Pentecost • 5

Introduction to Pentecost Season

The Season of Pentecost, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, marks a pivotal moment for Christians worldwide. Pentecost, originally a Jewish feast known as Shavuot, celebrated the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It occurs fifty days after Passover, symbolizing the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot, which highlights both agricultural and spiritual harvests in Jewish life.

Just as God gave the Law at Sinai to His ancient Israelite people at Pentecost back then, after Christ’s ascension, God poured out His Holy Spirit to empower a new people of God, to obey the Law of Christ, and to continue His work in the world. Hence, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2), not only fulfilled Jesus' promise to send a helper and comforter after His ascension, it also signified the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel. The Presence and Power of Christ through the baptism and the filling of Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the message of Jesus Christ with boldness, crossing language and cultural barriers, and uniting diverse peoples (both Jews and non-Jews) under the lordship of Christ.

Particularly for the members of the Centre of New Life, as we enter the Season of Pentecost, we enter a new season with a call to “Grow Stronger”, to live out the Gospel in our daily lives, exercising the gifts He has given us, as members of Christ's mystical Body, the Church, and particularly within our Kampongs and Life Groups. It is a time to embrace the Holy Spirit's power, continue the mission of the early Church, and embody the teachings of Christ in our interactions and service to Him, at home, work and play. This Pentecost season, let us step-up to be active participants in God's ongoing work in the world, so that as God’s serving sons and daughters, we might grow in friendship and together, we continue to spread His love, grace, and truth in all that we do.

reading for: Tuesday Night, 18 Jun

 Mark 4:35-41

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    Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41

    35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

    Commentary

    Jesus had finished teaching near the sea and when evening had come, he wanted to go across to the other side of the sea. After leaving the crowd, the disciples took Jesus and got into the boat. There were other boats with Jesus. Suddenly, there was a windstorm, and the waves were filling into the boat causing the boat to be about to sink. Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat on the cushion. The disciples were afraid and woke Jesus up, asking Jesus why did he not care why they were perishing. Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and commanded the sea to be still. Suddenly, the wind ceased, and the water returned to a calm state. Jesus rebuked his disciples for their fear and lack of faith. The disciples were murmuring among themselves, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

    Jesus is the lord of the wind and the waves, he is the one in whom the world was created. As the creator of the wind and the waves, he has the authority to command the wind and the waves to be still. The disciples did not believe that Jesus has the authority to command the wind and the waves. They did not believe that he was the creator of the heavens and the earth. Therefore, they were fearful when the winds and the waves blew. The rebuke that Jesus gave to the disciples was for their lack of faith in him. He desired that they have faith in him.

  • REFLECT

The rebuke that Jesus gave to the disciples are precisely what we must heed. We must be bold, courageous and full of faith like Jesus wanted his disciples to be. When we face the waves in our life, we must put our faith in him and depend in him.

Reflect on the following questions:

1.    What are the winds and the waves that you are facing in your life. What are some challenges that you are facing in your life?

2.    Reflect on how are you tackling the winds and the waves in your life. Are you fearful and afraid? Or are you tackling the winds and the waves on your own strength? Or are you dependent on God, having faith in Jesus?

3.    Tackling the winds and waves of life on your own is difficult and challenging. Having a community of support with you to tackle the wind and waves is helpful. Share your challenges with someone this week and pray for each other.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 19 Jun

1 Samuel 17:57-19:16

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Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:57-19:16

57 And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”
18 1As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. 7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated,


“Saul has struck down his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands.”


8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
10 The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. 11 And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

Commentary
In our passage this evening, we witness two contrasting relationships that David forms—one with Saul, the king, and the other with Jonathan, Saul’s son. These relationships provide profound lessons on the nature of friendship, loyalty, and godliness.

David's relationship with Jonathan is marked by deep, selfless love and loyalty. In 1 Samuel 18:1, it is said that "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." This powerful bond is highlighted further when Jonathan makes a covenant with David, giving him his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt (1 Samuel 18:3-4). These actions symbolize Jonathan’s recognition of David’s future as the rightful king and his willingness to support and protect David at great personal cost. Jonathan's friendship with David is grounded in mutual respect, deep affection, and a shared faith in God.

In stark contrast, David’s relationship with Saul is fraught with jealousy and fear. Initially, Saul welcomes David into his service (1 Samuel 18:2), but soon, Saul's attitude shifts dramatically. As David grows in popularity and success, Saul becomes increasingly paranoid and envious. In 1 Samuel 18:8-9, we read that Saul becomes angry and suspicious of David, seeing him as a threat to his throne. Saul's fear and jealousy lead him to plot against David, as evidenced by his attempts to kill David by throwing a spear at him (1 Samuel 18:10-11). This toxic relationship highlights Saul's insecurity and his failure to seek God’s will, contrasting sharply with the purity and godliness of David’s friendship with Jonathan.

These two relationships teach us valuable lessons about the nature of true friendship. Jonathan’s friendship with David exemplifies selflessness, loyalty, and faithfulness—qualities that reflect God’s love for us. Saul’s relationship with David, however, is a cautionary tale of how jealousy and insecurity can destroy relationships and lead to sin.

As members of CNL, let us always seek to cultivate godly friendships. Let us be better friends by uplifting others and encouraging one another to grow in faith. Let us be ‘Jonathans’ to one another by showing love, loyalty, and support without expecting anything in return. In doing so, we will reflect Christ’s love and build a church family that honors God. Then we will truly ‘be better together’.

  • REFLECT

    1.     How can you be more intentional in building and nurturing godly friendships in your life.

    2. Are there any relationships in your life that, like Saul’s with David, need healing or transformation?
    3. How can you support your friends in their spiritual journeys and encourage them to grow closer to God?

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 20 Jun

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

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    Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

    “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

    “In a favorable time I listened to you,

    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

    Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.”

    Commentary

    Tonight’s reading comes right after Paul’s message on reconciliation – God reconciling the world to himself through Christ and entrusting the work of reconciliation to His Church (2 Cor 5:14–21). Lest we forget the story so far, Paul wrote these passages in response to specific and painful situations that he was facing with the Corinthian church.

    Rumours regarding Paul’s apostolic ministry were spreading and his relationship with some of the Corinthians was strained (2 Cor 1–7). In addition, he needed to raise money for the Jerusalem church (2 Cor 8–9) and prepare for another trip to Corinth where he would have to deal with sin among the Corinthians and their foolish submission to those he calls “super-apostles” (2 Cor 10–13).

    In light of this context, we could approach our reading of 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 as a fleshing out of how we might embody God’s ministry and message of reconciliation. As God’s co-worker, Paul urges the Corinthians not to take God’s grace in vain (v1) and quotes a passage from Isaiah to emphasize that today is the day of reconciliation (v2).

    Paul insists that he has put “no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry” (v3). For the sake of the ministry, Paul have endured all sorts of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, and hunger (v4-5).

    By making these statement, Paul is not trying to boast but rather to demonstrate that he has remained faithful in spite of all the sufferings (v6-10). Paul concludes his appeal to the Corinthians by stating that he has spoken freely to them and with a wide open heart (v11). There has been no holding back of affection on Paul’s part, but only on the part of the Corinthians. Hence, Paul urges them to reciprocate his love for them by opening wide their hearts (v12-13).

  • REFLECT

    Truth be told, we don’t need another sermon on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. We all know that we ought to forgive those who have hurt us and to seek reconciliation. However, not many of us are willing to risk the vulnerability that comes with seeking reconciliation. We would much rather nurse our wounds or ignore it altogether than to do the hard and humbling work of mending broken relationships.

    Tonight’s passage is a call to forgive those who have hurt us and to seek reconciliation today. It is also a plea for us to open our hearts to one another and to speak freely the things that are on our hearts.

    For Paul and for us, it always begins with what God has done for us in Christ. He who has been forgiven much loves much. We have been forgiven and reconciled to God. And He has entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to us.

    Many of us were at family camp and we want to be better together as a church. And part of being better together is to work out the relational tension that comes with being together. As we work and live together, there will surely be misunderstandings and hurts and disappointments and frustrations and conflicts. Tonight’s reading is an appeal to you and I to forgive one another and to seek reconciliation as tensions arise, and to be vulnerable and to keep our hearts wide open to one another.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 21 jun

PSALM 133

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 133

    133:1 Behold, how very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

    133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.

    133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

    Commentary

    “Alone is good but together is better.” That was the phrase that was spoken over us as a church in our Penang Family camp 2024. Preaching on the last night, Ps Chris brought us to Psalm 133 even as we were painted a beautiful picture of what unity is like in the eyes of God.

    We are first invited to behold, to look, to see, to observe the picture of unity amongst God’s children! And that it is a very good and pleasant thing, much like how on the 6th day of creation, God proclaimed at the creation of man, male and female and that it was very good (Genesis 1:31).

    Unity, starts at the top, the head. Symbolically the leaders of the church, leaders of the family (husband and wife), leaders of companies and organisations. The imagery painted to us of precious oil on the head is a moment of anointing, much like how King David and kings would be anointed at their installation. To be anointed means to be chosen, to be set apart, to be consecrated for God and His purposes.

    And the imagery of the oil flowing down the entire face, down to the beard and onto the collar of robes points us to how much oil is being poured and given. Such that the entire face is drenched in oil, not just a few drips but as it were, enough for the entire face, beard to be covered such that it overflows and runs to the collar.

    As we were told at camp, Mount Hermon was a snow capped mountain. Representing God Himself. While Mount Zion represents us as God’s children. The distance however from Mount Hermon which is in the Northern area to Mount Zion in the South, is about 407km. That’s about 8 times the width of Singapore from the East to the West. Such was the distance that dew would flow and fall to Mount Zion. Such is the refreshment and renewal we need that can only come from God Himself.

  • REFLECT

    How then do we live out and stay united?

    Ps Chris brought out 5 simple action points for us - Be Gracious(Proverbs 16:24 and Col 4:6), Be Generous (Acts 2:44-45), Be Grateful (Col 3:14-15), Be Godly (1 Tim 4:7-8) and Be Good (Gal 6:9-10).

    What’s one action you can continue to practice and live out for the rest of June? To whom in your LG or kampong will you actively practice unity with?

Season of LentCNL