PENTECOST • 19

What Fruit Is God Looking For?

SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 3 october

Matthew 21:33-46

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

  • READ

    33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

    42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

    “‘The stone that the builders rejected
        has become the cornerstone;
    this was the Lord's doing,
        and it is marvelous in our eyes’? (Psalm 118:22-23)

    43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

    45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

    Jesus’ quotation of Ps 118:22 provides us with the ultimate message of the parable. God’s Son, Jesus, is replacing the leaders of Israel as God’s voice of authority for the people. This is because the leaders have not governed well and God’s people are not bearing fruit that God desires.

    God’s rule, His authority, His kingdom would now be taken away from the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Temple authorities. Jesus of Nazareth, not they would be His voice. Jesus is therefore God’s ‘Son’. Here, in this context, the “Son” should be understood not as the Second Person of the Trinity, but the Messiah, the ‘Anointed One’, the Christ, God’s Agent and Representative who takes on the identity and calling of the entire nation of Israel.

    In the light of this, the parable actually confronts, challenges and warns the religious leaders and authority figures, even accusing them of their failing to produce the ‘fruit’ that God desired, leading to the kingdom being transferred to God’s Messiah.

    Just as Ps Ken Teo preached last Sunday about the “Church of the Last Days” and about returning to being the fundamental/ Biblical church, similarly, in the time of Jesus, judgment on the leaders and the whole nation, in the form of the Roman destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE was impending. Jesus’ warning to the leaders of Israel was truly the final warning before the crisis arrived. Like the son in the parable, the leaders of Israel, like the tenants both rejected Jesus’ message and crucified him.  

  • REFLECT

Will the pastors and leaders of CNL hear the Lord’s call to set aside all other agenda but His own? – to equip and nurture kampongs into a ‘certain kind of people’ - the kind of fruitful families and communities God wants to see?

And will each CNLer also respond to the claims God has on their lives or reject his messengers in favor of their own agenda?

Pray for those in leadership over you – whether in church, at home, at the workplace. Pray that they lead with humility, the fear of the Lord and with love. Pray for yourselves to submit and obey the Lord through them. Pray that you are not stumbled by the weakness of their ‘flesh’ and you are able to receive the life-giving words of Christ for yourself.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 4 october

Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20

Trusting the God who redeems us and our families

  • READ

    The children of Israel were at Mount Sinai where they witnessed thunders and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain. They heard a very loud trumpet blast, and Moses brought them out of the camp to meet God. The mountain in front of them was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on Mount Sinai in fire. The Lord called to Moses, and Moses went up the mountain to speak to God. God warned the people not to bypass the limits that Moses had set. (Exodus 19:16-20) The people saw the presence of God descending on the mountain. This was indeed a theophanic moment.

    Exodus 20:1–21 (ESV)

    1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” 18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

    The Lord then spoke to the people and gave them what is commonly referred to as the Ten Commandments. The Lord began with an identification of who he is. He is the Lord their God who brought them out of Egypt, out of slavery. He then commanded the people on how they were to live as his people. They were not to have any other gods before him. They shall not make any idols nor worship them. The Lord that they serve is a jealous and loving God.  They were not to take the name of the Lord in vain and were commanded to honour the sabbath.

    In addition, they were to relate to others out of love. They were to honour their father and mother, and they were not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness against other and covet.

    The people were terrified and told Moses not to let God speak to them directly. Moses told them that God had come to test them, so that the fear of God may be with them. The people stood at a distance and only Moses drew near to the presence of God.

  • REFLECT

    The Ten Commandments are hugely popular in Christian circles, and many people today think it is hugely important for Christian living. This is an honourable thing and surely it is beneficial to practice this. However, the Ten commandments are not just a list of do and don’ts. The passage today starts with an identification of WHO the Lord is. The Lord is their Lord and God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. In other words, it is the Lord who saved them and made them his people. This unconditional love of God, through his action of saving grace and liberation, is the foundation on which His covenantal relationship with His people is built. Their response of trust and obedience to his Law would be their appropriate response to His love and provision. This love and response, would transform them into His people, a royal priesthood for the sake of surrounding nations and enabling them to remain in a covenant relationship with God.  

    Notice how in verses 1 – 11 the laws are concerned with how the people are to live in a covenant relationship with God. From verses 12 – 17 the laws are concerned with how the people are to live in a covenant relationship with one another.  

    Similarly, we are the people of God because Jesus has redeemed us from the slavery of death and brought us into freedom. We have been rescued from the domain of darkness and brought into his marvellous light. It's out of this relationship and recognition of what He's done for us that we should obey and trust God and in doing this, live in a covenant relationship with Him. This is why we declare, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

    Also as Christ’s spiritual body, we are to understand what God is doing in and through his church. As Paul says, we are to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Bringing out the Spirit behind the law, in Ephesians 4, 5 and 6) the Apostle Paul describes in greater clarity and detail how the church is to live in covenant relationship with one another.   

    Pray that the Lord will help us to remember his grace and mercies that he extends to us and that we will obey and trust him and love one another. This way, we truly bear and become the fruit that the Lord desires to produce in us.

reading for: Thursday Night, 5 october

Philippians 3:4b-14

To Gain Christ and be Found in Him

  • READ

    4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[a] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

    12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

  • Tonight’s reading begins with Paul exhorting the Philippians to place their confidence in God instead of the flesh. Paul argues that if anyone has any reason to be confident in the flesh, it would be him (v4). In a contest of fleshly achievements, Paul would surely win.

    Not only was Paul circumcised on the eighth day and belonged to the people of Israel, he came from the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin and was a pure blooded Hebrew (v5). Furthermore, Paul was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of the church, whose life was blameless as far as the righteous requirements of the law was concerned (v6).

    Paul had incredible pedigree and prestige. He was the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the elite of elites. He had everything that a man could possibly imagine and ask for. And it is in this context that Paul makes an astounding and profound declaration –

    “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” (v7-11).

    Paul had gained the world and had nothing else left to attain. But everything changed after Paul came to know Christ. In light of knowing Christ, Paul regards all that he has gain as loss. And compared to the worth of knowing Jesus, Paul deemed all that he had once held dear as worthless. Paul had found the treasure hidden in the field. He realized that the only worthy goal in life is to gain Christ and be found in him.

    Therefore, Paul makes the pursuit of knowing Christ and becoming like Him the pursuit of his life. He confesses that he has yet to achieve his goal and arrive at his destination, but he will not look back and will press on until the very end where he will win the prize  (v12-14).

  • REFLECT

    There is a saying that goes something like – “People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”

    That could very well happen to you and me. We could spend our whole lives pursuing earthly things only to find at the end, that the treasures we’ve accumulated on earth is worthless. Paul doesn’t want that for us. He wants us to know that there is nothing worth more than knowing Christ and being known by Him. He wants us to set our minds on the things above and to press on towards the heavenly prize because we are heaven-bound.

    Will you forsake all others and count it all as loss that you may gain Christ? Will you make the pursuit of God the pursuit of your life? Will you devote your whole life to knowing him and becoming like him, both in life and in death?

    “Help us God and set our hearts toward eternity as we make our way home. Amen.”

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 6 october

Psalm 19

Beholding God’s Word in Creation

  • READ

    To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

    19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
        and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
    2 Day to day pours out speech,
        and night to night reveals knowledge.
    3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
        whose voice is not heard.
    4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
        and their words to the end of the world.
    In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
        and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
    6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
        and its circuit to the end of them,
        and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

    7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
        reviving the soul;
    the testimony of the Lord is sure,
        making wise the simple;
    8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
        rejoicing the heart;
    the commandment of the Lord is pure,
        enlightening the eyes;
    9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
        enduring forever;
    the rules of the Lord are true,
        and righteous altogether.
    10 More to be desired are they than gold,
        even much fine gold;
    sweeter also than honey
        and drippings of the honeycomb.
    11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
        in keeping them there is great reward.

    12 Who can discern his errors?
        Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
    13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
        let them not have dominion over me!
    Then I shall be blameless,
        and innocent of great transgression.

    14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
        be acceptable in your sight,
        O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

  • REFLECT

    What is the place of God’s word (Scriptures, bible) in our lives?

    How do we view it and what impact does it have in our lives?

    At first glance, it easy to see verses 1-6 as separate and different from verses 7-11. While verses 1-6 can easily be seen as God’s glory in creation with the heavens, sky, day and sun proclaiming and declaring God’s handiwork. Verses 7-11 focuses on the laws of God which are in contrast, perfect, right, clear, true. Verses 12-14 serve as the response of the Psalmist.

    Have you ever looked at a sunset in the backdrop of a majestic mountain with snowflakes falling down gently? How did you feel in that moment? Was there a sense of awe, peace and majesty? How did it feel to on one hand behold such a sight and on the other be in the presence of such a wonder?

    Did you walk away feeling refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated by that sight and experience?

    We tend to separate how we feel in nature (God’s creation) from how we might feel when we read and meditate on God’s word. But the truth is, meditating and being in the presence of God through His word will revive the soul (v.7). It will bring joy to our heart and enlighten our eyes (v. 8).

    God’s word is after all true and righteous (v. 9), it is perfect and sure (v. 7). We are to desire it more than gold as it is sweeter than any desert (v. 10). Through it we are warned (v. 11).

    Just as the heavens proclaim God’s glory and His handiwork (v. 1), so does His Word.

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