be limited by God (13:14-25).

•      his eventual return for his own (13:15-31).

•      the fact that no one knows precisely when he will return–and thus the need for his followers to be watchful and dutiful in serving God (13:32-37).

The fact that Jesus says no one knows the day or hour of His return means that it's utter foolishness to predict a specific day. Jesus knows the signs of his coming are sure, but the timing is not (Mk. 13:32,33,35,36).

End-time date-setting does not align with the Bible so we should stop predicting specific days or entertaining them.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE?

Before the Second coming of Christ and the end of the age, Jesus will first come for His Church in what is often called 'The Rapture' that could happen at any moment, when hundreds of millions of Christians are suddenly and stealthily removed from the earth without any definite signs.

Verse 33 – Take heed, watch and pray

Verse 35 – Watch

Verse 37 - And what I say to you, I say to ALL: Watch!”

1.   Since Jesus could come back for His people at anytime, we should always live with readiness to meet the Lord. We must be alert (not sleep) and watchful or vigilant, and not grow complacent thinking that the Lord is going to tarry long.

ARE YOU READY?

2.   Jesus is coming back for a radiant bride so let us say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12,13).

1 John 3;2-3), NLT

² Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. ³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 

3.   The Master also left his property, his authority, and his work in the hands of his servants. He has given to his servant “each his work” so we should labour with all our might to make an impact for Him in our assigned tasks, since we have only one life to reach our generation.

We are not discounting biblical prophecy. We need to be students of Bible prophecy which should motivate us to live godly lives and do all that we can to reach our generation while we can.

THE NEED FOR SPIRIT AND TRUTH IN THE CHURCH

The apostle John in his first epistle tells us not to believe everything: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). We need to be discerning concerning things we choose to believe in.

We can’t just believe everything in the media; instead, we must think both carefully and critically about what we read, see and hear. We need to consider our sources and, when situations like this arise, be careful to seek out answers from people who actually know what they’re talking about. If those matters are of a spiritual or eternal nature we should look to the Bible for our answers.

Acts 17:11, NKJV

¹¹ These [Jews in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Gullibility is not a virtue. We need to develop a Christian mind that is able to carefully filter the beliefs and ideas being presented to us. Apply wisdom and cultivate a spirit of discernment.

It’s not crazy to look at world events and ponder whether the signs mentioned in the Bible are, in some form, coming to fruition; but it is bizarre and dangerous to start setting dates in violation of the very scripture you claim to hold dear.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Therefore, as another end-of-the-world prophecy fails, we ought to remember that:

A. WE STAND IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard" (Col 1:23).

The spirit of fear is rampant around the world and we must keep our hearts and minds fixed on God's goodness and His triumphant love. Faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6). Jesus is coming back for us.

B. JESUS IS RETURNING FOR A RADIANT BRIDE

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Eph 5:25-27).

It is to the Father's glory that the Bride of Christ is ready for the return of the Bridegroom. He is looking for a Bride that is held in honour (radiant), free of moral faults (without stain), not old and tired (without wrinkle), blameless (holy), and free of any blemish (without moral blame or rebuke). UNTIL we demonstrate this reality, we have work to do. Let us pray that we would become a Bride that is fitting for the King.

C. THE LOST NEED TO BE SAVED

"Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' He said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news' " (Mark 1:14-15)!

We must never forget what we were commissioned to do — preach the gospel of the kingdom of God so that the lost will be saved and empowered for eternity. Every day until Jesus returns provides another opportunity for those in darkness to see the light. Let us use this time wisely as good stewards of this good news.

Every time end-of-the-world predictions resurface in the media, it is important that we ask ourselves, "Is this helpful? Is peddling these falsehoods a good way to contribute to meaningful, helpful discussions about the end times?"

Failed date-setting has discredited Christians many times before. It's irresponsible for any Christian to tell an unbeliever when Jesus is coming back or when the world will end. Dates and deadlines don't have the power to save souls—only the gospel can do that.

Our job is to preach the good news. All the storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, riots, political tension, terrorism and nuclear attacks have put fear and anxiety in people's hearts today. But the answer to all this bad news is not a doomsday prediction; the answer is Jesus, who gives us supernatural peace so we can live securely in a chaotic world.

We should tell about the miracle of Calvary and remind them: "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). Hundreds of thousands of people die every day without Jesus, whether or not He returns in their generation. This alone should motivate us to avoid foolish distractions and false prophecies so we can get busy with the task of evangelism.

One of the signs of Jesus’ return is that the gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth.

D. WE ARE TO DO BUSINESS UNTIL HE RETURNS

"The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:20).

" So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’" (Luke 19:13, NKJV).

Let us do what we have been called to do and let God be God. Luther in response to the question of what he would do if he knew the end of the world would come the next day -- something to the effect of "I would plant a tree." This could mean that he would (1) continue to do what God put him here to do, and (2) live with hope.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Himself said all end-times date setting is strictly off-limits.

Acts 1:6-8, NIV

⁶ So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

As await the coming of our Lord and Master, our Bridegroom may we continue to:

•      Walk in faith and not in fear

•      Live godly and holy lives to be a radiant bride fitting for a King

•      Get busy with the task of evangelism

•      Be good stewards of the gifts, talents, treasure and time that God has given to us

People who get excited about supposed signs miss the point that Jesus made. Instead of setting dates, we ought to be ready for His return at any moment. Are you ready?

If you are, then you be able respond as the apostle John did.

Revelation 22:20, NIV

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

Is Divine Healing for Today?

 

Rev Allan Chan

HEALING IN THE BIBLE

In the Old Testament:

• Gen 20:17-18  “Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech” and his household for they had been barren.
• 1 Kings 17:17-24  Elijah raised widow’s son.
• 2 Kings 5:1-14  Naaman healed by Elisha.
• Numbers 21:19  Moses lifts the brazen serpent.

1 Kings 17:17-24  Elijah raised widow’s son.

Vs.21 -“Then he (Elijah) stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.”  

Vs.22 - And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.

2 Kings 5:1-14  Naaman healed by Elisha.

Vs.9 - So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. 

Vss.10  - And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.”

Numbers 21:9  Moses lifts the brazen serpent.

So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

In the New Testament

(i) Jesus’ healing ministry & miracles

Mt. 4:23 “Jesus was teaching and proclaiming the gospel and

healing every kind of disease

and every kind of sickness

among the people.”

(ii) Apostles and early believers’ preaching was validated by signs and miracles.

Jesus promised: “..he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will also do..” (Jn.14:12).

So, “And they went out and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” (Mk.16:20).

Acts 8:6  “The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.”

Philip was:

• One of 7 deacons selected to serve widows and the poor;
• Not an apostle but a lay leader;
• Preached and did miracles in Samaria;
• Baptised Ethiopian eunuch.

(ii) Healing is integral to the Great Commission.

Mk. 16:15 – 20  “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel .. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will  pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

Vs.20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”

JESUS said:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”  -  John 14:12

To God be the glory,

To God be the glory,

To God be the glory

For the things He has done.

With His blood He has saved us,

With His power He has raised us:

To God be the glory

For the things He has done.

The 4 Essentials of an Effective Church

Rev Gideon Lee

Our emphasis will be on the word effective. From scriptures we will see there are 4 essentials for an effective church. That is not to say we are not effective but that we can always be more effective.

We are  celebrating our 38 years but we want to live forward. The church is you and me and not the building. This morning I pray as we talk about the church I'm speaking to you because the church is you and me.

Acts 16:6-10

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

This passage of scripture can teaches us a few things on how to be an effective church. Effectiveness is "the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result". Do you know sometimes we buy things thinking it's effective but sometimes it is just not effective because it does not give us the result we want.

Like how sometimes we go pasar malam (night market) where they sell traditional medicines that they claim can do everything. It's like it can cure anything. I think if you ask if it can cure cancer, they will say can. And when you take it back you find it's just not effective. Even though he promised it's so effective but at the end of the day when we put it to the test it does not give you the result that you want.

A group of people can gather together 3 times a week, sing some songs, listen to a sermon and say some prayers and call it "church", but that does not constitute an effective church. An effective church is a church that worships and glorifies God, disciples and trains believers and seeks to point lost people to salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Let me give you my points first.

1. Desire
2. Discernment
3. Direction
4. Determination

These attributes are seen in Paul and his fellow labourers as they surrendered to the Macedonian call. Let's look at this passage of scripture and examine "4 Essentials Of An Effective Church"

At this point Paul's ministry has recently undergone some major changes. Paul had been traveling with Barnabas for some time. They had been very successful in the Lord's work. They set out to visit the churches that they had established. But there was a sharp disagreement between the two over whether or not to allow John Mark to go with them.

As a result they split up and Paul chose Silas to go with him during the next phase of his journey. These two servants of God went through Syria and Cilicia encouraging the brethren. After this they travelled to Derbe and Lystra, there they met Timothy and Paul selected him to join them on this mission. They travelled through the region preaching the Word. As a result, churches were established and verse 5 says that the churches "increased in number daily". 

At this point Paul had a plan for the future, but he quickly found out that God had other plans! Though his intentions were not what God had in mind, we can see Paul's heart's desire in this text. 

Think about this for a moment. How come the Holy Spirit stopped them? I thought God wants everyone to be saved. If you read the scriptures you will find God had a plan. It was not God's plan or timing. The Holy Spirit plays a very important part for us to be an effective church.

But Paul had a desire but the Holy Spirit said not yet. Paul being a servant of God immediately understood and obeyed. Paul himself was called by God. He was on the road to Damascus. What was he planning to do? To persecute the Christians there. He was a zealous man. When he desired to do something he would do it even of it’s the wrong thing. God met him halfway to Damascus. A bright light confronted him and blinded him. And the Lord said it is me whom you are persecuting. God asked him to go to a place called Straight and to wait. We know the story, Ananias came and prayed for him. Saul's eyesight was restored.

In order for us to be an effective church we must first have the desire. As a church we have a specific calling. Planted 38 years ago and it is still fulfilling the calling God has forgiveness the church. Start with the desire to be an effective Christian. And to be an effective church. I hope we have that desire and know that God has given us a purpose.

What is the desire and purpose of TOP? What is the vision of the church? It's no longer placed here but it's downstairs at the third floor. How many of you remember? That's why I purposely have the service on the fourth floor.

Recently we had our wedding anniversary and we went to Alor Star to celebrate. We left our children for someone to help take care of them. At the anniversary, we had to revisit why we got married and what was God's purpose for us.

So we also have to remember what is the vision of TOP. And what is the mission of the church?

Luke 4:18-19

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

This is what God has called the church to do. But if we do not have the desire, it will just be a poster in church. If you want to be an effective church you need to have the desire. My prayer is that God will increase your desire for the things of God. We must make sure that desire is within the will of God.

This leads me to the second point, discernment.

Acts 16:7

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Paul did not ignore the call of the Holy Spirit. Paul discerned correctly and he obeyed. We need to discern correctly and properly. J. Stowell said that discernment is the skill that enables us to differentiate. The ability to see issues clearly. And we need to cultivate this skill to know what is right and wrong. Light from darkness. Every Christian should be able to determine right from wrong, truth from error, righteousness and unrighteousness. Cultivate discernment from the Lord.

And when Paul discerned he obeyed. He didn't fight or bargained with God. Paul discerned correctly. And so he obeyed. Like I said just now, we need desire but it may not be what God wants for me. One of the ways we learn to discern is by growing in the word. When we know God's word we will automatically know the counterfeit. And discern what is right from wrong.

Remember how I said the devil come to offer us the counterfeit and if we know God's word we will know which is the counterfeit? We need to really know the word of God. It's fundamental and foundation of our walk with God.

Another way is we need to spend time in his presence. My sheep hears my voice. If we know how to discern God's voice, any other voice we will know it's counterfeit. Desire is good but we need discernment. As a church we need discernment.

We must be on autopilot. Are we spending enough time with our master? Like my children better hear from me. I hope I don't leave it to the TV to tell them what is right or wrong. We need to discern the timing as well. The time and the season of what God is doing. I am concerned that the church at large has lost our discernment.

With discernment must come the word direction.

Acts 16:8

So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

They didn't just stand there and did nothing. They discerned what God wanted to do and the direction was to go this way. We need to go where the direction of the church is heading. Sometimes the pastor surge ahead and when he look back there are no followers. Just him alone. We need to move together. We must not lose sight of our vision and mission. We need to follow God's direction.

It is not good enough just to know what God wants us to do but to actually do it. We need to follow when he gives us his direction.

That brings me to my last point. We need determination. We need to determine ourselves.

Acts 16:9-10

9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

God gave Paul direction by sending him a vision and he got ready to leave. Paul was waiting for direction. He was not sure why God kept him from Asia but he knew how to wait on God for direction. In the vision God gave him the answer. And he made plans to go.

When God calls us to do something, let's just go. Let's go with determination. God woke up the next morning and determined in his heart to go to Macedonia. We need determination in our church.

Many times we have good and even godly plans. Sadly I find we do not have the determination to see it through. If this is from God let's just do it. Are you with me this morning. We need to have the desire that we want to be an effective church. We won't run far from our vision and mission.

And let's determine to finish it. When God gives us a vision we must act on it immediately. If you say becoming a Christian is a bed of roses I want to ask you which church tells you so. Yes God is with us but suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life. When Jesus  was tempted in the desert the devil wanted to give Jesus  an alternative with no suffering.

I hope when the devil hears your name and he will tremble. If he does not, it's a sad day. It means we have lost our effectiveness. Our effectiveness is not measured by how we do on our Sunday. But rather how well we do at the marketplace. When we are out there with our colleagues. How brightly are you shining for Christ. My desire is that we will be effective. And we will be salty and be a light bearer.

Lesson 3 - PROCLAIMING GOD IN CHRIST - THE MISSIONARY MANDATE Part 2

I spoke about the means and the end. The means being the Jews and the end being all men. What is the place of the Jews in the promised land of God? Are the Jews superior to the Gentiles? Do the Jews have a special place in the church or is the church superior to the Jews or is the church the new Israel?

I want to begin with this understanding.

Genesis 12:1-3

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.”

When we look at these verses, we have traditionally named it as the Abrahamic Covenant. What was promised to Abraham?

God promised Abraham land - bless you. He will be blessed. He was promised all people group. All people will be blessed.

Genesis 15:4-6

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

He was promised a seed - offspring of a whole nation. Verse 6 is a fundamental  verse.

What was on the apostle Paul's mind when he read these verses? I can break it up into two phases.

Paul before the Damascus Road and Paul after the Damascus Road.

Before Damascus Road

Paul will view this from the perspective of a Pharisee. He only had the OT unlike us. Paul will be looking at this from the view point of Israel. The land would be when Joshua entered the land of Canaan. It was already fulfilled and they already have it. His understanding was based on the law. His main concern was for the Jews. The Gentiles are welcomed to join them but they'll be second class citizens.

What have not been fulfilled is "all people groups will be blessed".

Exodus 24:4-8

4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”

8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

This is the blood covenant that God made with us. We describe it as the Mosaic Covenant, Sinaitic Covenant or the Old Covenant. Some may call it the covenant of the law. Paul would have read and seen all these as law, works and obedience. This is Paul the Pharisee. He is someone who follows the detail of the law. Faith and grace doesn't play a part here.

I spoke on the hyper-grace movement. And the old covenant is the law and the letter of the law will kill. So now in grace we don't go back to the law. To the untrained eye it looks very believable. The Pharisees of the time understood it primarily in that form. Even Paul got it wrong. But today I want you to know that after the Damascus Road he re-interpreted all these.

Paul is someone who looks at the OT and is an expert in it. He does not throw the OT into the rubbish bin after the NT.

Paul after the Damascus Road

Romans 4:9-12

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!

11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Verse 9 was referred to at Gen 15:6. Paul was addressing both Gentiles and Jews. Abraham was credited as righteousness at Gen 15:6 before circumcision. He was circumcised in Gen 17:9-11 at 99 years old. That is 25 years later. Circumcision was just an affirmation of the law becoming active in you. And you become under the Mosaic law. Paul is very clear that if you circumcise you go back to the law. The Jews were shocked because of this. This is very important.

Paul is saying they have misunderstood the Abrahamic Covenant. It is actually for all those who believed. Now Gentiles appears in Paul's line of thinking. You now enter not by the law but by faith.

Romans 4:16-17

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Paul Before / Paul After

Israel - Gentiles

Law - Faith

Works - Grace

Obedience -  Obedience

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Verse 19 are the Gentiles and is no longer foreign but together with the Jews forms a nation.

Ephesians 3:6

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Why did Paul use the word mystery? The focus is the hidden. It is because to the Jews, Judaism and the Pharisees, it's not for the Gentiles. Second class may be okay but not the same heir. Even if they accept that the Gentiles can come in they will still view the Gentiles differently. That is why Paul was politically correct and called it a mystery because it's hard for them to understand.

Galatians 3:26-29

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

All have the same father through faith, Abraham. He used language to describe the mystery. I may be a Christian but it does not mean I am no longer a Chinese. Paul is trying to say the status is the same. No racial superiority over others. Functional difference and status is different. A man and woman is the same status before God but authority is different because that function.

Galatians 3:13-14

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

When Paul wrote the promise of the spirit, where did he draw from it?

Ezekiel 36:26-27

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

This is where the promise of the spirit comes. This is when Jesus said when I go I will send the Holy Spirit. The spirit is in everyone of us.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will make a new covenant

with the people of Israel

and with the people of Judah.

32 It will not be like the covenant

I made with their ancestors

when I took them by the hand

to lead them out of Egypt,

because they broke my covenant,

though I was a husband to them,”

declares the Lord.

33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel

after that time,” declares the Lord.

“I will put my law in their minds

and write it on their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,

or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’

because they will all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest,”

declares the Lord.

“For I will forgive their wickedness

and will remember their sins no more.”

The new covenant is described and it will not be like the old covenant. God works the promise of the spirit into all of us. Jews and Gentiles. The purpose is to keep the left and follow my decrees. That is why obedience is part of the new covenant.

Gen 12, 15 and Exo 24 is the old covenant. It was meant to be faith and grace.

Jer 31 and Ezekiel 36 is the new covenant. It was also meant to be faith and grace.

Abraham was chosen by grace, it was God's sovereign will. Faith and grace. Before Damascus Road, he saw the old covenant as law and works but after Damascus Road he saw the old covenant as faith and grace. The Pharisees sees it as based on law and got it wrong. Not God's old covenant. That's why the hyper-grace movement got it wrong.

God gave the purpose of giving us the Holy Spirit. It is to move us to obedience to the law. It is not to bless us. The challenge of the faith is that believers may often go back to the law. Look at Martin Luther, the reformation and the 16th century. The church went back to the law. Even Martin Luther fell into this. He then read this word.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

The righteous shall leave by grace was from Hab 2:4. And this was what he wrote.

Habakkuk 2:4

“See, the enemy is puffed up;

his desires are not upright—

but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

When I discovered that it is by grace I was born again of the Holy Ghost and the doors of paradise swung open and I walked through it. It was like I was born again and became a Christian, it's just that he was more flowery. The just shall live by faith.

What motivates us to share the gospel? Matthew 28 is our mandate. We have been commissioned by God and we stand on that mandate. Paul did not have Matthew 28, so his mandate came from Genesis 12. This became his missionary mandate.

Paul grounded his theology on Gen 15:6. Without it, it would be difficult for Paul. The Pauline gospel was grounded in Gen 15:6. To come to God by faith. Faith was the only door. If it is faith, then it is by grace. Grace came from the understanding that it's faith. If by works it won't be by grace. Faith and grace came together. 

Galatians 3:6-9

6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

When God called Abraham he already had the church in mind. God already had all men in mind, both Jews and Gentiles. God's promised plan is the church. Israel became the means in which the end is the church. And the Jews is also part of the church.

The Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Our Bible is labelled as Old Testament and New Testament. What is the connection. Testament is the Latin word that has a new connection to the Hebrew word covenant. The Old Testament is the Old Covenant and testament of the prophets and patriarch while the New Testament is the New Covenant and testament of Jesus Christ.

The Bible (OT & NT) is a single document. And Christ stands at the centre. The OT looks to Christ while Christ defines the NT. Christ puts everything together.

You will have caught it if you catch that in the Mosaic Covenant the denominator is still faith and grace. And if you actually understand that God put his spirit in you, is so that you will follow his decrees and his law.