O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

GOD CHOSE NOT TO REMEMBER

On 15th April 2024, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, Sydney Australia, was speaking during an evening service when a man walked towards him and lunged with a knife. The Bishop was stabbed 6 times.

On 19th April 2024, the Bishop broke his silence and called for forgiveness for the man who injured him. He told his church to forgive this young man.

What does it mean to forgive someone and how can we forgive someone? Let us learn this important attribute of a Christian by looking to the GOD who has forgiven us.

Hebrews 10:17

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

Hebrews 10:17 tells us that GOD forgave our sins and iniquities, which can be better understood as lawless acts. The next thing we see is GOD choosing not to remember them. The author of Hebrews in an earlier verse gave the reason GOD chose not to remember our sins. “But this man (Christ), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12).  Christ’s death on the cross enables GOD to forgive us and to choose not to remember our sins and lawlessness.  Jesus’ death on the cross paid for all our crimes before the Holy and just GOD. Hence, GOD can choose not to remember our sins and to release us from all the legal demands of justice.

These biblical truths of GOD’s forgiveness have a practical application for everyone who has been sinned against and are forgiven in Christ. The biblical truth that GOD chose not to remember our sins and lawlessness will help us, who had been betrayed and are angry, to move forward.

What are we to do?

The application for Hebrews 10:12, 17 is found in Ephesians 4:32 - “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

GOD’s instruction in Ephesians 4:32 is straightforward and clear but when we are hurting, this instruction is very difficult to follow. How can we not remember the unfaithful husband and all his illicit actions? What about the hurtful and unkind words from our children or someone in church? Words that were spoken as if they are true and these lies and falsehood are spreading like wild fire? 

It is difficult to obey GOD when we are hurting and in a broken relationship but our sentiments do not negate GOD’s instruction and His explanation for forgiving someone. It will be most helpful to remind ourselves that these instructions are from GOD. This is the first step that will help us overcome the hurt and anger caused by those who have sinned against us.

In Ephesians 4:32, Paul reminded his readers that they were forgiven by GOD in Christ. Their GOD was righteous, loving, kind, faithful and true and yet in the Old Testament, the Jewish people had being unfaithful. They rejected Him again and again. The story of how GOD’s people rejected Him continued in the New Testament and reached its climax when they cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” (Luke 23:21) 

The story of how the LORD and Saviour of the world died for undeserving sinners and lawless people is at the heart of Ephesians 4:32. GOD the Father forgave undeserving sinners and chose not to remember their sins and lawlessness because of Christ.

In this simple Gospel truth, we will find true, permanent comfort and peace for our sins against GOD. It is also in this simple biblical truth that we can find the best reason to forgive and not remember the sins of the people who have sinned against us. The love of GOD in Christ is meant to melt our hearts, help us overcome our anger and not focus on the wrong done against us. GOD’s love is meant to help us grow in kindness and be tender-hearted against bullies, tormentors, intimidators and even people who purposely and innocently wrong us.

When we learn to see and treasure Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross, we will begin to truly love, forgive and not hold a grudge against the people who sin against us. In Christ we can forgive, choose not to remember, be kind and tender-hearted.

What does it mean to “not remember”?

 There are four things we can do to help us not to remember sins done against us and be reconciled with the people who have hurt us.

1.​We promise not to hold their sins against us. Like our GOD, we promise to release our legal rights over the people who have sinned against us. We will not insist on justice but practise grace and mercy. This promise and our demonstration of kindness must come from our hearts as such actions are also at the centre of GOD’s redemption plan for sinners. The Gospel truths that transform us from sinners into saints will help us forgive others just as Christ forgave the people who crucified Him. Our experience of GOD’s grace and mercy is at the core of our ability to truly forgive someone.

2.​Having experienced the grace and mercies of GOD, we discipline ourselves not to remind the sinner of how, when, what and why they had wronged us. When the memories of these events come to mind, we choose not to remind the offender about what they had done. We discipline ourselves not to be bitter towards them. When we meet them and find ourselves actively struggling not to remember their sins, we should pray for strength to be kind and tender-hearted. Its takes time to forgive, but we can do it because we have been forgiven by GOD in Christ.

3.​We discipline ourselves not to tell others about what the sinner did to us. We do not talk to others about their sins and lawlessness. When others come to know about the incident and ask us, we choose to say the minimum, focusing on the grace and mercies of GOD that help us to forgive and move on.

4.​Finally, we discipline ourselves not to entertain the memories of their sin against us. This might be the most difficult thing to do, as the memories can come to us anytime and anywhere. What might help us overcome these memories is learning to recollect the meaning of Hebrews 10:12, 17 and Ephesians 4:32 and meditate on what GOD wants us to do in these verses. Let the Word of GOD have free rein over our heart and mind and let them rule our soul.

Hebrews 10:12, 17 and Ephesians 4:32 are GOD’s way for teaching us to truly forgive. Any method of forgiveness that does not follow these principles is not biblical. These methods will not please GOD, and our broken relationships will continue to be strained. Such non-biblical efforts for reconciliation are at best superficial and at worst hypocritical.

Conclusion 

We will find it difficult to forgive the people who have hurt us, and to forgive them the way GOD forgave sinners. But GOD made no mistake by telling us to love them the way He loves us. In Christ, we can be kind and tender-hearted in our pain as we understand and remember Hebrews 10:12, 17 and Ephesians 4:32.

There is one final exhortation to those whose pain is still raw. May the psalmist’s cry for help in Psalm 61:1-3 help us strive to forgive one another:  “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 

The rock that is higher than us is the LORD Jesus who said that when we love one another – and forgiveness is part of biblical love – the world will know we are His disciples. May it be our prayer that the Holy Spirit will use our messy relationships to show GOD’s love to sinners so that they can be reconciled to GOD through Christ.

– Joel Seah

* * *

Our First On-Site Prayer Meeting after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Brethren,

We had our first on-site church prayer meeting after the recent COVID-19 pandemic on 7th April 2024. The meeting was held at 5 pm in room 2-1 of Beulah House. 23 of us, young and old came together to fellowship, listen to the Word of GOD and to pray. 

The final 30 minutes of this meeting was spent in prayers of thanksgiving and petitions unto the Lord, based on our weekly prayer bulletin. The whole meeting lasted just over an hour, a very similar duration to our Tuesday night prayer meeting.

The only significant difference between this meeting and the Tuesday night church prayer meeting was the physical presence of brethren from our church. This gathering was very good because brethren could gather in the house of the LORD at end the sabbath. What a blessing. 

Another special blessing we experienced that evening was the fellowship. Many of us just locked eyes with simple smiles and simple greeting. Yet, the sight of one another in church again to sing, listen to GOD’s Word, share about His acts of goodness and compassion and finally praying with one heart, was most wonderful. It was a blessing to be at this meeting. 

All in all, the first on-site prayer meeting in church after the pandemic was a very wonderful blessed time together and I look forward to the next on-site Sunday evening prayer meeting on 5th May 2024.

See you there.

Joel Seah

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Apr 29
7.30 pm No ERBL Lecture

Tuesday, Apr 30
8.00 pm Prayer Meeting (Eld Chia Ah Lak)

Thursday, May 2
10.00 am Ladies’ Prayer Group

7.30 pm No ERBL Lecture

Saturday, May 4
3.00 pm LTF / YLM

Sunday, May 5

8.00 am Behold, Your King Is Coming! Zechariah 9:1-17 (Rev Charles Seet)
8.00 am Choir Practice

9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony) 

9.40 am Sunday School 
10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am Behold, Your King Is Coming! Zechariah 9:1-17 (Rev Charles Seet) with Holy Communion) 
11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1

Announcements

Sunday, 28 April 2024 (Today)

Combined English Service: 9:00 am

Annual Congregational Meeting: 10:45 am

Please bring along the blue “Voting Member’s Record Verification Form” (VMRVF) which was mailed to you.

* * *

Life BPC Job Vacancies

1.​Church Operations Manager (COM)

Responsibilities:

The COM provides active oversight and support in the mission, administrative affairs and general operations of the Church including Financial Management, HR, MIS Technology, Media Technology, Facilities and General Administration.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor degree or higher

· Minimum 5 years’ experience in operations or managerial positions

· Good interpersonal and communications skills

2.​Estate Management Officer (EMO)

Responsibilities:

EMO plans, oversees and coordinates all property management and preventive maintenance activities associated for the church premises. Coordinates facilities usage for a range of Church activities and Church’s authorized users using the premises. The EMO reports to the Church Operation Manager.

Qualifications:

· Diploma or equivalent

· 5 years’ experience in real estate management and maintenance

· Certification in real estate management and maintenance is an added advantage

· Lifers are preferred

Candidates with relevant qualifications and experience may submit your application and CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Traffic Warden Service

We welcome all church members to join in this work. Our TW’s role is to provide godly service to facilitate worship. We need help in following time slots for Sunday: 7.30-8am or 10.30-11am with a frequency of once or twice a month.Please contact Dn Chan Yong or Bro Kelvin

Catechism Class for Anniversary Baptism on 20 October 2024

commences on 14 July 2024. Please pre-register by emailing to Church Office. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the catechism class. Closing date: 7 July 2024.

Coffee Corner will be closed on ACM Sunday (Today).

Parking Today (ACM)

On ACM 28 April, all parking lots at Sanctuary and Beulah sides are designated for those staying for ACM. For those not staying for ACM, please park at Kai Suites, along public roads with single yellow line or Revenue House (RH).
Ferry service from RH pickup point (near to pedestrian overhead bridge entrance/exit) to Church will run from 0840 to 0910. When church service or ACM ends, ferry service back to RH will commence outside Beulah House gate entrance.

Door to Door Evangelism 5 May 2024 (Next Sunday)

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm Contact: Desmond or Amos

Holy Communion Elements Preparation

Lifers are invited to serve in the Holy Communion elements preparation, clean-up and washing. Those interested may contact Jenny or Wendy

Thanksgiving

Bro Woon Kwong Ann would like to thank Pastors and Lifers for the condolences, prayers and words of comfort during the bereavement of his mother, Mdm Goh Ah Juan.

Condolence

Our condolences to bro Herbert Gwee and family on the homegoing of his wife, Mdm Susan Ng Seok Cheng (68 years old), on 24 Apr 2024.

Church Camp 2024

10-14 June

Collection of church camp fees will take place on 5th and 12th May at the Church Office during the following timings: During Sunday School (9.30am-10.45am) and immediately after second service. 

As we need to track camper’s payments, please make payment at the Church Office. The preferred mode of payment is via PayNow. However cash and cheques will be accepted as well. Emails with payment details will be sent out to all campers.

Please do contact Josiah Seah @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any queries.

Youth Fellowship

Saturday Programme

Join us for a time of reading God’s Word, fellowshipping, eating, praying, and living together.

Details: Saturdays 3-6pm

for all aged 17-25

Contacts: Justus or Caleb for more details!

In-Person Church Prayer Meeting

5 May 2024 (next Sunday), 5pm @ Beulah Rm 2-1

• Prev
• Next