YF welcomes all youth from ages 11-19.
YF meets every Saturday at Room 5 from 4-6pm.
We are embarking on a study on the Epistle of James
3/3 : Doers of the Word (1:19-2:13)
10/3: Faith without works is dead (2:14-26)
17/3: No man can tame the tongue (3:1-17)
24/3: Humble yourselves before the Lord (3:18-4:17)
31/3: Youth’s gathering at Ps. Greg home
7/4 : The Judge is standing at the door (5:1-20)
For further information, please contact Ps Greg Lim 012-2113711

YA meets every Friday in church @ Room 5 between 7.30-9.45pm
We will fellowship over a light dinner follow by worship, group study and discussion. For the next 8 weeks YA will learn about “7 Laws for Life” based on Selwyn Hughes’ resources. It covers an introduction and 7 keys principles for living the Christian life and challenge our world views. These principles have such inevitable consequences that they deserve to be classed as laws-as reliable as the laws of nature.
9/3 : 7 Laws-An Introduction
16/3: Put first thing first
24/3: Count your blessing
30/3: YA gathering at Ps. Greg home
6/4 : Keep on keeping on
13/4 : Remember to forget
20/4 : Give yourselves to others
27/4 : Stay close to God
4/5 : Cultivate your soul.

For further information, kindly contact Ps Greg Lim at 012-2113711.

1.“ Being a biblical woman in her world “
We would like to encourage all women to come and join us for our next meeting:
Date: 24th March , 2012. Time: 6.30 to 9.00 pm.
Place: Fellowship Hall

Contact:
1. Mei- Lynn Chan – 012 242 9092
2 Mei Leng Lim – 012 211 3751
3. Rosie Choong – 017 294 0800
4. Chin Chin Liew – 016 2332463

We will be hearing from Mei Lynn Chan and Jan Hahn Jaskilka on being a biblical woman in her world. Learn from their experiences of how applying biblical principles help and equip them to face challenges of everyday live with confidence and joy.
2. Bible Study
We encourage all women to join a Bible study to grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of their Savior (2 Peter 3:18). We plan to commence the day bible study group, which will be meeting twice monthly (second and fourth Friday morning).
The first meeting will be held on the 16th March 2012 between 9.30 to 11.00 am.
Venue : St. Andrew’s Church , Room 5.
Those who have not signed up but are interested to join please contact Mei Leng Lim – 012 211 3751. A table will be set up in between services for sign up, please come visit us and find out more.

Selinna Chin
SC Yong
Pr Bob Weniger
Pr Richard Tok
Pr Gregory Lim
Ukpai Kalu
Danny Lum
Damelia Falentina
Beatrice Rodriguez
Kim Ying Thong

These are the agencies we are supporting (c/o care of) :-
ICM & Mobilization Network (c/o Gregory)
Malaysian Care (c/o Danny)
Green Pastures (c/o Selinna)
Help Home (c/o Kim Ying and Damelia)
Semoa (c/o Kalu)
Kairos Research (c/o SC Yong)

We welcome you to join us if ,you are a member of SAPC.

Contact Selinna Chin or SC Yong if you have the heart for missions, come join MCO.
Please feel free to approach the following brother or sister for more information and suggestions for Missions at SAPC.

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything

Sermon by Pr Richard Tok on 12 Mar 2012.

1 Peter 1:1-12; Hebrew 12:1-3, 22-24

1. Christians are Strangers in the World – the world is strange to him!

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood. (v1-2)

The first century church had spread from Jerusalem to other parts of the Roman World. Some were especially found in the region we call Turkey today, formerly Asia Minor – Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

The spread of the church was due to at least two reasons. On the Day of Pentecost traders and travelers who were in Jerusalem had been touched by the Holy Spirit. Traders and travelers who spoke the same language gathered together. They shared their new found faith and experience with each other in their own language. These first converts have since returned to their home districts where they came from.

Then as Peter expected, Roman authorities came down hard on Christians considering them an illegal sect. And Christians would not worship the emperor although Christians would submit to Roman law and order. Persecution in Jerusalem and other Roman controlled cities drove Christians away from the center of government and business. It was safer to be far from government controlled areas.

Out in the districts of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia were found communities of Christians. They were made up of local people, Gentiles. Jewish disciples of Jesus Christ have settled there too.

So, we can understand the opening words of Apostle Peter’s letter. He addressed them as “strangers in the world” and “scattered.” These words describe the conditions of the early Christians. Even though they returned to their own districts they felt strange. Things, people and environment have changed. Others were far from home, built new homes in unfamiliar surroundings and circumstances. The words “Strange” and “scattered” indicate a sense of uncertainty, insecurity, not at home and uncomfortable.

But there were words of assurance to the Jewish and Gentile Christians too. Apostle Peter recognized them as “God’s elect.” They were all under the supervision and protection of the Trinitarian God – God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. God had chosen them according to his foreknowledge. God had thought of them before they were even born. The Holy Spirit was gradually making them holy and godly. What God the Father and the Holy Spirit had done was to prepare them to obey Jesus Christ. They were washed and covered by blood of Jesus Christ. So they were under his protective care.

Christians should understand that they are “strangers in the world” and have a destination that is elsewhere. One day they are going to be at home in heaven where Jesus Christ is. They are also “elected’ and “chosen” by God, special and precious to Him. They are under his protection, preservation and provision.

2. Christians are Pilgrims. Going to Zion or Heaven. This world is not my Home!

1 Chronicles 29:15

We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.

Psalm 39:12

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.”

Hebrew 13:14

For here we do not have an enduring city, for we are looking for a city that is to come.

When Peter alerted the followers of Jesus Christ that they were like aliens, foreigners or strangers in a foreign land, the Jews were quick to understand the meaning and Peter’s intention. They very quickly prepared themselves for the long and hard road they had to travel. Their national history prepared them. They remembered their 400 years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. They were foreigners in Egypt and became migrants moving through the desert. At the end was the Promised Land. There were many lessons of life through 400 years of slavery and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God is faithful. He who promised is faithful!

1 Peter 1:4-5

…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Both Jewish and Gentile Christians learned that what they lived for in this life will perish, spoil and fade away. What God promised is kept in heaven. It is an inheritance that will not perish. We will receive it when we get to heaven. That means our ultimate destiny and destination is heaven. Christians are heaven bound. This body of clay will perish. Only the Spirit will return to be with God our Maker in heaven.

Jewish Christians remembered the Passover before the Exodus out of Egypt. They ate that meal standing – they were in a hurry, ready to go at short notice. Moses’ generation passed away in the desert and did not reach the Land of Promise. Joshua’s generation was persevered and claimed God’s promise. What Moses’ generation carried from Egypt perished with them in the wilderness. What was needed for life in the wilderness God provided – manna and meat from quail. Those things were perishables – a picture of the limited life span of things on earth.

We are dust and to dust we will return. Naked we came, naked we will leave. When we die our hands will be empty. We can take nothing with us. It is with those empty hands that we cling to the cross of Christ by faith. While here on earth every Christian is shielded by God’s power from any harmful attack. We can arm ourselves by wearing the armour of God and be defended from fiery arrows of the devil. We are all safe in the hollow of God’s hand and no one can pluck us out of his hand. So, here on earth God is our shield and defender. There in heaven God has kept for us an inheritance that will last forever.

John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Jesus spoke specifically to his troubled disciples. If they had been used to trusting God they had to learn to trust him. Seeing Jesus is seeing God the Father. Jesus taught them that He and the Father are one. He spoke and acted on behalf of His Father. So what Jesus said about his Father’s house and the many rooms were real and true. He was talking about a place he had gone to prepare. It is a place where we could be with him. He is going to take us there. Friends, heaven is not a make belief place!

Peter said heaven is where the Holy Spirit came from: 1 Peter 1:12

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying. “Now the dwelling of God himself is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of thins has passed away.

3. How should pilgrims live? Travel light, travel right!

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by a crowd of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

A Pilgrim travels light. He cannot afford to bring along with him all the luxuries of life. Even if he does bring along many favourite things, he has to drop them off. He would be weighed down and tired, he would not be able to carry them on the journey.

A runner cannot be in a suit and carry an opened umbrella in a race. All that would impede his movement. The first Olympic runners actually ran naked. Look at the statute of a Greek Olympian holding a discus – he is naked! The early Olympians competed without any clothes to hinder them.

Christians should not carry burdens in this life. He need not carry one. He should know that he need not be pressed down by the burden of sin. That burden will distress him. The Christian pilgrim cannot afford to carry his sins with him. All he has to do is to confess his sins and be forgiven. Let Jesus take them away form him and bless him with his righteousness. He must continually come to Jesus to unburden himself. Whenever a Christian confesses his sin God readily forgives and cleanses him from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Spiritually speaking we are being instructed not to invest anything on earth. If we did we would have a problem carrying it to heaven, where we are going. The actual fact is that earthly things have no place in heaven. Invest in heaven right away. Let your investment be there. When you get to heaven your investments would be waiting to welcome you.

More important is to understand that earthly things will decay and be destroyed. They do not last. Moth is an insect. Anything made from wool, fur or feather material can be eaten up by moth worms or caterpillars. Moth balls or naphthalene is usually placed in clothes cupboards as a protection or prevention against moth attacks. Think of the purchases we keep and did not use. What happened to them? Spoilt!

Rust is a fungus. It goes by that name because of the red rusty powdery appearance of the fungi. Things that may be affected by dampness will grow fungus. And fungal growth will feed on the things and destroy them. Rust is a serious threat in agriculture destroying crops. There is coffee rust, wheat or oat rust. Pine trees attacked by rust may die. Remember the farmer who planned to build new barns for his harvest. He was warned how his life might suddenly be terminated. What if his crop were to fail? Wouldn’t he be devastated?

If your investments are on earth your full attention will be on earth. Do not be distracted. Place your interest on heavenly things. Focus on heaven. We are advised to hold lightly to this earth as well as things of earth. Be prepared to let them go so that you can hold on to eternal and heavenly things. This earth will soon pass. We are dust and to dust we will return. Naked we came and naked we will go. “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling!”

Colossians 3:1-4

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The right way to live is to accept that you are not living for yourself anymore.

First of all your life is linked to Jesus Christ in his resurrection. He is seated on the throne in heaven. Your mind and heart should be oriented to where Christ is. Where is Christ? Heaven! Set your heart and mind on the things of heaven where Christ is.

Second, your life is linked to others

i) fellow pilgrims – encourage one another, carry each other’s burden

ii) non-pilgrims – befriend them and show them the way to heaven.

Establish good relationships with all of them.

Conclusion

Practically, how is this to be done? Travel right – right road and right rules.

Right Road: Hebrews 12:1-2, 2-24

We are marching to the heavenly Jerusalem. Do not lose your way.

1 Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

For the racer he has to keep to his lane in the track or he would be disqualified. For the pilgrim he has to keep to the right road otherwise he would never get to his journey’s end.

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Racer or pilgrim there is an end. They need to pace themselves with the destination in mind. Be focused. Know for sure where you are heading for.

3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and heart.

Whether we run in a race or trek the pilgrim road we are going to tire. We should be determined and not give up. More important is not to lose heart and give in to weariness. Press on.

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the loving God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect,

24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The Christian pilgrim will not be mistaken concerning his destination when he arrives. It is heaven, the city of God. His name is registered there. He will have no problem checking in. There to welcome him is none other than Jesus Christ the Lord Himself.

Right Rules: Read the rest of Colossians 3, verses 5-19

From these verses we are told to:

1. v5-6 put to death the earthly nature.

2. v7-11 do not live the way you lived before

3. v12-14 live as God’s chosen people

4. v15-17 be peaceful, thankful, worshipful, glorifying God

Look out for sign posts and use the road map – guide from God’s Word.

Look out for fellow pilgrims – be in partnership and fellowship, encouraging one another.

Know your personal pilgrim guide – He is the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Christ, your helper and comforter.

Rev. Richard Tok