Young Adults' Group

Living Stones

by Pastor Mark
April 30, 2020

My reflections

As we come to the end of April 2020, let us take some time to reflect on the lessons that we have learnt. One significant lesson about keeping our faith alive is that we should not be dependent on community worship or fellowship. While they are important, we have discovered that it is the Word of God that is most vital to keeping our faith alive. The words of Moses have proven to be so much more real, “Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deut 8:3)

Through Pastor Charles’ preaching every Sunday and his emails to us daily, our spiritual walk and faith have been kept alive. We have learnt much from the messages from 1 Peter and during Easter. Let me highlight a few lessons that have been a real blessing to my heart.

Foreknowledge…Foreordained (1 Peter 1:2,20)

1. The word “foreknowledge” comes from the Greek word “prognosis”. It describes having full knowledge. God is omniscient and He knows all things.
2. The word “foreordained” in Greek is “proginosko”. It is a reference to the omnipotence of God in orchestrating all things according to His will.
3. In combining both words, what God has foreknowledge of, He would also foreordain to fulfil it as part of His will.
4. The Apostle Peter applied his understanding to God’s redemption plan. God foreknew that Christ would be the Lamb of God without blemish and spot. (1 Peter 1:19) This was foreordained before the foundation of the world. Jesus manifested Himself to us as our great sacrifice so that we may have faith and hope in God.
   (1 Peter 1:21)

This was indeed an enlightening truth that brought much comfort and encouragement.

The “Now moment”

1. During Maundy Thursday, we learnt about the “Now moment”, a moment of test.
2. The Lord Jesus spoke about the “Now moment” when He revealed that He was the Good Shepherd who would be struck and His sheep would be scattered. (Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7)
3. Jesus was unafraid of His test to suffer and to be crucified. He overcame all His challenges.
4. On the other hand, the disciples failed badly as they fled and Peter denied the Lord three times. The disciples were not prepared for their “Now moment”.

Let us be challenged to grow our faith and ready ourselves that we may conquer our “Now moment” such as facing the challenges of the COVID-19 virus.

Living stones

1. One keyword that was highlighted by Peter was the word “living”.
2. A living hope. (1 Peter 1:3) Through the resurrection of Christ, we have a living hope.
3. The living word. (1 Peter 1:23) The Word of God lives and abides forever. It gives life to us, from being born again to obeying the truth. (1 Peter 1:22)
4. A living stone. (1 Peter 2:4) Christ is the living stone that all of us can come to. He was chosen by God and made precious.
5. Living stones. (1 Peter 2:5) As living stones, we are built into a spiritual house.
6. The living Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18) All of us are made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. The living church. (1 Peter 2:9) We are meant to be elevated as a living church to minister as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and as His own special people.

It has been truly uplifting to see how we can have a living hope through Christ so that we can become part of the living church to serve God. Let us be challenged to come alive and continue to be living stones for the glory of the Lord.

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