The Preached Word

Providence RPC

From the pulpit of Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, Singapore

  1. 09/01/2025

    The Journey of Faith: Laughters and Tears

    Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:1-21 Introduction We have all faced many disappointments in our lives.   Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  What kind of joy and prosperity are these?  1. There is deep and abiding joy in a life of faith, rooted in the knowledge of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises—fulfilled in His own time for His purposes and glory alone (v 1-7). (i)   God is faithful to His covenant promise and fulfilled it.  (ii) God does in His time.  Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”   (iii) God acts according to His own purpose and for His glory.  Ephesians 1:11–12, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, … according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, … to the praise of his glory.” Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever.” 2. There is painful separation from the life according to the flesh in our life of faith (v 8-12). Psalm 83:4-6Galatians 4:22-23(i) There will always be a battle without and within us—a constant tension between the life in the Spirit and the life according to the flesh.  Galatians 4:29Galatians 5:171 Corinthians 10:13 (ii) Resolving the conflict requires us to obediently put away the life according to the flesh, no matter how painful it may be.  2 Corinthians 5:17 3. As we walk in obedience on the path of faith, God, in His mercy, gently eases the pain of letting go of the old life (v 13-21). Brethren, obedience may be costly, but it is never cold.  The same God who calls us to lay something down is the One who gently reminds us: “I see.  I know.  And I will care for what you entrust to Me.  Let not your heart be troubled.”  Amen.

    49 min
  2. 08/09/2025

    Faith, Not Fortune

    Scripture Passage: Matthew 6:16-18 Introduction Planning and providing for “rainy days” will secure us and free us from worries.But stressful everyday living leaves even kingdom people insecure and anxious about their futureKingdom life is supposed to be a blessed life (Mat 5:3-11). Secure, stress-free lives begins with where our hearts and our eyes are focused and who is our master. (19-24) Are your riches in the right place (20-21)Is your thought life following the right direction. (22-23) Is your heart divided between two Masters (24) Instead of relying on stuff and more stuff for security, we seek God first and trust His provision. (26-30, 33) Our security doesn’t come from holding fast to stuff. (26-32)Our security comes from letting go of stuff and seeking God first (5:6, 6:33)When we seek God first, He will take care of the rest (32-33) As disciples we are freed to live in peace and confidence in an otherwise anxiety-filled world. God has promised to take care of our todays (34)Jesus came lived, died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit into us in order that we might live free from worries Conclusion Jesus calls us to stop clinging to uncertain riches in a world where the only constant is change. Start seeking God’s kingdom first in your lives.When we seek God’s kingdom first, we have all we need for kingdom life. We are free from anxiety. But kingdom life in this world is far from easy triumphalism without cost. And it is faith not fortune that gives us this freedom.

    39 min
  3. 11/23/2024

    Unplugging Our Pools Of Tears

    Scripture Reading: Psalm 42-43 I. Introduction II. It is possible for a Christian to be seeking to walk with God and yet is downcast and depressed. (42:1-5) a. The psalmist is on who thirsts for the living God and longs to meet God and joins God’s people in worship (1,2) b. He laments he is discouraged, sad and depressed, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (5) c. He is experiencing oppression, isolation, and loss of service opportunity as he recalled better times (3,4) III. In our struggles with discouragement, we raise openly our issues and grouses to God (42:6-11) a. Although he is cast down and separated from the temple, he digs deep to share his predicament to God (6-8) b. He openly raises his despair to God (9-10) IV. We unplug our pools of tears through talking to our God for deliverance and talking to ourselves to hope in the Lord.(43:1-5) a. Talk to your just and protective God for your deliverance (1-4) b. Talk to yourself instead of allowing yourself to talk to you (5, 42:5,11) V. Conclusion 1. It is so easy for our circumstances to deprive us of hope. So how do we unplug our pools of tears and depression? 2. Hope in God. God’s promises and who it is that died and rose again to pay those promises, are stronger than our circumstances. We are no more victims but are now overcomers. 3. And that is a truth we like the psalmist, has to keep reminding ourselves constantly when we are in the dumps. “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Yes AGAIN, I shall return to praise Him.

    53 min

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From the pulpit of Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, Singapore