As the year 2017 comes to a close, Ptr. Genesis Tan encourages us to reflect on the many blessings we should be thankful for. May the Spirit of God empower us to make gratitude our way of life.

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We are all lost; we search endlessly for value, direction, and satisfaction in life. This Christmas Eve, Rev. Jeremiah Cheung describes our search for meaning through three parables and shows us who restores meaning to life.

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In this message, Ptr. Allan Rillera talks about the greatest gift mankind has ever received. He uncovers three truths from the familiar but deeply rich Word of God found in John 3:16. See Part 3

Scripture Passage: John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Regardless of who you are and what you’ve done, the Lord can forgive you and save you (1 Timothy 1:15-16). In this message, Rev. Jeremiah Cheung invites us to understand the truth behind the great gift of salvation through Christ. See Part 2

Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 1:15-16
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

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Blessings follow when we submit to God. In this week’s message, Rev. Jeremiah Cheung uses the questions ‘What?’ and ‘Why?’ to examine how God blessed Ruth.

We conclude our series on the Book of Ruth today. Although there are only four chapters in this book, it is a powerful story of how a person was saved by grace. Chapter one talks about Choices; chapter two talks about Grace; chapter three talks about Submission. Ruth’s submission led to Blessings in chapter four. Submission comes before blessings; it is the spiritual pathway to be blessed.

Sermon Notes

I. What kind of blessings did she receive?
1. She gained a good ___________
a. Boaz had a __________
b. He had an __________
c. He had a __________
2. She gained a good __________
3. She gained a good __________

II. Why was she blessed?
1. She obeyed the Greatest __________ of the Old Testament
2. She obeyed the __________ of the new new Testament

Discussion Questions

1. How did Ruth become blessed?

2. What kind of blessings did Ruth receive? Among these 3 blessings, which do you consider the best? How was it attained?

3. Why was Ruth blessed?

4. Among these 2 reasons, which ones have you experienced in your life?

Sermon Notes: Answers

I
1. husband, a. kind, b. upright, c. responsible
2. child
3. name

II
1. Commandment
2. Golden Rule

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There are four chapters in the Book of Ruth. The first chapter talks about Choices. The second chapter talks about Grace. The third chapter, which is today’s topic, talks about Submission, while the fourth chapter focuses on Blessings.

Ruth was blessed because of her submission. In other words, Submission comes before Blessings. Without submission, it is impossible to be blessed by God – this is an unchanging truth. Today, let us learn the lesson of submission from Ruth by asking two questions: Who? And what?

Sermon Outline

1. WHO? Who do we submit to?

2. WHAT? What do we submit to?

Lifegroup Discussion Questions

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “submission”? How do you feel about submission? Is it a good or a bad thing? Why?

2. It is through God’s grace that Ruth was able to enter God’s Kingdom. Ruth was able to enter into Boaz’ family because of her submission. As a believer saved by grace, what can you learn from Ruth?

3. Outwardly, Ruth submitted to Naomi and Boaz. But in her heart, to whom was she really submitting?

4. Outwardly, Ruth submitted to Naomi and Boaz’s instructions. But what was she really submitting to?

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A Christian may seem impressive on the outside – gifted in eloquence and knowledge, not lacking in faith and sacrifice – and yet be empty inside. Through the letter of Apostle Paul to Corinth, Ptr. Mike Cariño invites us to examine our lives for signs of spiritual bankruptcy.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Discussion Questions

1. The mark of “spiritual bankruptcy” is spiritual giftedness without love, knowledge without love, ministry without love, and life without love. Why do you think this statement makes sense? Give some examples.

2. For the Apostle Paul, an “A+ Christian” is one who is patient with others, one who is kind with others, one who is not envious, one who is not boastful, one who never gives up on others. To be spiritual is to live a life of compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and love. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how well are you doing in your relationships? Why?

3. The Bible says that “no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (I Corinthians 13:3, MSG) How do you think can we help believers excel in loving relationships?

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Rev. Jeremiah Cheung continues our ongoing series on The Book of Ruth by walking us through Chapter 2, which has the theme “It is all Grace”. See Part 3

Sermon Notes

In the 23 verses of Ruth Chapter 2, we can see four kinds of grace:

1. ________________ Grace
2. ________________ Grace
3. ________________ Grace
4. ________________ Grace
a. ________________
b. ________________

Lifegroup Discussion Questions

1. Ruth 2:1 “Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz.” From this verse, how can we see that Boaz was the man God was going use to show his saving grace to Naomi and Ruth?

2. In the Book of Ruth, there are many events or circumstances that happened coincidentally. Do you think these are coincidences or divine arrangement? Why do you think so?

3. What did Boaz provide for Ruth the first time they met? Why did Boaz show such kindness to Ruth?

4. What are the instances which showed that Boaz made Ruth feel safe and secure? Do you feel safe and secure in the Lord Jesus? Why?

Sermon Notes: Answers

1. Saving Grace
2. Sovereign Grace
3. Provisional Grace
4 Safekeeping Grace
a. Three ‘Do Nots’
b. One ‘Do’

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We make choices every day. In this week’s message, Rev. Jeremiah Cheung kicks off a new series on The Book of Ruth by reflecting on two important decisions made in the first chapter.  See Part 2

Sermon Notes

Two important choices are made in the first chapter of The Book of Ruth: the first is Elimelek’s choice, and the second is Ruth’s choice. Elimelek made a poor choice and it brought him tragedy. Ruth made the right choice and it led to a glorious outcome. May the Lord help us learn on how to make the right choices through Ruth’s example.

I. Elimelek’s Wrong Choice
There are four principles we need to understand when we make choices:
1. We have the _______________ to make our own choices
2. We _______ make a choice
3. We cannot escape the __________________ brought on by the choices we make
4. Our choices may affect _________________

II. Ruth’s Right Choice
1. New _______________
2. New _______________
3. New _______________
4. New _______________

Discussion Questions

1. What kind of choices have you made which you ended up regretting? What choices are you satisfied with?

2. Among the four principles for making choices, which one do you agree with most? Why?

3. What was wrong with the choice Elimelek made? What would you decide to do if you were to encounter political and economic problems like theirs?

4. Why did Ruth make the choice to follow Naomi?

5. What were the costs of the choice that Ruth made?

Sermon Notes: Answers

I. Elimelek’s Wrong Choice
1. free will
2. must
3. consequences
4. others

II. Ruth’s Right Choice
1. Decision
2. Direction
3. Dependent
4. Commitment

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In part one of this two-part message, Rev. Jeremiah Cheung shared two of the four practices in child-training: Awakening the spiritual appetite and Being a good example to children. This week, Rev. Cheung concludes the message by revealing the next two boundaries for godly parenting.

Sermon Notes

Two More Practices in Child-Training

1. Use _____ to teach them

2. ______ them
a. Understand that each child is _____ in his personality
b. Establish an ______ boundary
c. The stance of the two parents should be the _____
d. The 3 C’s of discipline
– 1. _________
– 2. _________
– 3. _________

Three Mistakes often committed during discipline
1. Exercise leniency before _______
2. Accomplish something through _______
3. Emphasize achievements more than _______

Lifegroup Discussion Questions

1. Please share how your children differ in their personalities?

2. Are the boundaries you have set for your children appropriate?

3. As parents, do you practice the same disciplinary method(s) with your children?

4. Can you please share your experiences with regards to the “3Cs of Discipline.” In which of the three principles did you find failure or success?

5. In which three areas do parents often make mistakes while disciplining their children? Which area do you have the most experience with?

Sermon Notes – Answers

I.
1) God’s Word
2) Discipline
a) Unique b) Appropriate c) Same
d.1) Caring d.2) Calm d.3) Consistent

II.
1) Strictness
2) Others
3) On Character

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