Return to God
Senior Pastor Lim Kee Oon
Dear WEFCers,
God has given us leaders a vision of working towards Intergenerational Mentoring for the next 5 years until 2028. It is a vision of a church with a new culture where people of different generations actually interact personally with one another in a meaningful way.
Our mission of making disciples who transform Woodlands and the world remains central and unchanged, and the depth of our disciple-making is still measured by the FORM of our discipleship — Family, Obedience, Relationship and Mission. But how we carry out our disciple-making must change or we will have no future. This change is not just strategic or relevant to our times. This change is a return to God's model for what His church should be as described by Psalm 78, Titus 2:1-8 and many other passages of scripture.
Intergenerational Mentoring will obviously change how we disciple our next generation of children, youths and young adults. But it must also change how we develop future leaders. And we pray that it will also correct our weakness in Personal Mission and Evangelism. This is our Vision 2028.
While we sow and labour towards 2028, we must continue to grow deep in our discipleship. Hence, our discipleship focus for 2024, “Return to God” is a call for us to allow God to speak deeply into our hearts, show us the ways we have strayed and become unfaithful, and draw us back to Himself. To help us in our journey back to the heart of God, the prophets Hosea, Amos and Micah will serve as our guide.
God has given us leaders a vision of working towards Intergenerational Mentoring for the next 5 years until 2028. It is a vision of a church with a new culture where people of different generations actually interact personally with one another in a meaningful way.
Our mission of making disciples who transform Woodlands and the world remains central and unchanged, and the depth of our disciple-making is still measured by the FORM of our discipleship — Family, Obedience, Relationship and Mission. But how we carry out our disciple-making must change or we will have no future. This change is not just strategic or relevant to our times. This change is a return to God's model for what His church should be as described by Psalm 78, Titus 2:1-8 and many other passages of scripture.
Intergenerational Mentoring will obviously change how we disciple our next generation of children, youths and young adults. But it must also change how we develop future leaders. And we pray that it will also correct our weakness in Personal Mission and Evangelism. This is our Vision 2028.
While we sow and labour towards 2028, we must continue to grow deep in our discipleship. Hence, our discipleship focus for 2024, “Return to God” is a call for us to allow God to speak deeply into our hearts, show us the ways we have strayed and become unfaithful, and draw us back to Himself. To help us in our journey back to the heart of God, the prophets Hosea, Amos and Micah will serve as our guide.
As we begin preaching through these three books, I want to share a few thoughts that I hope will address what I detect to be a negative sentiment towards these portions of Scripture — sentiments that will not help us to receive God's Word properly if we do not address them.
We cannot avoid or ignore the “difficult” parts of God's Word that make us feel uneasy lest we lose the significance of why God included them in the canon of Scripture in the first place.
Firstly, there is a misconception that these books are only about condemnation and we are in for a whole year of scolding and nagging. Well, it is true that there are long passages of rebuke. But it is important to note what God is angry about. He is angry that something in His beautiful design is not fulfilled. His people are not living as they ought to, and things are a mess. If we can see what God sees, then would we not also share in His anger and seek to return to His beautiful, original plan for us and this world?
Secondly, note that in almost all the passages of rebuke, there are often a few stirring verses of hope. These stand like a beautiful flower emerging from a landscape of ashes. These 'flowers' remind us of something about God that is just so needed in times of darkness and despair. Sometimes it is an aspect of God's character while at other times it is the initiative of God to restore us, without which we are doomed.
We cannot avoid or ignore the “difficult” parts of God's Word that make us feel uneasy lest we lose the significance of why God included them in the canon of Scripture in the first place.
Firstly, there is a misconception that these books are only about condemnation and we are in for a whole year of scolding and nagging. Well, it is true that there are long passages of rebuke. But it is important to note what God is angry about. He is angry that something in His beautiful design is not fulfilled. His people are not living as they ought to, and things are a mess. If we can see what God sees, then would we not also share in His anger and seek to return to His beautiful, original plan for us and this world?
Secondly, note that in almost all the passages of rebuke, there are often a few stirring verses of hope. These stand like a beautiful flower emerging from a landscape of ashes. These 'flowers' remind us of something about God that is just so needed in times of darkness and despair. Sometimes it is an aspect of God's character while at other times it is the initiative of God to restore us, without which we are doomed.
Thirdly, these books are full of imagery that tug at our hearts, not just our minds.
In Hosea, God is not just hurt or angry at our unfaithfulness and wants nothing more to do with us. He is the jilted lover deeply hurt by an adulterous wife, yet He still wants her back! He still wants US back! Therefore, shouldn’t we return to God to experience His love?
In Amos, He is a roaring lion, roaring for justice for the poor and downtrodden in society. Do we dare continue with our comfortable lives while ignoring the needs of the less fortunate around us? Shouldn’t we return to God and administer His justice to the world around us?
In Micah, the message he penned was particularly personal for him. You see, his name Micah is short for 'mikaya' which means "Who is like God?" Micah carries God's painful message with rebuke, warnings of punishment and a call to return. And at the end, he asks a pertinent question using a reconstructed form of his own name 'mi-el-ka-mo-ka' — who is a God like you? And his answer is not about the power, sovereignty, or transcendence of God, but a revelation of God that is so needed for the painful message he carries. I'll leave you to check out his answer in Micah 7:18-20. Therefore, let’s return to Him and submit to His discipline.
Woodlands EFC, young and old, would you join me to journey to the heart of God? Let's seek to know God's heart through His Word in Hosea, Amos and Micah. With His help, let's throw off all that distracts us from Him. With His Spirit’s enabling, let's work to correct all that is wrong in our lives, church and society that doesn't conform to His design. Let's return to Him.
In Hosea, God is not just hurt or angry at our unfaithfulness and wants nothing more to do with us. He is the jilted lover deeply hurt by an adulterous wife, yet He still wants her back! He still wants US back! Therefore, shouldn’t we return to God to experience His love?
In Amos, He is a roaring lion, roaring for justice for the poor and downtrodden in society. Do we dare continue with our comfortable lives while ignoring the needs of the less fortunate around us? Shouldn’t we return to God and administer His justice to the world around us?
In Micah, the message he penned was particularly personal for him. You see, his name Micah is short for 'mikaya' which means "Who is like God?" Micah carries God's painful message with rebuke, warnings of punishment and a call to return. And at the end, he asks a pertinent question using a reconstructed form of his own name 'mi-el-ka-mo-ka' — who is a God like you? And his answer is not about the power, sovereignty, or transcendence of God, but a revelation of God that is so needed for the painful message he carries. I'll leave you to check out his answer in Micah 7:18-20. Therefore, let’s return to Him and submit to His discipline.
Woodlands EFC, young and old, would you join me to journey to the heart of God? Let's seek to know God's heart through His Word in Hosea, Amos and Micah. With His help, let's throw off all that distracts us from Him. With His Spirit’s enabling, let's work to correct all that is wrong in our lives, church and society that doesn't conform to His design. Let's return to Him.
亲爱的兀兰播道会弟兄姐妹，
神赐予教会的领袖们一个异象，从现在到 2008 年的未来五年里，我们将努力实现 "跨世代督导" （Intergenerational Mentoring）。这将会是教会的全新文化：各世代的弟兄姐妹之间将以一种更有意义的方式彼此互动。
教会的使命是建立一群能够改变兀兰社区和世界的门徒，这使命仍然是我们的核心理念，从未改变。我们造就门徒仍然是以英文单字 FORM 为基础 — 家庭、顺服、关系和宣教 — 来衡量的。但是，我们培养门徒的方式必须改变，否则我们的未来将岌岌可危。这不仅仅是策略上的改变，或只局限在我们这一代而已。正如诗篇 78、提多书 2:1-8 和其他许多经文所描述的，这是教会回归上帝的转变。
跨世代督导显然将改变我们培养下一代：儿童、青少年和青成年的方式。但它也必须是改变教会培养未来领袖的方式。与此同时，祈求父神怜悯我们在个人传福音方面的软弱。这就是我们的 2028 年异象。
在教会为 2028 年撒种和耕耘时，我们必须继续在门徒培训中打下更深的基础。因此，2024 年的门徒培训重点是 "回转向神"，呼吁弟兄姐妹们让圣灵监察我们的内心深处，醒觉自己已偏行己路和对上帝的不忠，并赐予力量使我们回转归向上帝。主日的讲台将传讲先知何西阿、阿摩司和弥迦的信息为指导来帮助弟兄姐妹回转向神。
神赐予教会的领袖们一个异象，从现在到 2008 年的未来五年里，我们将努力实现 "跨世代督导" （Intergenerational Mentoring）。这将会是教会的全新文化：各世代的弟兄姐妹之间将以一种更有意义的方式彼此互动。
教会的使命是建立一群能够改变兀兰社区和世界的门徒，这使命仍然是我们的核心理念，从未改变。我们造就门徒仍然是以英文单字 FORM 为基础 — 家庭、顺服、关系和宣教 — 来衡量的。但是，我们培养门徒的方式必须改变，否则我们的未来将岌岌可危。这不仅仅是策略上的改变，或只局限在我们这一代而已。正如诗篇 78、提多书 2:1-8 和其他许多经文所描述的，这是教会回归上帝的转变。
跨世代督导显然将改变我们培养下一代：儿童、青少年和青成年的方式。但它也必须是改变教会培养未来领袖的方式。与此同时，祈求父神怜悯我们在个人传福音方面的软弱。这就是我们的 2028 年异象。
在教会为 2028 年撒种和耕耘时，我们必须继续在门徒培训中打下更深的基础。因此，2024 年的门徒培训重点是 "回转向神"，呼吁弟兄姐妹们让圣灵监察我们的内心深处，醒觉自己已偏行己路和对上帝的不忠，并赐予力量使我们回转归向上帝。主日的讲台将传讲先知何西阿、阿摩司和弥迦的信息为指导来帮助弟兄姐妹回转向神。
在传讲这三卷书之初，我想与大家分享从这些经文里引发的负面情绪--如果我们不解决这些情绪问题，它将拦阻我们聆听并顺服上帝的话语。
我们无法回避或忽视从阅读上帝话语所带来的不安或难以理解的部分，否则我们将失去上帝原先将其纳入圣经正典的意义。
首先，我们会误解这些小先知书只是在一味地谴责听众！若是如此，我们将在这一整年里都得挨骂和听讲员唠叨个不停。的确，书中有很长的篇幅是在斥责。但我们要关注的是上帝为什么会这么愤怒。使上帝发怒的原因是祂美好的计划不但没有实现，而且祂子民没有遵守所立下之圣约，在生活各方面都一团糟，毫无圣洁可言。倘若我们从上帝的眼光观看，就不难理解祂的愤怒并呼吁百姓回转归向上帝，使世界回复到祂起初定下的美好计划吗？
其次，请注意，在几乎所有斥责的经文中都穿插着几句充满毁灭盼望的诗句。这些诗句就像一朵朵美丽的小花从灰烬中绽放出来。这些"小花 "提醒我们，即使在最黑暗绝望的时刻，上帝仍然是我们的盼望。有时我们会瞥见上帝品格的一个方面，有时我们会看到上帝主动恢复我们，以免我们被毁灭。
我们无法回避或忽视从阅读上帝话语所带来的不安或难以理解的部分，否则我们将失去上帝原先将其纳入圣经正典的意义。
首先，我们会误解这些小先知书只是在一味地谴责听众！若是如此，我们将在这一整年里都得挨骂和听讲员唠叨个不停。的确，书中有很长的篇幅是在斥责。但我们要关注的是上帝为什么会这么愤怒。使上帝发怒的原因是祂美好的计划不但没有实现，而且祂子民没有遵守所立下之圣约，在生活各方面都一团糟，毫无圣洁可言。倘若我们从上帝的眼光观看，就不难理解祂的愤怒并呼吁百姓回转归向上帝，使世界回复到祂起初定下的美好计划吗？
其次，请注意，在几乎所有斥责的经文中都穿插着几句充满毁灭盼望的诗句。这些诗句就像一朵朵美丽的小花从灰烬中绽放出来。这些"小花 "提醒我们，即使在最黑暗绝望的时刻，上帝仍然是我们的盼望。有时我们会瞥见上帝品格的一个方面，有时我们会看到上帝主动恢复我们，以免我们被毁灭。
第三，这些小先知书卷中充满了触动人心的图像，而不仅仅是传递知识的信息。
在何西阿书中，上帝不单因我们的悖逆而受伤或愤怒，想与我们撇清关系。祂更像个被与别人通奸的妻子所深深伤害之情人，然而祂还是希望有一天她会回来。是的，上帝要我们回转向祂！因此，难道我们不该立刻回转向上帝，再次体验祂那不离不弃的爱吗？
在阿摩司书中，上帝宛如一头咆哮的狮子，在为社会中的穷人和受压迫者发声。我们岂能继续自顾不暇地过着安逸的生活，而视而不见身边弱势群体的哀求吗？难道我们不应该回转归向上帝，为天父所造的世界彰显祂的公义吗？
在弥迦书中，先知所写的信息好象是非常私人。"弥迦"是"mikaya"的缩写，意思是"谁像上帝？" 弥迦书充满了描述上帝痛苦的信息，怀着责备、惩罚的警告和回归的呼唤。最后，先知以自己的名字重塑了这个单字 "mi-el-ka-mo-ka "，向读者提出了一个关键的问题 — 神啊！谁能像袮？他的回答并非告诉大家有关上帝的大能、主权或超越性，而是上帝自己的启示，而这正是在他的痛苦信息所要传达的。在此，我请大家回去阅读这段先知的回答，记载在弥迦书 7:18-20。总而言之，让我们回转向神，顺服祂的管教。
兀兰播道会弟兄姐妹们，你愿意与我一同朝着上帝旨意的方向行走吗？让我们从《何西阿书》、《阿摩司书》和《弥迦书》这三卷小先知书中来了解神的心意。求祂帮助我们舍去一切使我们远离祂的人事物。靠着圣灵的大能，除去一切不合神心意的心思意念，活出一个悔改、与蒙召的恩相称之生命、教会和社会。让我们回转向神！
在何西阿书中，上帝不单因我们的悖逆而受伤或愤怒，想与我们撇清关系。祂更像个被与别人通奸的妻子所深深伤害之情人，然而祂还是希望有一天她会回来。是的，上帝要我们回转向祂！因此，难道我们不该立刻回转向上帝，再次体验祂那不离不弃的爱吗？
在阿摩司书中，上帝宛如一头咆哮的狮子，在为社会中的穷人和受压迫者发声。我们岂能继续自顾不暇地过着安逸的生活，而视而不见身边弱势群体的哀求吗？难道我们不应该回转归向上帝，为天父所造的世界彰显祂的公义吗？
在弥迦书中，先知所写的信息好象是非常私人。"弥迦"是"mikaya"的缩写，意思是"谁像上帝？" 弥迦书充满了描述上帝痛苦的信息，怀着责备、惩罚的警告和回归的呼唤。最后，先知以自己的名字重塑了这个单字 "mi-el-ka-mo-ka "，向读者提出了一个关键的问题 — 神啊！谁能像袮？他的回答并非告诉大家有关上帝的大能、主权或超越性，而是上帝自己的启示，而这正是在他的痛苦信息所要传达的。在此，我请大家回去阅读这段先知的回答，记载在弥迦书 7:18-20。总而言之，让我们回转向神，顺服祂的管教。
兀兰播道会弟兄姐妹们，你愿意与我一同朝着上帝旨意的方向行走吗？让我们从《何西阿书》、《阿摩司书》和《弥迦书》这三卷小先知书中来了解神的心意。求祂帮助我们舍去一切使我们远离祂的人事物。靠着圣灵的大能，除去一切不合神心意的心思意念，活出一个悔改、与蒙召的恩相称之生命、教会和社会。让我们回转向神！