Zion Church Online Bulletin

Week No. 38 | 17 September 2023 Lord's Day

LORD’S DAY SERVICE ORDER

PRESIDER: Evangelist Nicholas Chiang
*Silent Prayer
*Confession of Faith
Hymn 30
Responsive Reading:
33. Psalm 150
33. 诗篇 150
Prayer by Evangelist Nicholas Chiang
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 1:1-3
希伯来书 1:1-3
Choir Anthem by Sharon Choir
Days of Elijah
以利亚的日子
Sermon by Pastor Samuel Kim
Hebrews 02 – Who is the Messiah?
希伯来书 02 – 谁是弥赛亚?
Hymn 102
Offering Prayer by Evangelist Nicholas Chiang
Offering Song:
Hymn 319 – Patiently, Tenderly Pleading (耐心和温柔地恳求)
(Sharon Choir)
Announcements by Evangelist Nicholas Chiang
*Hymn 6
*Benediction by Pastor Samuel Kim

*Congregation Standing

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Let us continue to pray for the growth and revival of our church and for the work of evangelism and missions.
  • Please refer to the following for our service times:

    • Lord’s Day (Sunday) service @ 10:45 am*
    • Lord’s Day Bible study at 1:30 pm
    • Wednesday service @ 7:40 pm*
    • Saturday Dawn service @ 6:00 am

    *Also broadcasted live on YouTube for Lord’s Day & Wed Services: http://live.zionchurch.sg

    *也在 YouTube 上直播主日和周三礼拜: http://live.zionchurch.sg

  • The Precept for 2023: “A Church that strives toward the Consummation of Redemptive History by following the path of Abraham’s faith” (Gen 18:18-19; 26:5; Gal 3:7-9; Col 1:25; Tit 2:14)

    “一个跟随亚伯拉罕信心的道路,努力完成救赎历史的教会”
    (创 18:18-19;26:5;加 3:7-9;西 1:25;多 2:14)

  • “Faith & Work” Workshop series conducted by Mr Poh Yu Khing will continue over next two Saturdays: 23 & 30 Sep at 5pm in Zion Church. The workshop offers practical biblical values relevant for all working profession. You are welcome to join us.
  • There will be a special FOOD FAIR lunch & Bazaar on 8 Oct (Sun) for church fund-raising during fellowship time.

    We are looking for contributors for the Bazaar, anyone who wishes to sponsor or contribute any item for sale MUST register with D.Leh Tieng or E.Joyce by next Lord’s Day (24 Sept). The item(s) must be of use, new or of pristine condition.

    Let us look forward and participate! The proceeds will be used to help with Zion Retreat 2023 and Missions Work.

  • Zion Church Retreat 2023 will take place on 21-23 Nov (Tue-Thu), at Sand & Sandals Resort, Desaru. Retreat theme is “Discernment” (Heb 5:11-14).

    Cost of Retreat fee will be $150/pax (free for children at age of 2 or below).
    * Note: There will be additional cost for single occupancy.

    Payment mode: PAYNOW to Zion Church UEN #: T00SS0141D with remarks ‘retreat 2023’.
    Payment Deadline: 30 Sep. Please see Dcn. Leh Tieng if you have any questions.
    *Retreat fee is subsidised by the church, the Men’s & Women’s ministries and supported by upcoming fund raising activities.

  • Zion Church AGM will be on 5 Nov. Let us all pray for God’s guidance upon Zion Church. All ministry elders and leaders, please prepare for 2024 ministry plan and report for the AGM.

SERVICE DUTIES

Prayer (Wed 20 Sep) Deacon Louis Loy
Presider (Sun 24 Sep) Elder Anthony Lim
Basket Bearers (Sun 24 Sep) Elder Steve Yoon, Elder William Ng

OFFERING & TITHE

Via Internet Banking

You can give an offering electronically by transferring to the following account:

Please make sure to indicate your name, type of offering and the date info under the memo/remarks sections when initiating the transfer. Please indicate your offerings’ purpose especially for TITHES (to be listed as TH).
Note: Any online offerings without indications of whether for tithing, thanksgiving, building, mission, etc will be recorded as regular offerings.
Thank you for your assistance.

1. For regular, tithes, thanksgiving, special, and missions offerings ONLY
OCBC Bank Account: ZION CHURCH
Account Number: 621835867001
PayNow UEN #: T00SS0141D
Swift: OCBCSGSGXXX
Bank Address: CHULIA STREET, 63, OCBC CENTRE, FLOOR 10, SINGAPORE

NOTE: Please specify Name, Purpose and Date (ddmmmyy) of the offering in the MEMO or Bill Reference Number section. See Example 1.

2. For Building Offerings ONLY
DBS Bank Account: ZION CHURCH
Account#: 047-903777-2

NOTE: Please specify Name, Purpose and Date (ddmmmyy) of the offering in the MEMO or Bill Reference Number section. See Example 2.

3. Offering toward Missions Offering or Book Drive to support broadcasts of the History of Redemption Series globally, can be made in the following ways to HORA Ministries:

1) Direct bank transfer to:

DBS (Development Bank of Singapore)
Account Holder: LI JIA TSUEY or CAI XIAO FEN ERICA
Account Number: 271-310151-9 (Account Type: Multi Currency Account)
Currency Type: All currencies accepted (US$, S$, etc)
Address of Beneficiary Bank: 12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982
Country: Singapore
SWIFT Address/Code: DBSSSGSG

2) PayNow to HORA Ministries via NRIC S7638942Z

3) Indicating “Book Drive” or “Missions” on the offering envelopes.

Use the following acronyms to indicate Purpose (offering type):

    • RO = Regular Offering
    • TH = Tithes
    • TG = Thanksgiving
    • SP = Special Offering
    • MO = Missions Offering
    • BO = Building Offering

Example 1:
JohnDoe TH 05APR20
SamMiller TG 05Mar20
JaneSmith RO 03May20

Example 2:
JohnDoe BO 05APR20

By Mail

You may mail your offering cheques to Zion Church to below address:
“Finance Department”.
2 Gambas Crescent, Nordcom 2 Tower 2 #10-13. Siangapore 757044.

By ATM

You may transfer via ATM:
BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO SPECIFY TYPE OF OFFERING if you use this option.
Please inform any Finance Team member if want your offering to be recorded.

  • Eldress May Ling
  • Deaconess Leh Tieng
  • Elder Steve

Living Manna

Sermon Summary
Hebrews 01 – Introduction to Hebrews

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-5

Today I’d like to start a series on the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a special book because it feels like it is the answer key to many questions in the History of Redemption.

Writer of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews was written in epistolic exaltation form, a letter-styled sermon. This book of Hebrews does not begin like a letter, as there is no addressing the recipients, such as in the book of Ephesians or Romans, where Paul is addressing the church of Ephesus or Rome and apostle Paul addresses himself as the writer.

This book of Hebrews ends with a letter-style ending. It was meant to be read before the congregation. It begins with a sermon and ends like a letter, however, the author is unknown.

Hebrews uses much of the Old Testament, the author has a very authoritative view of the Old Testament, he was very familiar with all the prophecies, all the offerings, and ceremonial laws. Hebrews is like Leviticus in the New Testament, because it speaks so much about the offerings, tabernacle, high priest, etc. All these Old Testament terms and concepts are explained about how they are fulfilled through the Messiah Jesus Christ. He climaxes the book of Hebrews through Jesus Christ and applies it to the people in the New Testament. This sounds like the History of Redemption.

1. Recipients of the letter of Hebrews

It was written to the Hebrews. Who are the Hebrews who received this letter and sermon? We can see the receivers of this letter and sermon were very familiar with the writer.

Hebrews 2:1 (NKJ) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
It tells us the writer is concerned about people ready to drift away from faith.
Hebrews 13:22 (NKJ) And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
Hebrews 6:9-10 (NKJ) But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 10:34 (NKJ) for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
Hebrews 13:7 (NKJ) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
Hebrews 13:9 (NKJ) Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Although the writer of the book is anonymous, the author is apparently well-known to the recipients. The writer and recipients are in a pastoral relationship.
Hebrews 13:18-19 (NKJ) Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

The writer is worried that the recipient might drift away.

Which kind of Hebrews is he writing to? There are 3 types of Hebrews:
• The orthodox Jews in Israel
• The diaspora Jews spread out all over other countries
• The convert Jews
There was great oppression upon the Jews at that time, during the time of Nero in Rome who was persecuting the Jews. They always accused and persecuted the Christians, there were mass executions, persecutions, and terrorized by the Jews. Christians were considered Jews who betrayed their faith.

Jews under Judaism were trying to convince Jews who converted to Christianity, to convert back to Judaism.
So this book of Hebrews was addressed to the Hebrew Jews, it was difficult for them because they were persecuted, and being influenced and affected by society, and now tempted to go back to their old religion Judaism because it is a little more comfortable.

What is scary about persecution is that it will bring confusion, mislead, and make you give up your faith. That is what is happening today. Persecutions and confusion in the life of faith take place in the end times. Jesus speaks of the signs that happen in the end times before judgment in Matthew 24. One of the things he said is there will be misleading of the Christians, even believers will give up their faith.

The idea of giving one’s life for the church, or to keep faith. How real is that today? I ask these questions for you to think about this. This idea of giving your life for the Lord or the church has almost become obsolete today. In the days when there were persecutions and hardships, people died to protect the church. But now people don’t really understand what that really means and why that is necessary.

Would we die to keep our faith? Some people ask why we ask that question. There are countries where people give their lives to keep their faith. It is Satan’s work to make Christians only have the form of a believer, without really believing. With different names and ideas like pluralism, Satan sows the seed of disbelief and doubt that Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation. Such faith is mixed up with other influences of the world and other beliefs. This is an empty Christian life. Such Christians eventually get burnt out spiritually.

During the time of the Hebrews, they had sexual temptations of the sinful way of living. Rome was a sexually corrupt place at that time. It was very easy to sin and get involved in their ways of life. There is pressure and there are difficulties in understanding the Word of God, there is also temptation at the same time.

The problem and symptoms then and now:
(i) Faith stopped growing.
Faith was never real. A dead seed can never sprout and grow. When our faith is dead, it will not grow. We need to ask ourselves today: Is my faith growing?

Hebrews 5:11-13 (NKJ) of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
When someone who is ready to be a teacher and adult to feed others, degrades to a level that needs liquid food and cannot eat solid food anymore, this is a health crisis. This is a spiritual infant.

(ii) Wavering faith, people became lazy and started to skip coming to church
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJ) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Is there any legitimate excuse for not worshipping God? In the Old Testament times, you get stoned to death for violating Sabbath Day.
The Roman economy and market system has a guild system, a labour union, where you need to join the system to get into the network. To join a guild, they needed to confess “The Caesar is the Lord”. So Christians who refuse to confess that, could not join the guild. So these store owners and businessmen could not succeed in that Roman society. If you are a Christian, that means you are an outcast from society, you cannot earn any money to feed your family.

It was hard for the apostles to instruct the Christians to attend church because they could not survive in the economy. How about today? What are the reasons we skip church today?

We need to think about this. Satan’s strategy is to give hardships to individuals so they can fall away one by one. Satan’s strategy is to make churches close down.

There are 5 warnings in Hebrews about losing faith:
• Against disobedience to the gospel of salvation and neglecting salvation. (Hebrew 2:1-4)
• Warning of being like the Israelites in the wilderness. (Hebrew 3:7-4:13)
• The seriousness of not growing in faith and the peril of falling away. (Hebrew 5:11-6:12)
• Warning about the judgment upon those who stand against God. (Hebrew 10:26-31)
• Warning against falling away from the gospel of the new covenant. (Hebrew 12:18-29)

Conclusion

In dealing with such issues, the writer of Hebrews starts off with God the Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah, he emphasises the right understanding of Jesus Christ because of our worldview and our ability to cope with our tests and trials and whether we continue in faith or fall away, all depend on our understanding of Jesus Christ.

AMEN!

Pastor Samuel Kim

2023-09-16T17:44:31+00:00
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