Almighty God, our Father in heaven, we thank Thee for my wonderful salvation. But we received through our Lord and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Not because we deserve, but all by thy grace and thy mercy, that thou hast saved us, and I cleanse us by the precious blood of our saviour. We die on a cross, painfully, all for our sake. That we might be called by children, and have the promise of eternal life.
A lot, we thank you for providing for all our needs, providing us with family, who take care of us, who love us, and to ensure that we are well taken care of. Oh, Lord, we know, the Lord, the source of all these provisions, which we do not deserve, but thou have given to us freely.
How about, O God, that we may learn to be faithful steward. Knowing that we are merely catechous of all the resources we still have put under our care. For that, the owner, and Lord, we truly acknowledge the dollar in our lives, that we can come to enjoy this privilege, to know this, through thy world, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, to open our eyes and to understand the deep things of God.
How about to God now as we turn to thy word for instruction? The thy spirit will grant unto art wisdom and understanding, to be our teacher, and about also to be doers and not heroes only. Climb us a lot about our sins, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Well, is there really so much to talk about Christian stewardship? Isn't it enough just to realise whatever God has entrusted to us, we just take care of them? I think it's, yes, no doubt it is good enough to know that God is the owner. We are merely tacticals, nothing truly belong to us. God is a source. He is the owner.
But having said that, how are we living this life for him? Well, because of the flesh that we have. Always inclining to the world, to sin. So when temptation comes, no, our flesh will fail us. But God does not want us to fail, fail him. He want us to overcome.
But how to overcome, on our own, we have no strength. We are also limited. We cannot even depend on our intelligence. Nowadays, we talk about artificial intelligence, AI, and people depending on AI to do so many things. And we see the change of study. Well, now AI had become a common topic, not even in our education. And why? Because the workforce are all trying to involve AI.
So the world is changing. But we must know that our God is the same. Yesterday, today, forever. Our view of him must not change. And so if our understanding of God is not firm, we will be shaken. We will be wavered with all these that come along our way. Then we will be swept before we know it, we are gone. God is no longer in the picture of our lives.
So when we talk about Christian stewardship, what is to put God at the right position. And also to put ourselves in the right position. So that whatever it happened in the world, we know that God is still God. We are still his children, and that will not change.
When there is responsibility, there is accountability. All belong to God. Okay, so we must realise this. I thought tonight, on a message three, we are going to cover the very important point aspect of our Christian life, which many, perhaps, have taken lightly. The God has given to us. What are we doing with the Spuluto game?
Of course, before we can talk about spiritual gave, only two believers will have political game. It's different from talent. Some of you may have talent. What is the talent? A talent is a skill. You know, something that you have, it can be a natural talent.
Some people have a natural talent of music. It doesn't need to study very hard in order to know the in and out of music. Most people just hear. Wow, very musically inclined. So when they are taught about music, wow, very quickly, they are able to grub music very far.
My mom tried to make me learn organ, you know, organ. He was miserable for me. Right from day one. My mother realised, my mother realised, although I went to the at least, I can't remember how many months, maybe 3 months. It was me, Jerobo. And my mother realised it, he put me off, off the organ club, to put me into drawing. Wow, that's where I excel.
Then I draw a picture of a horse to her. She was so happy. Of course, the horse to her is good enough. Okay? Maybe to professionals, not maybe not that good. I was still young, maybe about 10, 10, 11 years old. Natural talent.
We may have. Some play the piano very well, natural talent, or some, of course, work very hard, practice very hard. But spiritual game is different from talent. The reason is because you may have the talent, but God may not want you to use this talent to serve him. You may have this talent, okay, but that is not your spiritual game.
So you must be very clear in this, because an unbeliever can also pay the panel very well. Doesn't mean that God had given this person a spiritual gift? Not necessarily. In fact, it is not, not because unbelievers will not, but not have the Holy Spirit indwell in that person. But without the Holy Spirit, there is no political game.
The only true believers, only those who are born again, those who have tasted the goodness of God, and accepted the wonderful grace and mercy that God had given to us. To them, God had given them at least one per litter game. At least one. Okay, I leave one.
And that Spirito gave that God had given you. That may be more than one, but at least that one you must put into use.
You can improve upon it, but you must use it. If you fail to use it, we feel as stewards, we feel as stewards.
So this is what we're going to cover this evening on Spiritual Gate. Let I turn our Bible to 1 Peter chapter 4:10. And this is the verse that tells us, we will have a spirit of gift. To be a good steward about. Okay, 1 Peter chapter 4:10. First Peter, chapter 4:10. Let out all we together. They all have turned to it.
Okay, 1 Peter chapter 4:10.
Where do you go?
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Every man, this is written by Apostle Peter, to the church, to the believers. Every man has to refer to every believer. True believer born again. With him by the pressured blood of our saviour. So every man.
So to all of you who have trusted in the Lord Jesus 5 as your Lord and Saviour, you have the spiritual gift. It is not by coming to church that make us a believer. It is not by reading the Bible that makes us a believer. It is not by mixing with Christian brethren that make us a believer.
But what makes us a believer? By believing? By faith. By grace, through faith, in Jesus 5. What as simple as that? No, I must, I must, I cannot stretch it enough. How salvation is so precious. And so precious that sometimes, we don't forget, we don't take for granted.
Though we must make sure, okay? We must make sure that we truly believe who is Jesus 5, what he has done, and what has he got to do with me? Because I am a sinner. I need a saviour. We are undone, without that idea.
When you receive a call, even the call to sir, he felt that he's so unworthy. We must feel like this. We are so unworthy. If not for God's mercy, we will all be heading to the Lake of Fire, the judgement of God. If not for God's mercy and grace.
But thank be to God. Maybe most of you are 2nd generation Christians. You are born into a Christian family. And that is a blessing. Because from young, you are brought to church. You are brought to hear the gospel. That is a blessing.
I was not born into a Christian family. Can you imagine from young, I was exposed to idolatry? Can you imagine from young, I don't even know about God? I saw my parents worshipping idols. The gods are on the altar. That is an exposure to not spiritual ram. But these are all the wrong things, which I didn't even know that.
So if not for God's intervention, God put Christian friends into my life to direct me, to help me come to no goal. Well, I do not know where I will be. I will still be in the world. But God in the wind. God, open my eyes and let me to hear the gospel and understand.
Of course, the first time when I went to church, the first time I entered into the church, I didn't know anything. Even when I hear the gospel, I didn't understand. But by and bye, by and bye, the Lord opened my eye. By his grace and mercy.
I could have dropped off. So I could have dropped out. Because I have also many friends out in the world. No, you, not for the spirit of God, hold me back, kept me until today. I thought we have a spirit again because of our salvation.
For what purpose? To edify the body of Christ. "Even so minister the same one to another."
Yeah, you can play the piano very well. If God had given you that spirited gift, that can also be your talent. You play the piano. The circle of. You play the piano, not for self glory.
You know, I ever seen, you know, some churches when they play the piano. The attention was on the pianist. Why? Because I believe the pianist, probably not talk. But I turn not to be on the piano.
Well, why do we have music? Accompany the worship, to help everyone, to worship the Lord in spirit and include. Not taking the focus away from God. We all must focus on God.
And so when anyone play, don't make a lot of movement. Just, as if you're invisible, you must play as if you're invisible. Of course, it's not possible. But you must do it again, you're invisible. So that no one will notice you.
So that's why you need to play very well. I play very well. I mean, you do not make any mistake. That's why you need to practice. Because the moment you make any mistake, people will take note. Correct? No, that's the thing we do not want to have, want it to happen.
So that's why when we give, when the time man prepare, the order worship. Well, the timeline will make sure the pianist or the organist will have sufficient time to practice. No mistake. Okay, we cannot afford to have any mistake at all.
Even for those serving the Lord's supper. No, can you imagine if those who are serving a lot of, are not prepared? When they walk, they do not walk properly. Even simple things like this. They did not see the pub is clear.
I remember when I was back in the old church, no, I wouldn't in the ministry yet. Well, we were having a lot of supper. I thought there was this elder who was assisting the pastor, holding the element. Not passing the bread, and also the cup. So when he pass the bread, he knows very well the backs are all on the floor. So, therefore, he need to ensure that he need to walk in a clear path.
There are some clear path which you can manoeuvre over. Well, but I think we worked colours. You trip with the bread. Can you imagine that? You cannot afford to have that kind of mistake. It tripped, and it fell, and all the bread on the floor. Wow.
We had to quickly help him. I probably hope that he's not injured. It was quite a big ball, trip over the backs. Thumb. Wah, it was. Some, some type to laugh because it was quite comical, quite dramatic. But it was a serious thing. A lot of supper. Cannot afford to have such thing to happen.
Of course, coming back, Spirator game. Not Sprito gave is to edify the church. To make sure that the church is growing. Make sure that the spiritual gift that you have to improve upon all the time. After that, the church will benefit. Not for yourself, but for the church.
But that's what we see here. "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).
How will we exercise our spirit again? God will look upon us. You are a good steward. But when you do not use your polluter game, are we good steward? We are no longer good still.
I thought we need God's help to be good stewards. And we see the word minister. It's the same word that the Lord is called to minister, and not to be ministered. The same word. How he gave his life a ransom for many.
And so similarly, we are to minister to one another. With the spirit I give, the God has blessed us.
We thought this evening we're going to see what it means to exercise spirit again. Well, within the framework of the Christians to worship.
Now, what are now, why spiritual gift? Spiritual gifts are divine and neighbourhood. Given by the Holy Spirit, to believers for the edification of the church. And also for the advancement of God kingdom.
And there are few passages in the Bible, the teachers are on the spiritual game. In Roman 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesian 4. We will look into these passages later.
So what are some of these spiritual gifts include teaching, exhortation, giving leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, and all the spiritual gift is purposeful. Intentional. Not by the way. No, if not, oh, I happen to have it, no. God design it for you. Customise it for you.
Okay, let us turn to Romans chapter 12:6-8. Okay, woman, chapter 12. Verse 6 to verse 8. Roman 12 verses 6 to 8.
This is what Apostle Paul teaches concerning spiritual game.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6-8).
We thought there are various political games that are listed here.
Okay, of course, we know there are some who are called to serve as teachers or preachers. That's a higher calling for those who teach God's word or preach God's word. And they want, they have a higher responsibility, because they are representing God.
When they stand up here, open their mouth, open the Bible and teach, they're representing God. And behind that, teaching, how much, how many hours of study you have been put in.
And that is required because we are handling the word of God. We're not talking about men's word.
Can you imagine if in a stamina, for those to conduct something, how many hours do they prepare in the preparation? In order to give a top? Many hours, whether is it population of the PowerPoint light, any form of presentation? A lot of hours have been put in.
How much more for God's word? We must not take it lightly for those who have been called to teach.
So that's why the pastor or the bottle of elders have the responsibility to make sure that Sunday school teachers. They know what they are doing. They must prepare. They cannot enter into the classroom, open the Bible for the 1st time, and then just open it, his or her mouth. No such thing. Although who are taught to teaching, preaching, always prepare. Yes, you may say that you have the political gift to teach or preach. But if you need to prepare. Now, you have the spirit of gift to play the piano. You still need to practice.
Although over here, according, prophesied, according to the proportion of faith. How are we? You know, God did not expect us. Wah, you must be here already. Perfect. No, we are growing. You know, we are we are improving. We are progressing. Thank God that our God is not a, you know, a tyrant god. Angry with Auckland when we did not do well. Call is very patient. Got one enough to do our best. And keep improving.
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering. I'm ministering simply to serve. They do so. Are we willing to serve? Well, thank God for those who are willing to walk the plates. We are very appreciative for what you have done and what you are doing. Well, I hope you fully want to start. You need a joy to stop. No, it's all these are part of giving.
Now, if everyone gave, everyone receive. Everyone only think of receiving, but not giving, none will receive anything. Only when you give, not somebody receive. That's why Jesus says, it is better to give than to we see. Because if all were to give, all were receive. That all will be ministered to.
Okay, and then I jump, let him do it with tempity, the one who give. He that ruler with diligence, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness.
After we see the at the back, whatever you do, with diligence. When you rule, you rule with diligence. You don't rule like a tyrant. No, I tell you what to do. Then after that I go back, I relax. No, diligence. I also work. We all work hard together, religion.
He that showed mercy with children. Well, we care. Don't know when we care, we sacrifice. We have to give up our right. We have to give up our inconvenience. We have to give up certain things that may, you may have to go out of your way. How to do it. But we may do so gladly.
With bitterness. I don't want to do it. I hate to do it. But we are called to do it with cheerfulness. Happily, do it happily. Happy to do it, happy to pick up the litters. Happy to open the door for someone. Happy to carry one another back. Happy to clear the rubbish, whatever. Happy to do it.
So you will see that spiritual gift. You need to discover what is your political game. You may have the spiritual gift of encouragement. Now, you have all the cups there with the name, Encouraging. And you have a gift of, well, taking note of, which area need to be kept in order?
Maybe you, you see this area. Oh, so messy. We just tidy up. But it's okay. Some really do not know, you know, when you enter. I thought everything is in order, but actually it's in a mess. They just cannot see, but there are some who are able to see. This is such a messy room. Let me clean up. Let me put everything in order. That is a gift, you know, that is a gift. And you do it for Jesus' sake.
Or you see somebody, you know, very cold, or maybe I have a jacket I can spare. I'm willing to give it to you. Or if not, I'll give you mine. Some other, maybe thicker clothing, you know. Spirit of good.
And there's nothing wrong if all of us have the same game. Because if God will decide. He knows better what the body of Christ lacks and... So if the spirit that gave exercise accordingly, you know, whatever gap that is between us will all be filled. And it will help the church or the fellowship to grow. And that will bring glory to God.
But we know that God does give us different gifts, different spirits again. For what purpose, so that we may compliment one another? We are not here to compete with one another. No, if some of you have the gift of playing the guitar or the piano, we're not here to challenge you. Who can play this piece as fast, or as, I don't know, I'm not musically inclined, although I can play the guitar, in a way I'm forced to learn, because for many years, you know, the fellowship group in the old church, young people, there is no music, okay?
So I forced myself to learn. Thank God I managed to learn it in a very short time. Well, you can call that the spirited game. I don't have the talent. Okay, but God gave me this burrito game. I played for the fellowship group for at least the 5 years. I even able to teach others, although I'm I'm no I'm not musically inclined at all.
I learned the guitar all by myself. You know, I'm just to play. But I managed to teach others, and they are better than me now. They are able to read the notes. I can't. After all the tauge, all the lime, I can't, I can only read the letters. You give me the letters. I know the medical court, I can play any song.
Okay. But you give me the court, you know, the scores, I'm lost. I'm I'm I'm totally lost. So there are those who, no, I bottom in, I put them, and they are better than me. Praise the Lord for them.
I thought we have differing gifts for compliment, not competition, compliment. Okay, because there are many spiritual needs found in the body of Christ. Okay, so we can be useful to one another.
So as long as the spirited gave is used faithfully, the life of God people will be built up. At least someone in the group or in the body of Christ will be black. So, of course, there are some may not be appreciated. So we must accept that. Very much accept that.
We are not here to please men. We are not here to get approval from men. Approval from God is more important. So you do it with the right heart, always seek to improve. If anyone give you feedback, appreciate the feedback. Thank you improve on it. Okay, don't take it. Keep tormenting. I'm no good. I'm no good, I'm no good. I give up. No, don't do that.
Which is what God had caught you to do with this spiritual game, do it well. Do you know what happen if you decide not to use your project game? The body of Christ will be deprived of your spirit again, which is supposed to bless the body of life. All it takes is you give up. Or it take that you decide. I don't want to do it anymore. Let me bury my period again. Because you take it lightly. It's not worth it.
You decided that, what for? What for? Then the body of Christ will be deprived of this blessing. Now, let me turn you to 1st Corinthians, chapter 12. This is a longer passage, but a portable covers in more areas, okay, in 1st Korean chapter 12 verses 4 to 27.
Really, this is a longer Patrick. But then we will be able to see why we are not the same. Okay, why we are not all the same? Some may be the same, but not all other things.
1 Corinthians, chapter 12 verses 4 to 27. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” The emphasis, the same spirit. Okay, the same spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. Again, the emphasis. Okay, but the same law.
So, in other words, no need to compete, although we may be different. We may, maybe more, I suppose, not maybe at the background. Don't have to compare. Because we are serving the same law. Under the same spirit.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. So whether it is exposed, or the background, God is the one that is empowering us through our spirit again.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, I mean, teaching. And that also can be encouragement or counsel, the word of wisdom. To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. To another faith by the same Spirit. To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. To another the working of miracles. To another prophecy. To another discerning of spirits. To another divers kinds of tongues. Not to another the interpretation of tongues.
Now these are all the sign gifts. Because in those days, the word of God is still in the process of writing. So God is still using the apostles to authenticate his spoken word. But when the time comes, when this spoken word is all written, then some of this will not be needed anymore. Because the words will have been in black and white.
Of course, I use the modern term black and white, but it will be engraved into scripture for our learning, so that we can pass from generation to generation. So that every generator will have God's special verbalisation, which is the word of God.
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Remember the same, in the beginning, talk about the same? Then now talk about oneness. Now, we have many, but we are still under the same law. We are still one body. The one body. Because Christ is one.
Verse 13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles.”
So now, when we talk about Jews, you know, people always relate to the national weakness of Israel in the Old Testament. God has chosen a small nation. In fact, if we know the history of how Israel comes about, it all began with Abraham, is it name? And then after that, how God led him to the promised land.
And of course, by God's providence, no, they, through Joseph, they were found in Egypt. That's where the twelve, Israel, grown. Okay, grown into size, you know, because of all the events that happened to escape the famine.
And then, but they cannot remain in Egypt. You know, they have to go back to the promise land, through Godways, out Moses, to lead the people. Propose to lead to the promised land.
Well, of course, in the end, Joshua, who was the one who took over and let the tulope is put into it, into the promised land.
So because they have a testimony to bear, they are supposed to be the national weakness. Not just the God of Israel, but he is the God of the whole world. But God has children Israel to bear the gospel like.
But we know how Israel failed. So that's right now even the Gentiles are included.
The dentiles is where, in the bowl of X, how, you know, at the Pentecost, the spirit descended the power of the Holy Spirit. And that's where began the church weakness on earth.
So from the national weakness of Israel, become the church weakness. After Jesus gave the Great Commission in chapter 1, verse 8, or even in Matthew 28:18–20, the Lord Jesus gave the Great Commission.
But this Great Commission will only be command, you know, will only command in Acts 2, when on the day of Pentecost, to the Jews, or the Gentiles.
Whether we be bond or free, that have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
So there are those who say, oh, Old Testament are safe in a different manner. New Testament save in another different manner. No. You read all by one Spirit. Whether Jews or Gentiles.
Well, the Old Testament or New Testament, that it's only one starvation. One God, one faith, one baptism, one Spirit. Okay, we are all in the same body of Christ. No, whether it be the Old Testament or the New Testament. For there is only one price whom God has promised.
Okay, so when this is established, all of us must be believers. Because if you're not believer, you're not part of the body. Only when you are true believer, you are part of this body.
For the body is not one member, but many.
We know what is the body. The body has many parts, okay? So from verse 15, very specific. “If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?” It is still remain part of the body.
But because the hand, maybe decided, I'm not, I'm not the, because, got the foot, not the foot, or because I'm not the hand. So therefore, because they find that the hand more useful, can do and carry things.
What about the leg? The leg can only walk or run or jump. What about if I'm a hand? Well, I can, I can carry things. I can fight. I can help someone lift up someone. Well, you seem to be more useful according to the foot.
Ah, I'm not a hand. So I'm not part of the body. So if the foot is right, I'm not part of the body, what happen to the body? No legs. Not only.
If there is no leg, is it complete? It's not complete. So that's why you say, you did therefore not of the body. It is still part of the body. But you have failed as a steward of God.
Because you think your mind has deceived you. No, because because you think that you're not the hand. You are the foot, you are not the hand. You're not part of the body. So you decided not to do anything.
So when the leg decided not to walk, when it can walk, but told not to walk, what happened to the body? The hand will also not be able to do anything, isn't it?
Now, if let's say... Let's say, I pull it literally. The foot decided not to work. Because I'm not part of a body, but I'm not going to use it anymore. Then left the hand. What can the hand do? What can I handle? You can ever crawl. Wow, very difficult. Make life even more difficult.
Or because of the thinking of the foot. I am not a hand. Is it therefore not of the, not part of the body? It is. Because all you need to do is to play your role. You don't have to be the hand. You have made the foot. Just do the part of the foot. Just do your function as the foot.
Not just the foot. And if the ear, verse 16, “If the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”
The ear. You cannot close the ear. Of course, they are those who selective hearing. They are such a selective hearing, too. We tend not to hear. Actually, you heard, but you pretend not to hear. But actually, really cannot lah. Because there's nothing to close the ears, easily.
But just because you think, oh, I think the eye is more important. Because the eye is, no, they say, no, the eye is the window to the soul. That is it true?
Well, we are all vigilant. We can see so many things. We can enjoy so many things because of the eye gate, you know, the thing that we see.
Oh, then the ear. Well, they started, well, I shut my hearing, cannot, don't know. No, no use, okay? Maybe you pierce the eardrum. Okay, not hear anymore. I cannot hear. I totally cannot hear.
Now you completely cannot hear. Even if you want to hear auto cannot. Okay? So what happened to the body? Can only see, cannot hear. The world suddenly becomes silent.
Do you know that when we lose our hearing, we may also lose our balancing? This is something I learned recently only.
Well, we have an uncle who was trying to walk up the steps, because he has problem hearing. So he put the hearing aid. But sometimes the hearing aid doesn't work properly. So that is an imbalance. So when he walk, he, he need to hold on to the handwheel, do something.
So when he woke up, there was no handle. And then he was carrying a bag of groceries, very heavy. So when he went up, he missed a step. He lose his balance. He fell.
Hearing, hearing important. Hearing is not just for hearing. But hearing also for balancing, balancing. That's what I learned.
Of course, if you can hear, there will be something different. You can communicate. But for those who are who are really that, they can use sign language.
But what if you can hear, but you refuse to acknowledge, you know, that you are important to the bottom. Keep thinking that others are important, not the eye, more important. You did, therefore, not of the body, it is.
The ears are part of the body as well.
So in verse 17, “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”
Huh? How Apostle Paul, let us step by step, making us feel important. Not for us to boast, you know, that we are good, we are very good. No, God made us useful for his purpose.
So if we fail to realise this, then we will go our way. Now we will not care for the body anymore. And God doesn't want that to happen. No, we are here to build up the body of Christ. We are not here to destroy.
We're not here to, “Oh, that's because I'm not the hand. I'm the foot. I'm not gonna do anything. Because I'm the ear, I'm not the eye.”
You are, you are all looking at the eye. None of the ear not important. And then you feel you're useless. Because I don't want not to feel that.
God has a purpose for all our different function in the body.
Verse 18. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”
This is even more crucial. Because when you decided you are not useful, you are blaming God.
God, why am I not the eye?
Why am I not the hand? You're blaming God? God made you the foot. God made you the ears. Or whatever part, but you despise it. You're blaming God. Because it had pleased Him to make you as you are.
Verse 19, “And if they were all one member, where were the body?” So you decided... The hand are more important. So everybody hand, nobody, nobody is the foot. Like, who will do the function of the foot? Nobody. Because everybody is a hand. How to move, as a body of life. We can't.
But now, verse 20, “But now are they many members, yet but one body.” And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee. So now it's the other way. No, because the eye... The eye thinks that it's important. You are the hand, huh? You're a hand. Although the foot think highly of you, but the eye is... Think lowly of the hand.
But Paul says, cannot, right? And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee. Nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Okay, so all of us are important. You don't let your inferiority or pride hinder you from building the body of Christ, edifying the body of life.
All of us are important.
Okay, where am I now? Verse 21. “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”
Nay, much more, those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
What you say here is, there's no need to compare because we all have different functions. Some we have many functions. Some may have less surf function. But all important. All important.
What made out all differently? God knows how much we can bear. How much we can, we can, we can take, okay? If suddenly God turn the foot to become the hand, maybe cannot manage. But God knows exactly the foot to be foot, the hand to be hand, the ear to be ear, the eye to be the eyes. Exactly. Not what God has intended. No more, no less. With the measure of faith to build up the church.
To don't have to compare. I don't have a compare.
For what purpose? For verse 25, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
After when the hand is injured, wah, the foot happy jump. No, the foot will not jump. The foot will also feel the pain. The foot will run to get medical help. To all the other part, we also come in. The eyes will look at the injured part, apply the medical help economy. All these were put into place. We are all playing our part.
Well, then, when there's honour, well, maybe you like to play football. Score a goal. But the whole body collapse. Why? Because all the other not rejoicing. Because only the leg kick, then the rest never do anything, right?
Well, no, all rejoice together, the whole body, you know, the head, the eye, everything. It's a goal. Because it's one body. You cannot separate.
Oh, it's the soccer player. Okay, the leg come because other parts know no relation. Only the leg score the goal, and it must be the right leg, the right right leg. No, it's a whole person, it's a whole body. All we see the honour, isn't it?
What's more for the body of Christ, which is spiritual? Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
We are all saved in this family. So let us build one another up, okay, with the spiritual gift the God had given to us.
And now we know we are stewards. Put into good use the resources that God has given you. Time, before we talk about all the resources that God has placed to you, the thing, you know, the things of this, of this world.
We've always talked about time. And we acknowledge that God is the owner. Although we were able to honour the Lord, okay? Because we are in this body of life. We want to build one another up.
So a lot of good things are going on within the body of Christ. But all you take is just one with a different mindset. Either you're proud, or you are inferior, or you feel that you're useless. You feel that you are, you do not belong to the body of life.
So that's why in the beginning, I called upon you to ensure that you are safe, ensure that you are a true believer. It is not because you are born into the Christian by me that make you a believer. It is because of God's grace and mercy that save you.
Well, I hope we have time to go to another passage. Ephesians chapter 4 verses 4 to 7.
Ephesians 4:4–7, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
If plain and simple, if you are safe, you are part of the body. If you're not safe, no matter what you do, you're not part of the body. No part at all.
So if you are safe, now we have the spiritual gift. At least one. If you have more, then you are given more grace, how to use the spiritual gift, for the blessing of God's people.
We don't have to fight over spiritual gift, which one is better, which one is more permanent. No need, whatever gift we are given. It's already decided by God.
So if we fight, if we compare, you know, we're actually blaming God. Why didn't you make me better? Or why didn't you give me that spiritual gift? Because the spiritual gift make the person so famous, so popular. What you're blaming God?
God knows what He is doing. We don't tell God what to do. But we need God to help us discover the spiritual gift that will build up the church, not destroy the church.
So that's why we no need to fight over who is better. God knows what He is doing. The unity of the church is important.
When we realise our stewardship, okay, our stewardship, we want to bless the people of God. Don't we need to be faithful in what the Lord has called us to do?
No, I want to focus on salvation because what's the point of talking about Peter Gift when we are not sure of our salvation? When we are sure of our salvation, so sure that we know without a doubt, I'm on my way to heaven.
Then, the perspective of life will not be blurred. We know what we are doing. We know why we are here. Well, we know why we are here. And when we know why we are here, we know where we are going.
The problem with art is, many a time we are not sure why we are here because of the many destruction of the world. There are so many things that can distract us easily. So we need to ensure that we are all safe. Check yourself. Examine your pay. Truly believe that you are saved in Christ.
Is it a big deal if you're not safe? It is a big deal. Because if you're not safe, then what do you have? You have nothing. Your life is a big zero. It's a vanity.
When we are saved, we learn many things. When we learn about what is life, we learn about where we come from. We learn about why we are here. And we learn about where we are going. Isn't that wonderful?
How many years that water, that was a fire in Singapore, in this place called Ang Mo Kio? Many years ago. Thought about this siblings, you know, the brother at 630 was sleeping in the house. And because there was a fire, there was smoke. People are shouting, fire.
The brother and sister, they will waken up by the noise. So by the time they went out, well, smoke everywhere, they do not know where to run. Because it's a block. There's a centre staircase, and both sides of the block, there are also staircase. So there are 3 ways in which they can run.
So where can they run? You did the centre one, left or right? They don't know. They don't know which way. So, they took the nearest exit, the nearest staircase. So they went to the nearest package, which is a centre one.
But, unfortunately, the centre set is where the heart of the fire is. But they didn't know. So the more, they went down the more smoke that they inhaled, in the end, they painted, and both of them died. Both of them died.
I think it was reported. They went the wrong way. No, if only that there is someone to go and tell them the right way. In fact, if they go all the way to the left, or to all the way to the right, they will not have died. They will not have died. But because nobody tell them, they die.
It's a pity, isn't it? A pity.
Now, the reason why I shared this is because now that someone tell you the way to escape. You know, the fiery wrath of God that is burning against all those who sin against Him. And now there are someone who tell you there is a way of escape. You can escape.
But are you taking this way of escape? Or will you choose your own way? If you choose your own way, you will not escape. You will die. You will die in your sin.
The Bible tells us, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
So when we die, it is not... annihilation, no disappear in the air no more. Or some even believe that, oh, there is a next life. If I do enough good in this life, next life, I will be back as a good man. Maybe born to a rich family. If I'm not a good man, I will be reborn as maybe a rat.
The moment people see, junk. Become a pass. People that dislike, I have to eat all the, all the dirts. But some people have this thinking, but where do they get this thinking from? Well, is from their sinfulness. When they reject God.
But now you have been shown the truth. The way of escape. Will you not come and taste of His goodness? The wonderful salvation.
No, most of the religion of Fey talked about doing good. Christianity also talk about doing good, but the order is different.
Okay, the order is completely different because when we talk about doing good, you know, for other faith, for religion, you need to do all these good work in order to be safe. Though good words come first, then salvation.
But what we learn from the scriptures, the Bible. Salvation first. Then good luck.
Now, why is this order different? The reason is, how much good work can you do to be safe? Anyone can tell me?
Well, they are due to look up to Mother Teresa. We have done so many good works, too much so that she has overflowing credits. All you need to pray to her, her credit can pass away. A bank of credits, a bank of credit. Can you imagine that? That is the man thinking.
How much good work can man do in order to be safe? Zero. Zero, zero.
Why? Because even if you are able to do 99%, it's still not good enough. To enter into heaven must be perfect.
So, in other words, we all disqualified already, even Mother Teresa, of course, I don't want to call her mother. But that was what she was known as. Unknown as Mother Teresa.
I think she become a sin, right? Become a sin. No, there are all those Saint Paul, Saint John, I know, Saint Teresa, so he became a saint. Uplifted, even though she stayed.
But none of us is able to depend on our good works in order to be safe.
So how? To how?
The Lord Jesus has done it all. All we need to do is to look to Him by pay. Because He has lived a perfect life for our behalf.
So when we talk about Christ, yes, He started His ministry at the age of 30 and then finished His military at 33.
But let us not forget, He was born. He was born as a virgin without sin. From birth, all the way to the end of His life, without a sin. Without any sin.
And not only without anything, He obeyed the law of God perfectly. Not even a simple thought went into His mind. And that's how perfect He is.
That's why He is worthy to be our saviour, to die as our substitute.
All our sins were on Him, though He commit no sins. But when God looked at us, it is as if we have not seen.
That is the big term called certification. We are justified by faith.
Certified, we are declared no more guilty. When we look to the Lord, Jesus 5, He is our Lord, and He is our Saviour. He had given us the way of escape. Why are we not taking this route? All this route? That we can be saved.
Why are we still depending on our own good work? We're very miserable because when we keep on doing good work, we will never, we don't have a pity in our heart because it is never good enough. Because how much good work must we do? We don't even know.
You know, after these deeps of charity, then you are going to look for another bit of charity to, to, to build up your merits. But you will never be good enough.
So all we need to do is to turn to Christ. Your sin burden will roll away. It's the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, washes away all our sin.
So when we embrace Him as our Lord and our Saviour, we are no longer the same. No, we don't turn back. We look forward. He is coming again. We know where we are going because our Saviour will come again.
So a steward of God, this is the gospel that we have been entostered, but we pray, we pray that the Lord will help us bear good testimony. No, whatever we do, at home, in school, in church, as good steward, our testimony matters.
Because it reflects the perspective of life that we're living. And we pray that those around us, especially those who are seeking, you know, they want to know the will of escape. How can I find peace in my heart? I will pray that God will use us to be a blessing to them.
Through our testimony at the steward of God, goes a long way. To use your spiritual gift to bless God people.
Okay, for the edification of the church, and then so for the abandonment of the gospel. Put that together as a church, this will be a church that glorifies. Not self-qualification, but a church that honoured God, a church that glorified Him.
That'll pray.
Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee for Thy word, but remind us this evening, the wonderful salvation of our Lord and our Saviour to Church 5. The truly, it is all but our grace and mercy.
That Thou hast saved up from condemnation. And how we do not deserve any of Thy goodness. We deserve Thy wrath, and to be thrown into the lake of fire for our punishment.
But ours... Taken away. All these we deserve, and are given to our salvation through our Lord and our Saviour, Jesus 5.
The Lord, with this salvation, we pray that we will be good stewards. Using perspirator gate, which Thou hast given, for the blessing of Thy people, and also for the advancement of the only gospel, let's say.
How about, O God, when we commit all this with Thanksgiving?
In Jesus' name.