Pastor Daniel Chua

INTRODUCTION

Insurance policies / safety first – FSB, safety checks, regulations and procedures etc

- This Psalm shows us how to trust in God in dangerous circumstances.
- Not knowing where our safety comes from critically cripples the Christian life.
- How to know a safety and a security in God when nothing about the situation that we’re in is safe or secure.

THE PSALMIST HAS A TESTIMONY: ‘I HAVE FOUND THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD’

The first thing that we see in this passage is the TESTIMONY of the Psalmist.

He is not telling us something that he doesn’t know about. He has found a place of safety not because everything is going on right. In fact, there is danger on every side but he has learned the secret of God’s security in this insecure world. [Dramatized]

We are safe when we are at home with God.

In verse 1 the Psalmist is describing the sacred chamber called the holiest of holies.

- This is the secret place where God lives.
- As far as those ancient Israelites were concerned, they could sadly never go there
- Only the High priest went into this secret place once a year on the Day of Atonement.
- But now we have access into the very presence of God.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. Hebrews 10:19-20

The Psalmist says, he who dwells. It doesn’t say he that visits.

- Dwell in the Hebrew is the word for inhabit.
- It literally means to ‘make the secret place your home’.
- It describes the man who desires to be where God is;
- Where God becomes everything to them
- Where the desire is to feast in His presence, to enjoy His fellowship and to know Him intimately.
- This special intimacy brings with it special immunity.

Every child of God looks towards the Inner Sanctuary and the Mercy Seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Charles Spurgeon
We are safe when we know who our God is.

He piles up metaphors for security and names of God in order to drive this home.

- Notice how in the four names of God he presses you back into a realization
- A revelation that your safety doesn’t come from your circumstances
- It comes from who your God is!

a. HE IS MOST HIGH – EL ELYON

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9.

He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named. Ephesians 1:20-21

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:9

- It stresses His sovereignty and supremacy.
- He is far above all powers and principalities.
- He is in a place beyond the reach of Satan and his demons
- Is there anything in this world higher than Him?

b. HE IS ALMIGHTY – EL SHADDAI

- The God who overpowers; the all powerful God; the many-breasted God indicating sufficiency and nourishment.
- He is omnipotent; all power resides in Him.
- Is there any danger that you can face that is greater than His power?

c. HE IS THE LORD – YAHWEH

- The name was held so sacred that it was never written or spoken
- Scholars are exactly sure how it should be pronounced.
- It means “I am that I am,” or “I am the one who is.”
- The compound names

d. HE IS GOD – ELOHIM

- In the beginning God. He is the Creator. Plural speaking of Trinity.
- But He is not just God He is MY God
- It is not enough just to say `the Lord is a refuge’. He must be my refuge!
- He’s no longer just the shepherd, He’s my shepherd.
- He’s no longer just the heavenly Father, He’s my heavenly Father.

Listen to the words that he uses in vv1-2: Secret place, shelter; shadow; shade; refuge; fortress.

a. Do you remember moments in your life when you have found shelter in some tangible danger and realize that God is your shelter in every danger?

b. Have you ever been out on a hot afternoon, longing to find a tree to be shadowed under? And you found it and got relief from the blazing rays of the sun. And the psalmist is saying God is your shadow.

c. Perhaps there had been times when you felt bullied by people or unfairly treated by situations and long for a hiding place. God is your refuge.

d. Maybe you’re here this morning thinking, ‘That’s what I need in my circumstance. With what I’m facing, I need a castle around me!’ And here the psalmist says God is your fortress.

There will be troubles and threats on every side

- Situations and circumstances that are unsafe and insecure
- But my home address is security! My home address is safety
- It’s because of who I know: the person of my God
- It’s because of where I live: I dwell with Him. I abide with Him

He refused to be silent.

- In verse 2 he said ‘I will say…’
- The Greek actually reads ‘DECLARE’ or ‘ANNOUNCE’.
- To publish… to broadcast!

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13

One of the most interesting things about this Psalm is that it’s the Psalm that Satan knew.

- He memorized it and no doubt he hated it, but he employed it in his devious way when he tempted Christ in the wilderness.
- You remember what he said to Jesus? ‘If You are the Son of God, throw yourself off the pinnacle of the temple, because You know what the Bible says: God will give His angels charge over you, and He will not allow your foot to be dashed against the rock.’
- And you know what Jesus says? “You will not test the Lord your God.”
- Get this: we don’t test God; we simply trust… Trust and obey!

So the psalmist is saying, ‘Before I tell you what I’m about to tell you in verses 3-13, I want you to know this: I’m not telling you about something that I haven’t experienced myself. I have experienced the safety and security of God in this unsafe and insecure world. I know that it’s real.’ [Dramatized]
WE HAVE A GUARANTEE: ‘YOU CAN BE SAFE AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES’

Psalm 91 exposes a paralyzing fear—the fear of failing and falling under threats and oppositions. This fear keeps us from serving God and obeying His word.

- Abraham’s fear caused him to lie concerning the true identity of Sarah as his wife
- Moses was afraid to go to Egypt and lead Israel out of captivity
- The Israelites feared the “giants” in Canaan and did not possess the land God promised

God’s protection was intended to put away unhealthy fears.

Fear not because God’s protection is foolproof.

The dangers are likened to a fowler’s snare and a perilous pestilence.

- Fowler’s Snare: In days gone by, bird trapping was quite an art. There weren’t guns and you had to set traps for birds. The fowler’s snare is not seen until it is too late… an element of surprise.

- Perilous Pestilences: It literally means plagues of mischief. It is translated deadly in some Bible versions. It is fatal.

But whether the danger is invisible or seems incurable, God’s protection is comprehensive.

Fear not because God’s protection is tender and tough.

God’s keeping power is portrayed by the use of 2 images: a mother bird and metal armor

- The mother bird safely tucks her young under her wings. There they are secure. Here is the tenderness of God’s care and concern. But there is also toughness as is seen in the imagery of the metal armor.

From the perspective of the protected, God is warm and tender; from the vantage point of the attacker, God is as strong as steel.

Fear not because God’s protection is round-the-clock.

Verses 5 and 6 refer to night and day, the darkness of night and the light of day.

- The God of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers.
- He watches over us even in our sleep.

There is no danger, whether seen or unseen, anticipated or unexpected, which can catch God unaware and unable to protect us.

Fear not because God’s protection singles us out.

Verse 7 says even when men are “falling about us like flies” around us God is able to keep us.

- In Exodus when God poured out ten plagues upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians…
- In every case, the Egyptians suffered, but not the Israelites who trusted in God.

But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.”… So the Lord did this thing on the morrow, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the sons of Israel, not one died Exodus 9:4-6

- Hail destroyed the crops, the cattle, and the servants of the unbelieving Egyptians, but the Israelites were not harmed (Exod. 9:18-26).
- The first-born of the unbelieving were all killed by the death angel, but those who believed God, applying the blood of a lamb to the doorposts and the lintel of their house, were not touched (Exod. 12).

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes. Jude 24–25 (Message)

The protection of those who abide under the shadow of the Almighty should wipe away all unwarranted fear:

- With God as our shield, we need not dread human or demonic opposition.
- With God as our refuge, we should not fear and we cannot fall.

Notice the word SURELY

SURELY He will save you…
SURELY He will cover you…
SURELY you will not fear…
SURELY you will not fall…
SURELY you will see the punishment of the wicked…
SURELY He will command His angels to lift you up…
SURELY you will overcome Satan!

GOD HAS A PROMISE: ‘WE ARE NOT SAFE BECAUSE WE HOPE SO BUT BECAUSE GOD SAYS SO’

Our safety is only as certain as the guarantee of the God who promises it.

- Just as a buyer is assured by a written guarantee from the manufacturer
- So we are assured by God’s personal promise to protect us in verses 14-16

But the promise is not for everybody.

God is speaking to us about the requirements for those who would know this kind of safety and security in every unsafe and insecure circumstance of life.

- What is the requirement?
- How is the price?
- How much will it cost us?

It is love… a love set upon God which is the distinguishing mark of those whom the Lord secures from troubles.

- It is to love Him with ALL our heart: PASSIONATELY
- It is to love Him with ALL our soul: PERSONALLY
- It is to love Him with ALL our mind: PURPOSEFULLY
- It is to love Him with ALL our strength: PRACTICALLY

Can we even consider loving God a sacrifice? The Bible says those of us who have been forgiven much love much!

God promises 7 ‘I will’

1. I will deliver him
2. I will set him on high
3. I will answer him
4. I will be with him in trouble
5. I will honor him
6. I will satisfy him with long life
7. I will show him My Salvation

God promises not only His protection from disaster but also His presence in danger.

- The three young Hebrew men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were not alone in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace (Dan. 3:25), nor was Daniel alone in the lion’s den (Dan. 6:22).
- Jesus appeared to Paul during the night as he was imprisoned, threatened by an angry mob (Acts 23:11).

Uncategorized Christianity, Cornerstone, daniel chua, faith, Protection, sermon, the City Church

I shared my first Father’s Day Message to the crowd at The City yesterday. We had an encouraging turn out and about 8 fathers in the service. Enjoyed telling stories about my kids and the mistakes I have made as a rookie-dad.

Here’s an excerpt of the message. Ask ourselves then: are we provoking our children? 

Ephesians 6:1 – 4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (NASB)

Colossians 3:20 –21

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (NKJV)

In both passages Paul said “Children, obey your parents.”

This clearly teaches that mothers as well as fathers are to be obeyed. Mothers and fathers have a shared authority over the children. Children are to do what parents say.

But there is a peculiar role that the Scripture gives to husbands and fathers. The father is the spiritual leader in the family. We are called to reflect divine values to our children. We are the symbol and representative of God’s authority to our children.

“Do not provoke your children”

However Paul cautions the fathers against the misuse of their God-given authority. Paul calls this misuse “provoking” them. In both letters he commanded the fathers” “Do not provoke your children.”

Fathers might treat their children in such a way that “they become discouraged”. The word implies losing heart, being listless, spiritless, disinterested, moody and with a kind of blank resignation toward life.

Paul used a stronger word in Ephesians 6:4 – ANGER!

EMO Kids

These words aptly described a good number of teenagers. We are seeing a rise of the EMO kids:

- Stereotype for a kid (13-19) who has a lower tolerance for sad emotions
- Feels inadequate of their own personal worth (feels like they aren’t good enough).
- Many EMOS feel so depressed that they resort to cutting to themselves.
- It is known that EMOS have a kind of rule that 2/5 of their face must be covered by hair, although it is actually a subconscious feeling of wanting to cover up their sadness (eyes).
- “What is the point of my life?” and “I hate everything.”

So let’s ask, then, what do fathers do that provoke children to long-term discouragement and hopelessness?

There are at least 8 ways we may consciously or unconsciously provoke our children:

i. When we do not love their mothers.
ii. When we say one thing and do another.
iii. When we are always blaming and never praising.
iv. When we show favoritism in the home (Isaac and Rebekah; Jacob and Joseph).
v. When we make promises and not keeping them.
vi. When we heap unrealistic expectations on them.
vii. When we compare them unreasonably to others.
viii. When we are consistent and unfair in discipline.

There are many instructors but very few true fathers. Let’s strive to become fathers that are like the Heavenly Father!

Uncategorized fathers day, sermon

Obedience is a proof of Lordship. ‘Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord and do not do what I say’ (Matthew 7:21)… And it is an interesting thought that the goal of teaching is obedience! Matthew 28:19.

KINGDOM MANIFESTO

The Sermon on the Mount is sometimes thought of as Jesus’ “Kingdom Manifesto.” It expresses the spiritual implications of the rule of Jesus in our lives and shows us how we will live when Jesus is our Lord. God’s kingdom is countercultural and Christian spirituality is totally upside down!

We lose our life to find it. (Matthew 10:39)
Slavery leads to freedom. (Romans 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:22)
The foolish are wise. (1 Corinthians 3:18; cf. 4:10)
The poor are rich. (James 2:5)
The weak are strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
We die to live. (2 Corinthians 4:10)
We give to receive. (Acts 20:35)
The first are last and the last are first. (Mark 9:35)
Turning the other cheek, going the second mile, giving the spare coat, washing feet, heap blessings on those who curse you, living without anger, laying down your life!

THE PATHWAY TO THE BLESSED LIFE IS PARADOXICAL!

The last word of the OT is the word ‘CURSED’ and Jesus began His sermon with an announcement of blessings. Jesus is saying here that living this paradoxical lifestyle is our pathway to a joy that is self contained – a truly blessed life.

HUMILITY
We can sum up the first three beatitudes in one word ‘Humility.’ And Humility is essential for our spiritual growth. There is no progress in the Christian life without humility. We just stagnate in God.

DOWN AND UP

1) Down

‘Down’ is not a good word in our fast-paced society. Words that are related to it are not the kind of words that we like to hear: Down and out; downfall; down-hill; down-hearted; downcast; down syndrome; downgrade; downtrodden, down payment; and worse of all, down under.

Down is a word that’s reserved for the weak; for the poor; for the unfortunate and losers.

2) Up

‘Up’ is a word we all loved. It is a word to be admired, to be pursued after. And words associated with it are words that people like hear: Upscale, up-market, upwardly mobile, upper class, up and coming, upbeat, upgrade, uptake, up town, etc. Why do you think they call the soft drink label 7- up; not 7- down?

You have to climb the corporate ladder. Up, as far as this world is concern is the direction of greatness. There is no other way. You ascend to fame, to money, to power, to comfort, and to pleasure.

TRUE GREATNESS

What does God have to say about greatness? Phil 2: 5- 8 Christ does not discourage the pursuit of greatness; he just radically realigns it. Paul’s message in Phil 2 is simply this: If you want to be truly great, then the direction you must go is down.  In other words, you must descend into greatness.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT HUMILITY

James 4:10 Notice it says, “Humble your-self.” In other words, you do it!  God’s not going to do it for you. You are the one that needs to be humbled.

1 Peter 5:5

The word translated “clothe” in the NKJV is actually to put on precisely a certain type of apron. It was an apron that was only worn by slaves. Let it be apparent that you are a servant. Wear the clothing that marks you out as a servant.

Then the rest of verse 5 says: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Pride is the desire for attention and praise from others. It means being at the center of the world and having everyone look to us, and acknowledge us as superior. It means raising a finger in the air and saying, “I’m number 1″ and “I’m the greatest.” God says repeatedly that he detests this pride. “I abhor the pride of Jacob” (Amos 6:8).

1 Peter 5:6

It is God who determines the time when you are lifted up, not you. Jesus didn’t raise Himself from the tomb. He waited for His Father to do it! One of the biggest tests in our life is to humble ourselves and wait for God to respond. And sometimes He takes longer than we think He should.

EXAMPLES OF THE HUMBLE IN THE BIBLE

1. Abraham and Lot (Gen 13:14-18)

Abram could never have seen his inheritance until he had made that decision. When you humble yourself, God will take care of the consequences!

2. Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-29)

Because Ahab humbled himself before the Almighty and this is a law that works all the time: God gives grace to the humble but He resists the proud all the time.

3. Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Naaman thought that he could come to God in a big way on riding on his chariot! But he learnt that the way to approach God is to humble yourself.

4. James and John – The Two Sons of Thunder (Matthew 20:20-28)

The 10 were greatly displeased because they all wanted the job. There was nobody amongst the 12 that had pure motives. Jesus explained how the kingdom operates.

THREE WAYS TO WEAKEN PRIDE AND CULTIVATE HUMILITY

The first three beatitudes show us three ways we can weaken pride and cultivate humility:

1. Begin the day acknowledging your complete dependence on God. The word translated “poor” in Matthew 5:3 speaks of “cowering like a beggar.” The poor in spirit recognize that they have no spiritual “assets.” They know they are spiritually bankrupt.
2. Remember the cross. Jesus used the strongest word for mourning. It is defined as the kind of grief that cannot be hidden. One of the great functions of the cross is to open the eyes of men and women to the horror of sin. And when we see sin in all its horror, we cannot do anything else but to experience intense sorrows for our sin.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride. Isaac Watts

3. Willingly accepts and submits to the will of God without resistance.  Meek is a regular word for an animal which has been domesticated. It is the word for an animal which has learned to accept control. The strongest man to ever walk the earth said ‘Not My will but Your Will be done’. That means betrayal, pain and separation from His father, shame, humiliation and ultimately death. Yet He opened not His mouth like a lamb led to the slaughter.

PROMISES FOR THE HUMBLE

God Will Not Despise the Worship of the Humble. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken spirit and a contrite heart, o God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

God Makes His Presence Known to the Humble. “For this is what the high and lofty one says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

The Humble Gets God’s attention. It draws the gaze of our sovereign God (Isaiah 66:2). The trappings of religion do not attract God’s gracious gaze. Humility does.

The Humble Pleases God. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God! Micah 6:8

Uncategorized humility, Outline, sermon, singapore, The City

I love quotes! One of the ways I study a subject is to read what others have to say about that particular subject. In preparing for my sermon on Humility I have been tremendously blessed by these sayings – classic and contemporary. I believe you will also be blessed! Enjoy…

Humility Quotes

Two things are needed to humble us. First let us consider God in his greatness, glory, holiness, power, majesty, and authority. Second, let us consider ourselves in our mean, abject, and sinful condition. John Owen

Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue. And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil.  Andrew Murray

I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above another and the taller we grow, the easier we can reach them. Now, I find, that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath another and the lower we stoop, the more we get.  F. B. Meyer

A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit humility. D. L. Moody

I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but my chief duty is to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. Helen Keller

The smallest things become great when God requires them of us; they are small only in themselves; they are always great when they are done for God. Francois Fenelon

Be not proud of race, face, place, or grace. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The meek man will attain a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings. A.W. Tozer

A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle. Fr. James Keller

Whatever makes us feel superior to other people, whatever tempts us to convey a sense of superiority, that is the gravity of our sinful nature, not grace.  Phillip Yancey

Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness. The flesh whines against service but it screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. Richard Foster

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Amy Carmichael

Blessed the man and woman who is able to serve cheerfully in the second rank — a big test. Mary Slessor

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. Saint Augustine

Do you wish people to think well of you? Don’t speak well of yourself. Blaise Pascal

Humility is nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves. William Law

Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. C.S. Lewis

There is no room for God in him who is full of himself. Martin Buber

We’d like to be humble…but what if no one notices? John Ortberg

We must make humility the chief thing we admire in Him. Andrew Murray

A humble knowledge of ourselves is a surer way to God than is the search for depth of learning. Thomas a’Kempis

Without humility of heart all the other virtues by which one runs toward God seem — and are — absolutely worthless.  Angela of Foligno

Let’s put on the cloak of humility. This is Christlikeness!

Uncategorized Bible, christian, humility, quotes, sermon

I am writing this entry in my hotel room at Cornerstone Annual Family Camp in Melaka, Malaysia. It is interesting that one of the speakers at the camp, Dr Tamara Winslow, taught on the importance of foundations tonight because that was exactly what I spoke on in our first service at The City last Sunday! Thought I could have done better preaching but believed that God moved in hearts anyhow.

Here are the key points from my message ‘Builders Wanted’:

1. All of us are building something – our spiritual life, relationships, career and ministry.

2. Anything built without the right foundation is merely a tourist attraction.

3. Only storms reveal the nature of your foundation. Our foundation must be formed before the storms come.

4. One important fact about the foundation: it is hidden, underground and usually unsightly. It represents the unseen areas of our lives.

‘So we fix out eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal 2 Corinthians 4:18

• And the unseen areas in out lives are more important than the seen!
• All the vital organs in our bodies are hidden. We can survive without a hand, an eye, with 2 fingers missing etc… but we need the heart to live, the lungs to go on breathing.
• Yet we pay so much more attention on the seen and neglect the unseen! We spend hundreds of dollars on health clubs, gyms, cosmetic surgery, regular facials etc.

What are some of the unseen areas of our lives?

a. Our Character – it is who we are when no one is looking

b. Good works that are done in secret

c. Our Family Life – the way we treat our parents and siblings at home

d. Our Devotional Life – Prayer and Fasting

5. The church is a building, but the fabric of the building is made up people, and the foundation of the building is Jesus.

6. The church is not so much something we do but something we are.

7. Why are we building The City Church? We build because our motivation for the work is that God may be glorified. We’re not like the people who built the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4. Those people said, “Come let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves.”

8. In Nehemiah 3 we see every man committed to the work. Don’t be like the Tekoite Nobles that wouldn’t stoop to serve their Lord. To stoop is the posture of humility. These nobles were just too proud.

We can all play a part in building the church by:

a. Loving everyone who walks through our doors every week.

b. Serving in a ministry that may seem mundane and hidden.

c. Encouraging members and leaders through FB Wall Posts, notes and cards.

How can you serve the vision of your church?

Uncategorized Building, Foundations, Nehemiah, sermon, The City Church Singapore