O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

ARE WE STRIVING FOR HEAVEN?

Since we congregated together last Lord’s Day, many world events had happened. The war in the Middle East escalated in intensity with Israel fending off ballistic missiles from the east, as they continue the war that rages in their northern and southern borders. The hurricane that swept North America has displaced many from their homes. Political unrest and divisions continue in many countries. Are we troubled or relatively unbothered as we live in this part of the world in our seemingly peaceful nation? Are we more bothered by the things that so easily irritate us which have neither temporal or eternal consequences? 

Many of us have been in Life Church for years, with some of us knowing only Life Church since our birth. Indeed, the Lord has been gracious to use Life Church to apprehend many souls and bring us to salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. After we are saved, we serve, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). However, do we serve aright where we “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”? (Ephesians 4:24) 

Last week’s sermon reinforced that only Christ, and not religion, brings true righteousness. Since then, have we examined ourselves and reviewed our fervour for the Lord’s service as we see the day approaching? What do we continue to strive for? 

Thomas Watson, a Puritan preacher in the 17^th century, authored many books such as “The Doctrine of Repentance” and “All Things for Good” among others, which I would commend to you as they are helpful aids to our spiritual sojourn. As we consider the many world events, I thought to share some gleanings with you from another book of his, which I pray will awaken us out of our spiritual slumber and consider our ways in these last days. 

Thomas Watson’s exposition on Matthew 11:12 in his book, “Heaven Taken by Storm”, calls us to spiritual urgency, urging believers to pursue heaven with intensity and determination. This call is not for physical violence, but for what Watson describes as “holy violence”, an unwavering spiritual effort of striving to lay hold of eternal life. Watson’s message remains relevant as ever, offering guidance on how to live out our Christian lives despite being in an age filled with distractions and distresses. 

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“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven

suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”  (Matt 11:12)

The Meaning of ‘Holy Violence’

Watson begins by interpreting the “violence” in Matthew 11:12 as the determined effort believers must exert to enter the kingdom of heaven. He contrasts this with a passive or lazy approach to the Christian life. Just as athletes exert great energy in a race, Christians must engage in spiritual warfare against sin, the flesh, the world and the devil with fierce fervour, putting on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11) and enduring hardness as good soldiers of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). This holy striving is what Paul described, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) 

The urgency and passion needed for the Christian journey stand in contrast to a world that encourages ease, comfort, and half-hearted devotion.

The Necessity of ‘Holy Violence’ 

Watson argues that Christians must engage in ‘holy violence’ because of the spiritual warfare we face daily. The world, the flesh, and the devil are adversaries that prowl constantly, waiting to pounce on us (1 John 2:15-17). Left unchecked, they lead to spiritual stagnation, apathy, and ultimately falling away. Therefore, Christians must be vigilant and persistent in spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, self-examination and repentance. 

Salvation is not something to be pursued lightly or occasionally, but rather with all of one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). The strait (narrow) gate to eternal life is not entered by the indifferent, but by those who strive to enter in with ‘holy violence’. Our Lord highlights the necessity of this effort in Luke 13:24: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Watson interprets the word “strive” as an agonizing, sustained effort, which serves as a reminder that the pursuit of heaven is not easy. While salvation is freely given to us by grace alone, through Christ alone, sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ—requires continual effort in resisting sin and pursuing righteousness. 

Watson also warns against spiritual complacency, lest we end up receiving a rebuke from the Lord like the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:16, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Practical Applications for Christian Livin 

The principles of Heaven Taken by Storm call believers to engage in fervent, disciplined, and proactive Christian living.

1. Persevere in Prayer 

The need for persistent, heartfelt prayer, is stressed, as Christ taught in Luke 18:1, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” In this troubled world where our lives are filled with many needs and distractions, we must be intentional in making time for prayer, seeing it as an essential aspect of our spiritual battle (cf. Ephesians 6:18).

2. Study the Word 

The Bible, the sword of the Spirit, is the offensive weapon that we have in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:17). Paul exhorts in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Regular and diligent study of Scripture equips believers with knowledge, discernment, and the ability to stand firm in the face of false teachings and worldly influences. Thus, the neglect of the Word of God leads to spiritual confusion and destruction (cf. Hosea 4:6).

3. Self-Examination 

Believers are called to self-examination: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). This spiritual introspection helps us to recognize areas of sin or spiritual lethargy that need to be addressed, especially in our culture today, where sin is often excused and consequences minimised. Genuine repentance is necessary for maintaining a clear conscience before God and ensuring that we remain useful for His service.

4. Resist Sin 

Christians must not only avoid sin but actively resist it - “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9). The fight against sin is a key aspect of holy violence, as believers are called to live in purity and righteousness. In an age that often blurs moral lines, we need to actively resist temptation and sin and battle for holiness.

Conclusion 

Though Watson’s call to holy violence may seem daunting and the effort is great, the prize of eternal life with God is far greater.

^“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) 

As Watson reminds us, heaven and eternal life is not for the passive, but for those who “take it by force,” striving for the glory that awaits them in the presence of God. Therefore, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:10).

Elder Michael Ong

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Heaven Taken by Storm by Thomas Watson

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/watson/Heaven%20Taken%20by%20Storm%20-%20Thomas%20Watson.pdf

Shorter Catechism Question 16

Q: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Oct 7

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

Tuesday, Oct 8

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Dn Aaron Khoo)

Wednesday, Oct 9

      10.00 am     SF Meeting

Thursday, Oct 10

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     No ERBL Lecture

Friday, Oct 11

        7.30 pm     MM Meeting

Saturday, Oct 12

        3.00 pm     Life BPC Seminar (MPH) / MM

        5.00 pm     FEK K2 Graduation (Sanctuary)

Sunday, Oct 13

  8.00 am Dealing with Dissension Nehemiah 5:1-19 (Eld Clement Tan)

  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 Dealing with Dissension Nehemiah 5:1-19 (Eld Clement Tan)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

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)

In-Person Church Prayer Meeting

Date: 6 October 2024 (Today)

Time: 5.00pm

Venue: Beulah Room 2-1

Door to Door Evangelism

6 October 2024 (Today)

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm

Contact: Desmond or Amos 

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

Birth

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs B Tan on the birth of a baby boy, Ethan, on 22 Sep 2024.

YLM Seminar: The Multigenerational Church

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

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

Sunday School Open Sunday

27 Oct 2024 @ Life B-P Church, 9.40am. “What should we know about the Protestant Reformation?” by Rev Charles Seet

MM Thanksgiving Meeting

23 Nov 2024 @ Beulah MPH, 4pm. “Were there not ten?” by Bro Joel Seah

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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