Scripture Memory: Service.
VERSE : Galatians 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

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O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

24 December 2006
9.45 am Combined Christmas Praise Service:
Rev Timothy Ki (For Unto Us A Child Is Born)
8:00 pm Combined Carolling Service:
Rev Timothy Ki (Emmanuel: God With Us)

31 December 2006
8.00 am Worship Service:
Rev Colin Wong (God Said: "Go Forward")
10.45 am Worship Service:
Calvin Loh (Our Dwelling Place In All Generations)
10:30 pm Watchnight Service:
Rev Charles Seet (The End of All Things Is at Hand)

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About two thousand years ago, during the time of the Roman Empire, a wonderful event took place in the land of Israel. This significant event was to have a far reaching impact upon the whole world for ages to come. In the little city of Bethlehem of Judaea, a babe was born into this world in a lowly stable. As His first cries were heard in the quietness of the night, the rest of the world continued to go on as usual, quite unaware that this newborn babe was none other than God Himself. The Almighty Creator of all things entered into this world humbly as a man, that He might reconcile lost sinners back to Himself.

Today, that event has become the focus of the world’s attention at the same time each year. But its significance has been upstaged by the all the worldly festivities that accompany its celebration. It is a fact that Christmas has become a world-wide event. Everyone looks forward to it – not only children, but more so adults!

In Singapore tinsel decorations, glittering lights, and Christmas trees are put up everywhere, and especially at Orchard Road to promote tourism. Christmas cards and mail flood our post-offices. Children look forward to Christmas parties and presents. Carols and Christmas oratorios are sung by Christians and non-Christians alike and piped into every shopping mall.

The celebrations get fancier year after year. But in the midst of it all, the most important person is left out: The Lord Jesus Christ. The world today largely celebrates a Christless Christmas. It has taken over this event and robbed it of its true meaning. And most of the merry-making and celebration that goes on for this occasion does not glorify God. Let us know that Christ is the real meaning behind Christmas: It is meant to be a commemoration of His first coming into the world. And only those who know and believe in Jesus Christ can truly appreciate the significance of this event and rejoice in it!

And only those who know and believe in Jesus Christ will be able to rejoice on another day: the day when He returns to earth from Heaven! This day will be even more glorious than the day He was born in Bethlehem. At His first coming, Christ had come quietly as an unknown helpless babe in a manger. But this time He will come with loud fanfare, as an invincible conqueror. Satan will be defeated, the dead will be raised up and Christ will rule on earth.

But the strangest thing about Christ’s second coming is that the world will not be in a celebrating mood for it! Read what God’s Word says in Revelation 1:7 – "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." What a drastic contrast this will be to all the present merrymaking and fun-filled activities of Christmas! Christ’s second coming will cause the world to mourn and weep with great sadness. Why this difference?

Because the world is not ready for Him. Instead of honouring the Lord Jesus and believing in Him, the world has largely rejected Him, and continues to indulge in ungodly pleasure and material pursuits. To them, Christ is still a harmless babe in a manger. How shocked they will be to see Him now returning as the King of kings to bring the wrath of God on the entire world! They will not be prepared at all to face Him.

Matthew 24:38,39 says, "For as in the days before that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."

And this great event may take place very soon. Jesus has already told us to watch out for the signs of His coming, and they are appearing at the present time, as world events develop. With the nation of Israel now in its 58th year, the 7-year peace pact of the Antichrist may not be too far off (Daniel 9:27). With the use of fast-speed travel and communications, the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom is now well underway (Matthew 24:14). With the increased tolerance toward immorality and the legalisation of perverse marriage unions, the perilous times where iniquity abounds has virtually arrived (Matthew 24:12; 2 Timothy 3:1)!

With the globalisation of the world economy and increased efforts of nations to unite against common threats like terrorism, the stage is being set for the beginning of a new world order under the Antichrist. With the rapid computerisation of all economies and increased regulation of all monetary transactions, it is only a matter of time that no one will be able to buy or sell anything without having a special identification code (cf. Revelation 13:17).

Each of these developments may not seem prophetically significant to us by themselves, but when they are seen together, they spell out an important message: The time of Christ’s appearing is at hand! It would be a terrible mistake for us to ignore them.

Do you remember what the sign of Christ’s first coming was? It was the new star that appeared in the sky. When the wise men in the east saw it, they immediately knew that the King of the Jews had been born in Israel, and so they prepared themselves to go and meet Him.

Let us be like those wise men and get ourselves ready to meet the Lord and worship Him at His second coming. Christ has already warned us to watch out for the signs of His coming, and now they are steadily appearing. Do you know that waiting for Christ to return and making sure that we are ready for it, is actually part of Christian living? Titus 2:11-13 tells us that the grace of God teaches us to look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Turning to Christ for salvation means, among other things, making a firm commitment to wait for the return of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10 shows this – "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead." We are saved to serve God and to wait for His Son to come!

And so the question we should now consider is: Are you ready for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps this present season may be the best time for you to take stock of your life, instead of letting yourself be carried away by all the revelry, feasting and merrymaking around you. Are you committed to wait patiently for Christ to return? Will you be happy or sad to see Him?

What should you do now? Firstly, you must ensure that you are truly born again (John 3:3). Secondly, be spiritually alert and not asleep (cf. Matthew 24:42-22). Thirdly, occupy yourself with gainful service to the Lord (cf. Matthew 24:45-47). And fourthly, seek to win the lost before Jesus Christ comes to judge the nations (John 4:35). There is so little time left and there is so much to be done for the Lord. When will you begin? —CS

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I question if Christmas can ever be "merry"

Except to the heart of an innocent child.

For when time has taught us the meaning of sorrow

And sobered the spirits that once were so wild,

When all the green graves that lie scattered behind us

Like milestones are marking the length of the way,

And echoes of voices that no more shall greet us

Have saddened the chimes of the bright Christmas Day.

We may not be merry, the long years forbid it,

The years that have brought us such manifold smarts,

But we may be happy, if only we carry

The Spirit of Christmas deep down in our hearts.

Threefold is the Spirit, thus blending together

The faith of the shepherds who came to the King;

And, knowing naught else but the angel’s glad message,

Had only their faith to His cradle to bring;

The hope of the Wise Men that rose like the Daystar,

To lighten the centuries’ midnight of wrong.

And the love of the Child in the manger low-lying,

So tender and patient, so sweet and so strong.

Hence I shall not wish you the old "Merry Christ-mas",

Since that is of shadowless childhood a part,

But one that is holy and happy and peaceful,

The Spirit of Christmas deep down in your heart.

- A. J. Flint -

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1) Life B-P Church Calendar 2007: Members who wish to have additional calendars as Christmas gifts for their friends and loved ones may request for up to 3 additional ones from the deacons.

2) Catechism Class for Easter 2007 baptism begins 14 Jan 07 with Rev Colin Wong at Chinese Svc Hall, 9.30 am. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the Catechism Class.

3) Scripture Memory Verses 2007 - "O For a Closer Walk with God": Memory verse booklets are available at the front counter. Free Audio CD recordings of the verses will be given upon request.

4) The YF and YAF sincerely invites all, especially the ex-YFers/YAFers to join our annual thanksgiving anniversary service on 31 Dec 06, 7pm at the Chinese Service Hall. Dinner will be provided at the end of the service. Theme: "But Continue Thou". Speaker: Elder Ng Beng Kiong.

5) The Library: Lifers are encouraged to visit the Library which is open every Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45 pm. There are about 3,000 Christian books for all ages!

6) Our condolences to Yiew Pong Sen and family on the demise of his father, Yiew Kim Kong, 88 yrs, on 20 Dec 06.

Preaching appointments: Rev Seet at Gospel Light BPC Camp, 25-28 Dec 06.