BETHESDA CATHEDRAL – WORD EDIFICATION (Oikos on 12th Apr 2013)
Announcements
1. Prayer & Praise – Every Wed, 8pm, Chapel.
Word released: “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull
to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden
his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Is 59:1-2 (NIV)
Word Edification – The Cross
Speaker: Elder Jeffrey Goh
1. Many today are wearing the cross as an ornament. However, for the believers the
cross is an instrument of torture and execution for our Saviour. The message of
Good Friday and Easter can be distilled as follows, using CROSS as an acronym:
a) Christ: He was the one nailed to the cross for the punishment of our sins (Jn
1:29). Only He had the credentials and character to do so as He was the
sinless Son of God. On top of that, His concern for mankind is seen in His
love and compassion for their redemption back to God.
b) Resurrection: Christ rose again on the third day after His crucifixion – He is
our risen living Saviour. We are therefore to consider ourselves dead to sin
but alive to God in Christ (Rom 6:11). As believers, do we live as though we
are still struggling with sin, not experiencing the victorious resurrection life
God wants us to have?
c) Obedience: Christ obeyed God and completed the work given to Him as
seen in His triumphal cry, “It is finished!” (Jn 19:30). Because of his
obedience, He became the source of eternal salvation to all those who
obey Him (Heb 4:8-9). Now every person who obeys the word of God by
believing in Christ has eternal life (Jn 3:16).
d) Sin: Christ has fully paid for the debt of our sin. All of us are sinners, without
exception. If we recognise this fact, then we would also recognise our
need for a Saviour.
e) Salvation: Christ came into this world to offer forgiveness of sins and
salvation to mankind (Jn 3:17).
2. Two thieves were hung on their crosses together with Jesus on Good Friday. One
mocked at Him while the other was repentant (Lk 23:39-43). The repentant thief
was given the assurance he shall be with Christ in paradise that very day. God
gives us a choice to put our trust in Christ or to reject Him.
Applications
1.
The 174 souls ushered into God’s kingdom in March is but the beginning of the
greater things God wants to do in Bethesda Cathedral. How can I play a part in
this move of God to bring souls into His kingdom?
2.
Does wearing a cross make one a Christian? Think of ways you can broach the
subject of Christ when you see someone wearing a cross.
3.
As believers, we are all subject to sin and temptation. How can we overcome sin
and temptation in our lives?