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Grace Together: Two Things We Seek, Three Persons We Need

Pastor Ian suggests ways that we can practically flesh out our theme 'Grace Together' in the body as recipients and stewards of God's grace.

As we continue to celebrate our annual theme, people are increasingly beginning to ask, “How am I to apply this to my life? What specifically should I be doing in order to nest my life with the theme ‘Grace Together’?”

Two practical things we seek to do in 2019:

1. The writer of Hebrews encourages us this way: “since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." (Heb 10:21-22, NLT)

In other words, the first practical thing we will seek to do in 2019, is to intentionally live life  together with a daily sense of wonder over the amazing grace with which God has lavished us. This may present itself in expressions of thanksgiving over the fact that we are continually being sanctified by the sacrificial work of Christ. We may even find ourselves constantly reminding each other that even now, our High Priest and Chief Shepherd is pleading on our behalf.

2. Hebrews goes on to remind us, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Heb 10:23-25, NLT)

So more than just celebrating the fact that we have become recipients of this grace, we will choose to live together as stewards of His grace. We will live and serve with a daily sense of obligation to represent God’s gentle voice in each other’s lives; to encourage, exhort, embrace and strengthen. 

With these two things in mind, I rejoice that the Women of Grace are meeting this Saturday morning to share and to pray about practical implications involved in committing to these specific 'Grace Together' actions. In the process, they are going to be challenging themselves and others to commit to choose three essential relationships:  

1. In a culture that valued homogeneity and the wisdom of old age, Timothy was a young pastor born of multiracial parents. Yet he courageously embraced the role of pastor.

Yes or No. Is there anyone in my life who I am specifically encouraging to grow deeper into Christ and His word, despite the misgivings I have about my own spiritual maturity?

Next. Will I specifically seek out the counsel of someone who is perhaps just a few steps ahead of me in the spiritual pilgrimage? Will I intentionally desire that the wisdom of those who have served before me be used of God to shepherd my heart and instruct my behaviour?

2. Paul was the kind of man who outgrew his teachers. He was blessed with the courage to publicly live the kind of life that would be worthy of imitation and he specifically challenged others to grow fruitful in their faith.

Yes or No. Do I currently have someone in my life, who faithfully sets the course for me? Is there someone to whom I would joyfully submit? Whose life and teaching lays out the path for me and helps me to live confidently within the good pleasure of a great God?

Next. Is there someone in whom I am investing? Who am I looking to bring with me?  Is there someone to whom I relate, who—because of my call and conviction—desires to follow me as I follow Christ?

3. Barnabas was the kind of man who noticed God-gifted potential in a man, even before that man had found the courage to reach it. He was a tenacious encourager who introduced the reticent to confidence and who specifically looked for ways to promote and build up others.

Yes or No. Do I currently have someone in my life who God uses to consistently encourage me?  Am I prepared to have my heart shaped by those who see and believe the work that God is doing in me?

Next. Am I prepared to develop a plan to specifically pour godly courage in to the lives of those He loves?

I am praying that as we attempt to live out our theme of Grace Together, each of us will commit to celebrating and stewarding God’s grace as we relate to one another.  I pray that each new week, God would find us seeking these two things and investing in these three essential relationships!

This Week:

  • Women of Grace. All sisters are invited to come have their hearts encouraged by the Word and our 2019 Theme. This Saturday 16 February, 9.30 am, at the church.
  • We welcome home our missionary Fedora Teong. Fedora will be in our services for only two Sundays.  Please ensure you greet her and find out more about her ministry.
  • This Sunday Pastor Eugene will teach us from Romans 2:25-29 regarding the specific challenge of “Keeping Up Appearances.”
  • Immediately following the service we will have a short congregational meeting in order to respond to the following, unanimous ECL recommendations:
    • That we invite Beh Soo Hee to serve a second term as an elder and member of our English Congregation Leadership (ECL).
    • That we invite Mok Chuan Xin to serve as an elder and member of our English Congregation Leadership (ECL).
    • That we invite Caleb Yap to serve as an elder and member of our English Congregation Leadership (ECL).
    • Please pray that as God’s people respond to our ECL recommendations, that we will each seek to steward God’s voice in these matters.