O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

	8:00 am	11:00 am
Call to Worship	Dn Wang Chin Kiong	Dn Wang Chin Kiong
Opening Hymn	Crown Him with Many Crowns (HGG 52)	Crown Him with Many Crowns (HGG 52)
Invocation-Gloria Patri
Scripture Reading	1 Kings 9:1-9	1 Kings 9:1-9
Hymn	-	O for a Closer Walk with God (HGG 472)
Offertory Hymn	O for a Closer Walk with God (HGG 472)	O Jesus, I Have Promised (HGG 541)
Doxology & Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Sermon	Beware that You Do Not Drift Away (Hebrews 2:1-4) by Rev Calvin Loh	Beware that You Do Not Drift Away (Hebrews 2:1-4) by Rev Calvin Loh
Closing Hymn	The Old Rugged Cross (HGG 143) *The Lord’s Supper	O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go (HGG 544)
Benediction
Announcements

A SONG OF CONFIDENCE

          With Lunar New Year celebrations coming soon, many people are looking forward to rejoicing with feasting, giving and receiving angpaos and visiting relatives and friends. Good wishes for prosperity and health will be shared with one another. But all this festive revelry may seem quite meaningless and out of place in difficult times. Some may already be struggling with declining health and depleting wealth. Others may face an uncertain future as a new president takes the helm of the world’s largest economy this week. 

          The world offers us no grounds for confidence to rejoice, with all the news we receive each day of strife and conflict, severe weather conditions and humanitarian crises. Is it possible at all for us to rejoice in such difficult times? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ The grounds for our confidence can be found in the words of a prophet named Habakkuk. 

          Habakkuk lived in a very difficult time in Israel’s history. God had revealed to him that his people would soon be conquered and subject to the whims and fancies of the Babylonian Empire. In times of war, the very worst aspects of human depravity become fully expressed. There would be violence, bloodshed, killing, torture and inhumane treatment. Habakkuk was naturally very concerned. How can God allow such atrocities to happen?

 

Habakkuk’s Question 

          Such questions have perplexed people in every age. In Habakkuk’s time the answer was that the people had sinned. Justice was perverted and the poor were terribly oppressed (Habakkuk 1:2,3). Wickedness abounded under the reign of King Jehoiakim. Since God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (1:13), He would not endure their sin and wickedness any longer. The day of reckoning was about to come. 

          The same thing is happening today. The world is becoming increasingly ripe for judgment. Moral values are losing ground, deception is widespread and sinful lifestyles are gaining acceptance. Countries that used to have a strong Christian influence are descending deeper into lawlessness and ungodliness. Iniquity will abound and the love of many shall wax cold (Matthew 24:12). 

          God must deal with sin whether it is found in His own people, or in others. This is reflected in God’s judgment of the wickedness in Judah in the time of Habakkuk. As much as Habakkuk hated the sins of his own people, he also hated to see them suffer as a result of even worse acts of sin executed upon them by a ruthless empire. The wicked would not be the only ones to suffer at the hands of these invaders – many innocent people were also going to suffer along with them.

 

God’s Answer 

          This question bothered Habakkuk so much that he refused to rest until God answered him (2:1). The answer that he received was: Although the Babylonians would fulfil God’s purpose of judging His people, the Babylonians themselves would face God’s judgment for their own wicked acts of violence against Judah. 

          God’s holiness and goodness are never compromised when He uses the wicked to punish the wicked, because the wicked act according to their own sinful motives. This is brought out in the first part of Habakkuk 2:4 – “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him…” This shows that the Babylonians invaded Judah out of their own selfish greed for wealth and power. 

          What should the righteous do when the wicked come against them? The answer is found in the latter part of the verse – “…but the just shall live by his faith.” This means that whatever the outcome may be, they should simply trust in Him for help and for every provision and protection.  By doing this, the righteous will ultimately see life and blessing, while the wicked will ultimately see death and cursing. 

          We must patiently trust God to work out His divine purposes for us in His good time. And whenever wickedness abounds we must not doubt His goodness and justice. God is able to deliver the righteous from the wicked, but even if He chooses not to do so, the righteous should still remain faithful to God. This has been the lot of many throughout all ages of history – thousands of suffering saints have lived by faith in God and have triumphed by doing so.

 

Habakkuk’s Song 

          If you have faith in Jesus Christ, Habakkuk’s song at the end of his book will be yours as well when you face the worst trials of life. This is the most wonderful part of his book: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (3:17-19) 

          This song brings out two things that every believer can have: The first is joy in the midst of adversity. One essential characteristic of the Christian life is joy. In Philippians 4:4 we are told to “rejoice in the Lord always.” We can rejoice in any circumstance – good or bad – because we know that whatever happens to us, our salvation is already assured! We can rejoice in any circumstance, because we know that Jesus Christ is with us, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

          Perhaps you are now facing a most challenging situation – the awful prospect of retrenchment, loss of income, depletion of resources, a long struggle with sickness or even death. Predictions about the repercussions of Donald Trump’s second term have brought the most unpleasant feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. What if your future turns out to be really bleak and awful? 

          To Habakkuk, the question was: What if the fig tree does not blossom? What if there are no more fruit on the vines, no more olives, and no more harvests? What if all the flocks of sheep and herds of oxen perish? Can he rejoice in the midst of a total economic disaster? Yes, he can rejoice – because he had found hope by trusting in the Lord. This joy can be yours as well if you find your hope by trusting in the Lord. 

          Confidence in God’s provision is the other thing in Habakkuk’s song which every believer can have. “The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (3:19) The ‘high places’ here refer to the rocky terrain of the mountains. It is difficult to go over such uneven terrain. But hinds or mountain deer are able to traverse such terrain quite easily and effortlessly because God gave them legs that are well-suited for life in the mountains. In the same way, God can also enable us to travel over the rough patches of life. 

          When Habakkuk wrote these words, he knew that he was going to see difficult times very soon, because of the coming Babylonian invasion. But he had the fullest confidence that he would be able to cope with them because God Himself will provide the enablement he needs. 

          You can find the same enablement from God to go through every trying moment in life. When you have to face these trials, please don’t despair. Do not let your mind dwell on your worst fears, your weaknesses and inadequate resources. Look beyond them with eyes of faith, and see the goodness of the Lord providing all the strength you need, all the courage you need, and all the wisdom you need to press on. 

          Will you commit yourself now to live with a confidence that comes from God alone, the confidence that enables you to rejoice even in the midst of the worst trials of life? May this confidence be yours to have a truly blessed new year. – Pastor

 

God is in Every Tomorrow 

God is in every tomorrow

Therefore I live for today.

Certain of finding at sunrise,

Guidance and strength for the way;

Power for each moment of weakness,

Hope for each moment of pain,

Comfort for every sorrow,

Sunshine and joy after rain.

 

God is in every tomorrow,

Planning for you and for me;

E’en in the dark will I follow

Trust where my eye cannot see.

Stilled by His promise of blessing,

Soothed by the touch of His hand,

Confident in His protection,

Knowing my life path is planned.

 

God is in every tomorrow,

Life with its changes may come,

He is behind and before me,

While in the distance shines Home!

Home – where no thought of tomorrow

Ever can shadow my brow

Home – in the presence of Jesus,

Through all eternity – Now!

 

- A. J. Flint - 

Shorter Catechism Question 31

31. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

 

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Jan 20

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Counselling in the Local Church (Mr Joel Seah)

Tuesday, Jan 21

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Dn Koh Lip Hoe)

Thursday, Jan 23

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: The Epistles of Peter (Rev Bendick Ong)

Saturday, Jan 25

        2.15 pm     Ladies’ Tea Fellowship (Rm 1-6)

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM

Sunday, Jan 26

  8.00 am     Renewed Daily 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (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 Renewed Daily 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (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)

  2.00 pm Session Meeting

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

 

Announcements

Bukit Panjang NBC

Bukit Panjang NBC will start its first meeting on 24th January 2025, Friday at 8pm evening at 92 Hillview Avenue. For members / visitors who are staying in the vicinity and are keen to join may contact Dn. Surya.

 

CNY Angpows

Angpows are available at the front of the Sanctuary. There are two types – gold and red packs. The red ones are large enough to insert tracts in them.

 

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.

 

Library Ministry

Members are invited to serve in the Library Ministry. If you are available on Sunday, please contact Sis. Mimi Sim or Bro. Paul Cheong for more details.

 

Door to Door Evangelism

19 January 2025 (Today) Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm Contact: Desmond Chow or Amos Hoon

 

Birth

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Caleb Chia on the birth of a baby boy, Myles Chia Yun Feng, on 11 January 2025.

 

Thanksgiving

The family of the late Elder Khoo Peng Kiat would like to thank the Session and members of Life B-P Church for their prayers, visits, help, kind words, and songs of encouragement and comfort during his recent hospitalisation and during their bereavement. The family would also like to express their deep appreciation to the Board of Elders and Session for permission to use Beulah House for the wake services. Truly, Great is the faithfulness and mercies of the Lord.

 

Seeker’s Class: Book of Matthew

Beginning 12 January 2025! Contain Dn Joshua Chia for more information

 

Church Camp 2025

Save the date! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming church camp!

Theme: Are We Prepared to Meet Christ?

Dates: 17-20 June 2025

Venue: Radisson Hotel, Batam, Indonesia

Speaker: Rev Ian Goligher, Retired Pastor of Free Presbyterian Church in Cloverdale, BC Canada.

Join us for a blessed time of spiritual growth and fellowship as we explore the messages from the letters of Christ to the seven churches in Revelation.

Camp registration will start from today, 19 January 2025. You may go to the church's website at https://www.lifebpc.com/church-camp-2025 to register online. Availability will be on a first come first serve basis. Please do register early to avoid disappointment. If you require any assistance with registration, please contact Josiah Seah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For any questions about camp, please contact Dn Chen Wei'an.