Growing together in one big happy family

One big happy family...

There are times when just a casual hug or a toothy grin may not be enough to show care and concern. After Allen left, I felt that it is necessary to address this whole new dimension of what it means to be a part of this one big happy family. Do we really know what it means... Biblically speaking... So I began digging deeper into the Word of God for answers... What to do, how to react when the big happy family is not so happy...

When we lose a loved one...

One of the most famous phrases in the Bible is "Jesus wept" when his good friend Lazarus passed away. We know this familiar story of how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead... But before Lazarus resurrected, there's much to learn and apply in our own lives...

John 11:17-37

1. Friends and neighbours come to comfort the two sisters
2. Jesus’ willingness to talk with Martha when she needed consoling
3. Jesus doesn’t burden Mary with words but finds himself overwhelmed and weeps together with her
4. The hope of resurrection Jesus offers

When someone is caught with a serious sin...

Recently, during cell group leaders meeting with Ps Chong Hiang, someone asked whether it was appropriate for a practising homosexual to attend our church... eventhough the person knows the church stand that homosexuality is a sin and refuses to repent. Pastor's reply was it's only when there are sinners among us that we learn acceptance. We are always against the sin, not against the sinner.

John 8:4-10

"Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone."

The classic verse taken from the story where the Pharisees try to challenge Jesus' authority and wanted him to stone the adulterous woman.

1. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that sin is sin... no matter how big the sin is, and they have sinned just like she has sinned
2. Jesus did not compare His own righteousness with hers, although He was eligble to cast the stone
3. Judgement and punishment belong to God
4. Love and forgiveness is better than blind execution of the law

When healing is needed...

Jesus did all sorts of miracles to teach us that with God there is no limit. I am always amazed at how the crippled man was healed because his loyal friends had the faith to bring him to Jesus. When one of us is weak, let the rest of us be strong...

Luke 5:17-20

1. The crippled man could not have done it by himself
2. The friends took extreme measures and risked their own lives to bring him to Jesus
3. The friends put their own interests aside for the sake of their brother
4. Jesus heals... anyhow, for any reason... if only we believe!

When there is trouble...

My favourite verse regarding Peter's imprisonment is found in Acts 12:5 "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying very hard to God for him." What a wonderful miracle happened when the angel of the Lord came and set him free. Peter just walked out and walked "home".

Acts 12:1-19

1. The believers prayed hard... not just Peter's best friends... but the church...
2. The brothers and sisters persevered in prayer despite the fact that James had been killed.
3. God sends His angels to do His work - no violence needed from the believers.
4. Unity of prayer does make a difference