O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

HAVE YOU RECOGNISED YOUR SIN? 

SIN is the greatest problem in the world today. We need to face it squarely and talk about it plainly, even though it may not be pleasant to do so. Knowing and understanding sin is the most crucial matter in life. Unless a person comes to a true understanding of what sin is and what it does to his life he will live in delusion and not in reality. There are three basic truths about sin that must be recognised: 

1. Recognise how sinful you are in God’s sight. 

In Romans 3:10-12 we find sobering words from the mouth of God Himself: “There is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understandeth; there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one.” 

How true this is, especially when we look at what goes on in the world today. The human race is a sea of iniquity. We see the effects of it in almost every aspect of human life. Homes and families broken by unfaithfulness and divorce; lives broken by vice, alcoholism and addiction; relationships broken by envy and strife; societies broken by perversion and ambition; suicides, depression, terrorism, wars, fighting, deceit, scandals, injustice, exploitation, apathy and indifference. All these and so much more are not unfamiliar to us. 

But these are merely symptoms of a spiritual cancer that works insidiously and invisibly within the heart of every person. God says in Ecclesiastes 7:20 that “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.” In Jeremiah 17:9 He says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?” God’s verdict is crystal clear in Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” 

God takes a very serious view of sin because it constitutes rebellion against Him, and it brings much grief to His heart (Genesis 6:6). The book of Genesis tells us that God once judged the world with a great flood that destroyed all except eight persons because of the sins that had multiplied and filled the world. Today sin has multiplied even more, and it is by God’s mercy alone that judgment has not yet descended again on the world. But a time is coming soon when God’s final judgment will descend. Revelation 20:15 tells us that when it comes, those who are judged guilty of sin will be cast into the Lake of Fire which is eternal death. 

Do you regard sin the same way that God does? Are you shocked and troubled by the extent of sin in the world? Do you understand how serious sin is? Most people do not. We do not realise it because we are desensitised to our own sins. We can see the sinfulness of the world around us and oftentimes we can recognise sin in the lives of others. But when it comes to our own sinfulness, we tend to be lenient. We do not take our own sins seriously enough. 

One of the most godly men in the Bible was King David, the man after God’s own heart. But despite his godliness, he fell into the sin of adultery. For many months he did not acknowledge how sinful he was in God’s sight, until God sent a prophet to tell him. Nathan did not tell David directly that he had sinned. He first told him how a rich man had taken the only lamb of a poor man and slaughtered it to feed his guests. David’s righteous indignation arose and he wanted the rich man punished for his sinful deed. Little did he realise that Nathan was referring to him. David needed to be told, “You are the man!” 

Most of us are like David in this respect. We are quick to recognise the seriousness of sin in the lives of others, but slow to recognise it in our own. God wants you to view sin seriously – in your own life first, and then in the lives of others. When will you begin to regard sin in your life the same way that God regards it? 

2. Recognise the forms that sin can take in your life. 

There are so many ways to sin, and all of them are equally hateful to God. For example, the first of the Ten Commandments states: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3) Some think that as long as they do not bow down to worship idols, they have kept this commandment. But anything that deprives God of the honour, glory, trust and submission He deserves from us is actually a false god. 

God’s prerogative to disclose the future or secrets of the spiritual realm is usurped by astrology, feng shui and any form of fortune-telling. God’s prerogative to receive all glory is usurped when we attribute a blessing to good fortune or luck. God should always be central in one’s life, the pivot or ultimate reference point. Any person or object that usurps that role from Him becomes another god. 

Most people tend to limit sins only to things that they do or say. In any court of law, people can only be prosecuted for what they have committed in word or deed, and not for what they had intended to do or for what they thought. But God’s court of law is different: 

Proverbs 24:9a – “The thought of foolishness is sin…” 

Genesis 6:5 – “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” 

Matthew 5:22,28 – “But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” 

These verses reveal that we commit sins not only with wrong actions or words but also with wrong thoughts, attitudes and desires. If the courts of law are able to prosecute people according to these things imagine how many more would be convicted. 

Another basic tendency is to regard some sins as being trivial and insignificant. However, in God’s sight there is no distinction between big and small sins. For instance, the sin of partiality is addressed in James 2:9-11. This means treating the rich better than one treats the poor. Here God’s Word says that a person who commits a seemingly small sin like this becomes just as guilty in God’s sight as a person who has broken commandments like “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” 

3. Recognise your responsibility to act against sin. 

What should you do then? Stop excusing any sins you commit no matter how ‘small’ they are. Seek God’s forgiveness for them and do not treat any sin lightly. Even your attitudes and thoughts should be open to God. You must therefore make a conscious effort to guard yourself daily against every kind of sin. 

It is not enough merely to recognise how sinful you are in God’s sight, and all the different forms that sin can take in your life. You must act on what you have recognised. The Lord wants you to be holy as He is holy. He has shed His precious blood on the Cross to pay for your sins. But He wants you to be diligent in keeping yourself from committing more sins. Even though this is sometimes very hard and difficult to do, you must maintain your vigilance. 

The Scriptures tell us that God has made special provisions for our battle against sin. In Galatians 5:16, the Lord commands, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” In Romans 6:13 He says, “neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead…” In Ephesians 6:11 we are commanded to “Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” 

Perhaps you have been a Christian for many years, and you have grown weary in guarding yourself against sin. Perhaps you no longer take sin as seriously as you used to. There may be secret sins persisting in your life because you thought that they were “small sins” and nobody knows about them. You have thought that God does not mind your present state, since everything seems to be going quite well for you now. 

Please do not continue to deceive yourself. God takes every sin in your life very seriously. He desires truth and purity in your inward parts (Psalm 51:6). He wants you to do something about your sins. He has even provided the means for you to guard against them. 

If you are not a Christian yet, then the first thing that you need to do is to be saved by turning to Jesus Christ alone and making Him your Saviour and Lord. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) He is the only One who can save you from your sins! 

If the Lord has spoken to your heart through His Word please do not delay to act upon it. He will forgive you when you confess your sins (1 John 1:9). He is also willing to save you when you turn to Him in full repentance and faith in His death on the Cross (John 6:37). Will you receive Him into your heart today?

– Pastor

How sad our state by nature is,

Our sin how deep it stains;

And Satan binds our captive minds

Fast in his slavish chains.

But there’s a voice of sov’reign grace

Sounds from the sacred Word,

“Ho! ye despairing sinners come,

And trust upon the Lord.”

My soul obeys th’almighty call,

And runs to this relief;

I would believe Thy promise, Lord;

O help my unbelief.

Unto the fountain of Thy blood,

Incarnate God, I fly;

Here let me wash my spotted soul

From crimes of deepest dye.

Stretch out Thine arm, victorious King,

My reigning sins subdue;

And drive the dragon from his seat,

With all his hellish crew.

A guilty weak and helpless worm,

On Thy kind arms I fall,

Be Thou my strength and righteousness,

My Jesus, and my all.

- Isaac Watts -

Shorter Catechism Question 15

Q: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

A: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden fruit.

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Sep 30

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Intro to Biblical Counselling (Mr Joel Seah)

Tuesday, Oct 1

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Dn Joash Tan)

Thursday, Oct 3

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: The Book of Proverbs (Rev Lim Chee Boon)

Saturday, Oct 5

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM

Sunday, Oct 6

  8.00 am     The Sword and Trowel Nehemiah 4:1-23 (Rev Calvin Loh)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am The Sword and Trowel Nehemiah 4:1-23 (Rev Calvin Loh, 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 1-6)

  5.00 pm In-Person Church Prayer Meeting (Rm 2-1) 

Announcements

74th Church Anniversary Combined Baptismal Service

20th October 2024, 9.00 am 

Fellowship Lunch after Service 

(Offerings to defray the cost of the lunch are welcome.) 

Holy Communion: Please note that due to the combined service on 20th October, Holy Communion for the 8 am service will be served on 27th October instead of 20th October. 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

(Psalm 103:2)

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 .

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 .

Mailbox Club Bible Correspondence Course (MBCC)

Another Church Outreach Ministry invites Lifers to register their young children, teens, or grandchildren with our MBCC. Those whose loved ones, friends or colleagues who are either young in their faith or being non-believers, are interested to know and explore more of Christianity, are also invited to register with us by filling in the registration forms which are now available at the Church front counter and post them to:

Life B-P Church

No.10, Gilstead Road

Singapore 309064

Attention: Mrs Ong Chuay Ying

Senior Fellowship Seminar: Refire Not Retire! By Rev Lee Hann Yang

19 Oct 2024, Beulah MPH, 4-6pm followed by dinner. Register at https://www.lifebpc.com/sfseminar

YLM Seminar: The Multigenerational Church

12 Oct 2024 @ Beulah MPH, 3-6 pm.

LTF Camp: Sed or Blessed

2-6 Dec 2024 @ Life B-P Church. Age Grp: 12-17. Speaker: Rev David Wong

YF Camp: To live is Christ, to die is gain

16-20 Dec 2024 @ Life B-P Church. Age Grp: 16-25. Speaker: Eld Chin Hoong Chor. 

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