Sermon "Jesus Preaches and is Rejected on Home Ground" (Luke 4:14-30) by Pastor Linus Chua at PCC in Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging sermon "Jesus Preaches and is Rejected on Home Ground" from God's Words, the Bible, from the book of Luke 4:14-30 that my Church's pastor, Pastor Linus Chua, preached during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 16 March 2025 Evening worship service at 5:30pm. 

Luke 4:14-30 (King James Version / KJV)

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

 

May you be blessed by God's Words!

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards,
Nancie 
14 April 2025

Sermon "The Power of the Mob, of the Sword and of Christ" (Acts 21:37 - 22:29) by Pastor JJ Lim at PCC Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging sermon "The Power of the Mob, of the Sword and of Christ" from God's Words, the Bible, from the book of Acts 21:37 - 22:29 that my Church's pastor, Pastor JJ Lim, preached during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 6 April 2025 Evening worship service at 5:30pm. Below, are the expositions:

Acts 21:37-22:29 (King James Version / KJV)

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Acts 22

 

1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

 

May you be blessed by God's Words!

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!  

Best Regards,
Nancie 
8 April 2025

God is our Protector : The Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)

I took this photo at a flowers exhibition more than 10 years ago.

Dear Reader, 

Thank you for stopping by.

I would like to share with you the following encouraging writing by CH Spurgeon in his devotional "Morning and Evening" for 3 Dec, Evening, that I read:

"The Lord mighty in battle." Psalm 24:8

Well may our God be glorious in the eyes of his people, seeing that he has wrought such wonders for them, in them, and by them. 

For them, the Lord Jesus upon Calvary routed every foe, breaking all the weapons of the enemy in pieces by his finished work of satisfactory obedience; by his triumphant resurrection and ascension he completely overturned the hopes of hell, leading captivity captive, making a show of our enemies openly, triumphing over them by his cross. 

Every arrow of guilt which Satan might have shot at us is broken, for who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? 

Vain are the sharp swords of infernal malice, and the perpetual battles of the serpent's seed, for in the midst of the church the lame take the prey, and the feeblest warriors are crowned.

The saved may well adore their Lord for his conquests in them, since the arrows of their natural hatred are snapped, and the weapons of their rebellion broken. 

What victories has grace won in our evil hearts! 

How glorious is Jesus when the will is subdued, and sin dethroned! 

As for our remaining corruptions, they shall sustain an equally sure defeat, and every temptation, and doubt, and fear, shall be utterly destroyed. 

In the Salem of our peaceful hearts, the name of Jesus is great beyond compare: he has won our love, and he shall wear it. 

Even thus securely may we look for victories by us. 

We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

We shall cast down the powers of darkness which are in the world, by our faith, and zeal, and holiness; we shall win sinners to Jesus, we shall overturn false systems, we shall convert nations, for God is with us, and none shall stand before us. 

This evening let the Christian warrior chant the war song, and prepare for to-morrow's fight. 

Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

The full verse is:

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." Psalm 24:8

(Excerpts from: CH Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 3 December, Evening. The paragraphing are mine.)

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a blessed day! 

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Best Regards,

Nancie 

3 December 2024

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Comforts and Encouragements Even amidst the Storms of Life

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Below, is a very encouraging prayer that my friend shared with me. The prayer is quoted from a Devotional "Even amidst the storms of life!" on the website of Grace Gems. 

This prayer is very encouraging and comforting to me. It reminds me of the love of God for His beloved people who are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His sovereignty in their life no matter what happens to them or whatever they are going through in the various changing scenes of their life. The Lord Jesus loves His people with an everlasting love and is faithfully working all things to His own glory and the good of His beloved people.

May God use this prayer and the devotional to encourage and comfort you, and for your eternal good. If you are facing difficulties and your are hurting, grieving and or in pain, may God comforts you through His Words and this devotional by Grace Gems. 

If you are not a Christian yet, may God use His Words and this Devotional to lead you to seek after the Lord Jesus, to know His saving gra, to love Him and experience His lovingkindness, tender mercies and unfailing sovereignty through the changing scenes in your life. 

"Heavenly Father,

Help me to trust in Thy unerring wisdom in all things. Remind me that Thy ways are higher than my ways, and that every situation I face is under Thy sovereign control. When I feel beaten down and discouraged, help me to meditate on Thy precious promises, and find peace in the knowledge that Thou art indeed working all things for my soul's benefit. May I learn to embrace whatever Thou ordain for me, knowing that all is for Thy glory, and my eternal good. In Jesus' name, Amen." 

The above prayer is quoted from a Devotional "Even amidst the storms of life!" on the website of Grace Gems foe 22 September 2024. It is under the category of  Puritan Devotional. The Scriptures are from Ephesians 1:3-4; Romans 8:28. 

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephesians 1:3-4 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

To read the whole devotional and other devotionals on Grace Gems Website:

https://www.gracegems.org/Grace_Gems.htm

To listen to the audio Reading of this devotional article Online or Download it:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gracegems/sermons/9232435476634/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

2 October 2024

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Comfort from God's Word

God's love

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: Psalm 146:8

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Ephesians 2:4-7
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

God's Faithfulness

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generation; …. Deuteronomy 7:9

(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. Deuteronomy 4:31

He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Psalm 105:8

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) … Hebrews 10:23

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, …. 2 Peter 3:9

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever. Psalm 119:160

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: … Psalm 119:89, 90

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Psalm 89:34

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10

… yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:11