PENTECOST • 7

How will we respond to God’s presence and grace in our lives?

SONGS FOR PRAYER

SET PRAYER

Psalm 25:1-10

(Pray this together as one voice to close your LG meeting this week)

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
    let me not be put to shame;
    let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.


reading for: Tuesday Night, 12 July

Luke 10:38-42

How is our posture towards God?

  • READ

    41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

    The story is a short and familiar one, but at the same time filled with rich treasures as well as easy misinterpretations. Jesus is invited by Martha to her home and comes under her roof. Martha gets caught up busying herself with playing host to Jesus. Meanwhile, her sister Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him. Martha gets angry, accuses Jesus of not caring, and subsequently proceeds to tell Jesus to ask Mary to help her with the hosting rather than leaving her ‘all alone’ to do all the work. It is not far-fetched to infer that she was also angry with Jesus for seemingly insensitively allowing this to take place and while perhaps neglecting her efforts to host Him. The details of Martha’s exact inner thoughts are not defined as it is likely not the writer’s focus. Luke however included that Jesus acknowledged her feelings but counsels her to the one thing that is required.

    What is this one thing? What was Martha distracted from? And what is the context of Jesus’ counsel?

    While Jesus may not have spelled out what that ‘one thing’ is in terms we understand today, the text points us to the fact that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to what He was saying. This phrase ‘sit at the feet of’ Jesus is significant because this phrase indicates the posture taken by a disciple before their Rabbi, just like how Paul was educated ‘at the feet of’ Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). This provides us also with the context by which Jesus offers His response to Martha – He was counselling them both as His disciples. Effectively He was saying, the one quintessential thing as a disciple of mine is to be rightly postured to Him as a disciple ought to. In ending, it is also noteworthy because of the great favour and honour bestowed by Jesus to these two women, all the more in a culture where women were seen as lesser and only males from wealthier or more prestigious backgrounds had Rabbis.   

  • REFLECT

    This story was never a matter of prayer or worship being more important than service or hospitality. Rather, this story exhorts that as gloriously chosen and favoured disciples what matters most is that we first abide in Him for it is then that our fruits will be ones that last and that our joy will be complete (see John 15). Martha misses the plot so colossally that she even assumes to tell Jesus what He ought to say and do.

    However, let us note that Martha actually serves as a mirror for us to see that this is often who we default to. We regularly neglect our alignment with God and drown our lives busyness, self-indulgence, and even many other ‘good’ things. Today’s scripture urges us to consider our lives and to take an alignment check. What has been our posture and relationship with God been like? Are we anything like disciples ought to be? Wherever we may be at, let us simply start with the one thing that Jesus requires of us.

    God has graciously chosen to come under our roof and to abide in us as His temple. It was by nothing less than Jesus’ atoning sacrifice we have found favour in His eyes and have been privileged to be invited to follow Him as His disciple.

    Take a moment to allow that to sink in and let us make space right to moment to consider how have we been responding to this blessed privilege? Make time to take an authentic look at our lives and let us come boldly to His throne of grace.

    Listen to the song “Making a difference (Won’t You Lord)” by City Harvest Church:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrPMxtUeONE&t=10s

    Sing it as a prayer and worship. Invite the Holy Spirit to take a look at our hearts, hands and lives and cry out to Him afresh with a renewed fire for all that He is and His holy calling in our lives.

    How will we respond moving forward? Ask the Holy Spirit for His grace to move forward afresh with Him. Share about how this may look like moving forward in your life with your Life Group mates or discipleship group accountability partners. Take that next tiny step forward this very week and let us continue to improve our CNL daily rhythms as it is designed to help us to make space for God throughout the day. Let us not focus on our failures but remember that “His grace is sufficient for us, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).”  

reading for: Wednesday Night, 13 July

Genesis 18:1-10

How is our worship of God?

  • READ

    In today’s reading, we are invited to look at yet another short story with precious truths. Like yesterday’s reading, we also find the theme of hosting God presence with some similarities but also helpful differences. First, we find that like Martha, Abraham invited the Lord (interestingly in the form of three visitors much like our triune God) to come under his hospitality. Secondly, like with Martha, Abraham was met in return with favour and honour as these three visitors agreed. Thirdly, like with Martha, at least on the surface, Abraham quickly gets down to doing things customary to hosting honoured guests. However, we find that the posture and the fruits of his service or worship (shown through the details in the story) is very different from that account of Martha.

    Firstly, while we are given little details of how Martha approached Jesus, we know that Abraham approached his Guests with much reverence and honour, bowing down and humbly requesting (if they have found favour) that they allow him to show hospitality to them. Secondly, this humility and reverence is backed by what he offers them and actually gives them – they are offered water to wash their feet, a place to rest, and the finest of food across the line (v6-7). Whether it was bread, curd and milk, or meat, they were made from the finest ingredients as well as the choicest meat back in the day (equivalent to A5 beef in today’s standards). Thirdly, the story records that even while they ate Abraham stayed near them (v8) suggesting attentiveness to them, much like a waiter in a fine dining restaurant or your personal butler or ‘Alfred’ to Batman.

    All these points compared to Martha’s response and demands to Jesus shows a contrast in posture and service. Finally, while Martha was met with correction, Abraham was met with privy insight into God’s plans to fulfil His promises to Abraham shared with him in advance (see more about promises in previous chapters).   

    While it is tempting to conclude a transactional meaning to the account above, one must recognize that the promise from God was already given prior to this. Also, that Abraham humble posture at the beginning of the account acknowledges that all blessings or privy revelations given to him are entirely because of God’s unmerited favour towards him (v3).

    Rather, today’s account reinforces yesterday’s reading by their contrast of Abraham and Martha. What’s more, it showcases a life lived out worshipfully before the Lord.     

  • REFLECT

    Consider the beautiful picture of Abraham’s worship before the Lord preserved for us in scripture. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to live out of a place of reverence, honour, and love afresh this day. Listen to the song ‘Move your heart’ by Maverick City and let the words of the song be a prayer and worship onto the Lord. And as you worship, invite the Holy Spirit to bring to mind all the areas of your life that He is inviting you to pour out as a spilled offering unto Him. Let’s come back afresh to a place of worship unto the Lord in all facets of our lives as the Holy Spirit shows you more and more how awesome, holy, and worthy He is.

reading for: Thursday Night, 14 July

Colossians 1:15-28

Is Jesus the centre of your life?

  • READ

    Today’s reading opens with a Messianic poem structured in two stanzas (v15-17 and v18-20). This Messianic poem sets the tone for the rest of the letter to the Colossians and for us to appreciate our reading for today. The Christians at Colossae were facing immense pressure from the polytheistic (i.e. where there is many gods and religions) society and proponents for the observance of the law of the Torah without the light of Jesus Christ. Paul’s writing was intentional in exhorting them to be uncompromising in their faith and reminding them of the fullness of the Gospel they have received.

    The first stanza exalts Jesus as the image of the invisible God and firstborn over all creation (v15). Why is being the firstborn significant? Because contextually it signifies legitimacy for sonship and rulership over all (v16). It also simply speaks of being before all things and that Jesus was cornerstone essential to the creation of all other things (v17). It is also in Him that all things are created and in case it was not clear, Paul defines that this includes all things in Heaven and on Earth (v16) pointing to the Genesis creation narrative and that He was with God in beginning. The second stanza (v18-20) goes on to speak of Jesus’ authority and supremacy over the new creation church body that we are all a part of (v18). Also, that He approved by God and that God was pleased to have the entirety of His fullness dwell in Him (v19). And that through Jesus all things on Earth and in Heaven will be reconciled by making peace through His blood shed on the cross (v20).

    Jesus is God who was, and is, and is to come. He is the Alpha and the Omega and the one by which we have all been reconciled to a position of unmerited favour and love from God.

    Therefore, Paul encourages them to stand firm in their faith knowing that He who delivered them and reconciled them to God will bring to completion the good work He began in them and present them as holy, without blemish and accusation before God (v21-23). Paul goes on to end this portion telling them that he considers his present suffering a privilege as he gets to partake in the suffering that His Lord went through for the sake of them who is Jesus’ beloved church, His very own body (v24). Not only that but that they, the Lord’s people have been granted a precious reality and mystery which is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (v27).  

    This is the Jesus and Gospel that Paul proclaims, not only the immensity of who Jesus is (v15-20), but also that Jesus has chosen to come under our roof and have His fullness dwell in us through His Holy Spirit (v27). This truly is a reality and mystery for which we ought to cry out ‘How can it be?’, and the unshakable hope by which we all now stand and hold on to. We will be made glorious with Jesus if we stand firm in our faith and choose to respond in abiding in Jesus (v23).       

  • REFLECT

    Dear family and friends in Christ, Jesus has paid the price in full, and we now have unmerited favour and grace from God. We have all been given the Holy Spirit who has chosen to take dwelling in us as His temple, and He is the seal by which our hope and life stands secure. But yet, Jesus’ counsel for Martha still stands true for us today. While God’s posture towards us is clear, our response is still ours to make. Jesus is the only true vine by which we branches are to have life. We now have been given access to be plugged in to Him and to have His life flow unrestrictedly through us causing us to have our joy complete and to bear fruits that will last.

    Listen to the song ‘More than Life’ by Hillsongs (see above) and sing alongside the song as a prayer unto God. Truly, my prayer is that we will receive a fresh revelation and conviction from the Holy Spirit as we meditate on the fullness of who He is and all that we have been given from Him. My prayer is that we will all turn to Him afresh and cast aside all other false vines in our lives. The only appropriate respond from us is love. Let us pour out our love and worship unto Him afresh this day.

    “How can it be?
    You were the one on the cross, lifted for all my shame.
    How can it be?
    The scars in your hands are for me, You are the King of all.
    Oh I love You more than life…”
    - Bridge of the song ‘More than Life’ by Hillsongs

reading for: Friday Night, 15 July

Psalm 15

  • READ

    Psalm 15 begins with a couple of questions that frames the Psalm.

    “Lord who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on Your holy mountain?”

    These questions likely do not refer to specific physical locations but rather refer metaphorically to describe closeness to God’s presence. The connotations of ‘sacred tent’ and ‘holy mountain’ instead both point to places where God’s presence and glory dwell. Furthermore, the Tabernacle was contextually a placing where man met with God through the work of the priests and the practice of sacrifice. David was therefore expressing his desire to abide in the presence of God.

    In addition, the words ‘dwell’ and ‘live’ here have two similar meanings with increasing intensity. This is aligned with the Hebrew literary technique of using repetition as a form of emphasis or elaboration of a point. ‘Dwell in your sacred tent’ has a meaning of being received to stay as a guest of God Himself and enjoying all the privileges and protection that God’s hospitality entails, while ‘who may live on Your holy mountain’ asks the question of citizenship (i.e. to be a part of God’s country and all the privileges and protection God’s kingdom entails). Not only that, but citizenship also makes a transition from one’s position as a ‘guest’ to one belonging to the Kingdom. Nonetheless, it is important to note that both these positions are entirely the subjected to the favour and grace of the Host and the King.

    David goes on to answer this question in most of the rest of his Psalm culminating with the line ‘He who does these things shall never be moved’ (i.e. will be accepted as a guest and citizen of His Kingdom forever c.f. Psalm 61:4 and 1 John 2:17). Of note here is that contextually David has in mind – an abiding and authentic relationship with the God of Israel. The psalmist provides this relationship as the context in the very first verse in the form of the questions mentioned earlier in verse 1, “who shall sojourn in your tent?” This question is paralleled and reemphasized and intensified by the follow-up, “Who shall dwell on your holy hill.” It is in the light of such an abiding relationship with the God of Israel that we understand the observations of the Psalmist described in verses 2 – 5. Speaking truth in his heart (v2), not slandering or doing evil to his neigbour or taking up a reproach against a friend, (v3), honouring the Lord and not swearing or being stubborn (v4), lending with interest (to other Israelites) or taking a bribe (v5) – all these are a what the Psalmist has seen as a way of life that honours God and brings the reward of immovability and being rooted and anchored (v5). Contrast this with the fool who says there is no God and lives in a godless way (Psalm 14). The Psalmist further provides comparison and contrast in Psalm 16 between godly and godless people.

    Furthermore, living within the old covenant system of the law and its consequences, David would have known that to sin and to walk in unrighteousness frequently results in separation from God at least for a period of time, and in other cases even excommunication or death. God is holy and anyone who would like to be close to Him ought to fulfil God’s righteous laws. This is why David writes ‘He who does these things’ giving light to this old covenant dynamic he lived within.  

    So today’s Psalm reminds us that those who live and are sustained by God’s Presence live in a certain kind of way because they are constantly attentive to what pleases and delights Him. These are rewarded. Paul’s letter to the Colossians yesterday, shines light on this Psalm, showing us that Christ Jesus is this God who is lord and king over all Creation who is God and and it is this King whom we live constantly in the Presence of. Not only that, the mystery of ‘Christ in us’, ‘a mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and many generations’ (Colossians 1:26) is now revealed so when we realise that in following Christ and living by His Spirit, we are now empowered to live before the Father in a way that is not only described in the Psalm but also far surpasses it.

    This is also why our Gospel reading for this week about Mary and Martha is actually so mind-blowing and worthy of our sustained meditation. Martha missed the plot because Jesus was with her as the actual Host and King but she was busy trying to host Him! She had ought to take the only position needed and appropriate which was to be at His feet and receive from Him. She ought to have taken the Uncreated One was there in her home! Oh, if she had known Who had just accepted her invitation to come under her roof! And oh, that we would know Who has chosen to make His dwelling in our us when normally we ought to have been the object of God’s wrath!         

  • REFLECT

    Listen to the song, “Worthy of it all” (see above under song segment), turn off all distractions, make time and space, and allow the Holy Spirit to just lead you into a personal time of worship before the Lord who is truly worthy of it all. Stay in that space for as much as you can offer and allow Jesus to be exalted in all of your life. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and allow all the things of this world to grow strangely dim or in the words of Paul become as rubbish compared to Him. My prayer that more and more, your personal and corporate altars will be established in your life. Practice our CNL daily rhythms and ask the Holy Spirit for help to make it a fruitful endeavour for you.

    Finally, let me leave you this prayer from the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21:

    “14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

    20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Season of PentecostCNL