The senior minister delivered a highly thought-provoking message yesterday on Romans 3. Reading ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’, I can’t help but would like to add on to his content.

If these men cannot stand before the sentence of men, what will they do with the sentence of God? And if they are mute when dealt with by vessels of clay, what will they do when they shall be rebuked by the flames of a devouring fire?  – John Bunyan

John Bunyan must have drawn inspiration from Romans. I’m glad for the discovery of this quote.

And usual, we are all guilty, guilty, guilty. Read the whole story.

I found a book in the guest room in Joel and Jessica’s home, and being bored, I decided to read it. I got hooked and I even borrowed it. It speaks great truth on our relationship and dependency on God.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesu’s blood and righteousness,
I dare not trust my sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesu’s Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do,
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

I rest my faith on Him alone
Who died for my transgressions to atone.

God is indeed calling me to Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Not by my own strength, but His grace will be sufficient. He will enable me to do that, so that I may boast not of my own effort, but to boast in Christ.

I saw the following reference to the Bible on Xing Cong’s MSN nickname, and I was quite surprised. I remembered attending my senior’s funeral with her, and I knew he wasn’t a Christian. Strangely though, at that church, we both prayed a prayer for her and those affected. So I asked why he wrote “1 Cor 7:20-22″.  

1 Cor 7:20-22
²⁰ Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. ²² For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.

His reply: Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don’t mean you’re stuck and can’t leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I’m simply trying to point out that under your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.

I felt it was pretty meaningful. Spoke to me pretty much:)

I think Xing Cong probably read that from a commentary, but it doesn’t matter. I was quite shocked when I read it, and well, I think this is the verse for me to meditate upon this week, to focus on obeying and believing and clinging on to Him.

Later, I sms Xing Cong, and found that he dedicated his life to Christ several months back. I was so delighted. Was really going, “Thank you Father!” So happy, will be meeting up with him after my exams to share. He was one of my closer friend in JC, so I’m really happy.

Finally, the compression of the files are done, and they have been uploaded and archived at the Internet Archive. I chose Internet Archive in the end to host the files for a few reasons. It’s highly reputable, it’s an open source project, and has the financial backing to run as a free, research base for all who are interested. But most importantly, being on the open source allows almost anyone to listen to the sermons. Hopefully, the presence of the sermons on the Internet Archive would impact lives, be in directly or indirectly.

So why have I taken the trouble to compress it, when I can set my computer to just upload the files? The original total file size summed up to 383 MB, which will take eons for anyone to download them. Sure, nothing beats downloading Vista at 3.12 GB, yet the purpose for downloading the files are very different. The demographic profiles of people downloading Vista are the mainly technic geeks, or technology fans, and they definitely have broadband internet connection. Here, I think we are catering to a very different group of people – anyone from around the world who just wishes to grow in his/her relationship with God.

To download the podcasts (all in MP3 format), which have been listed in order, right click on the link, and select “Save target as” for Windows Explorer users or “Save link as” for Mozilla Firefox users. You can either choose to download the files individually, or download them all 4 sermons which have been further compressed to a zip file.

The Compass 28.7 MB – 00:59:46
The Character 40.5 MB – 01:24:19
The Conditions 39.3MB – 01:21:50
The Concerns 47.0 MB – 01:37:53
Church Camp Sermons 155.4MB

Finished reading the book of Ruth. I don’t understand these few verses.

Ruth 4:3-5
Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech…On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wifre of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.”

I don’t think that “land” is used literally. Rather, I think it refers to the rights or the ability to extend the family line. When Naomi’s sons died, their wives were not carrying any fetus in their bodies. Henceforth, Elimelech’s family line would
have been terminated. However, Ruth came from a foreign land to serve the Lord, and was rewarded when she was married to Boaz. Thus, Elimelech’s family is still remembered till this day.

Not too sure if my interpretation is correct.

I understand the need to be a good witness of the faith, to set an example for others, to show that it is through the Holy Spirit that we are changed. However, it is only yesterday that I found the exact verses and understood the fundamental reason to be a good witness:

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.