October Devotional Journal by Covenant EFC

October

2020 DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Mark 10 29-30 Jesus said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.â&#x20AC;?

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

October

2020

Mark 10 29-30 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

Memory

Verses 20

January

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” MARK 1:11 (ESV)

February

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” MARK 1:38 (ESV)

March

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” MARK 2:17 (ESV)

April

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. MARK 3:14–15 (ESV)

May

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. MARK 6:34 (ESV)

4 // © 2 0 1 9 C O V E N A N T E V A N G E L I C A L F R E E C H U R C H

June

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” MARK 8:34 (ESV)

July

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it. MARK 8:35 (ESV)

August

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? MARK 8:36–37 (ESV)

Septmber

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” MARK 9:35 (ESV)

October

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the Gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” MARK 10:29–30 (ESV)

November

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” MARK 10:45 (ESV)

December

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” MARK 14:36 (ESV)

Foreword

by Senior Pastors

20 20 WE WILL NEVER graduate from our personal discipleship. We must always return to the basics and fundamentals! But we must also ask God to take us to new heights.

YEAR OF GREATER DISCIPLESHIP

o as Senior Pastors, we will lead Covenant EFC in 2020 into a Year of Greater Discipleship to: • take our Personal Discipleship deeper (keep digging into God’s Word and obey Him); • take our Family Discipleship higher (keep modelling Jesus and grow together); and • take our Disciplemaking further (keep sharing our faith and disciple others). We believe that the Gospel of Mark ia an appropriate book to study together as a church to grow towards Greater Discipleship. Uniquely, Mark was the first Gospel written and the shortest one. It was written for a

Roman audience and moves very quickly with various snapshots of the Servant King’s ministry. What is intriguing is that it was written by John Mark. We first see John Mark in Acts 12. Thereafter, he went on a missionary trip with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 12:25; 13:5,13, but for whatever reasons, John dropped out halfway. When we come to Acts 15:36-39, we witness the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over taking John Mark on the second missionary trip. Because of him, the two spiritual giants parted company. This is the John Mark whom scholars believed wrote the Gospel of Mark through his close relationship with Peter. How amazing it is that John Mark who was regarded by Paul as a dropout and failure was used by God to write the very first Gospel! This only goes to demonstrate that it is not about us, but about the grace and

power of God. That sealed our decision to preach through the Gospel of Mark for 2020. May God greatly bless you as you use this Devotional Journal to spend time daily in worship, prayer, Bible reading, reflection and application. Our prayer for you is reflected in this very old song, “Day by day, O dear Lord, three things I pray — to see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more closely, day by day!” St. Francis of Assisi wrote: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Whether it’s about our personal life, family, work or church discipleship, the wisdom of this quote applies. Let us grow in Greater Discipleship together! In Christ, Rev Tan Kay Kiong and Rev Tony Yeo

St Francis of Assisi

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Guide To Using

THIS DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

Step One

PREPARE YOUR HEART IN GOD’S PRESENCE • Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed. • Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down. • Begin with a song of worship. Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune. (Refer to the list of worship songs provided.) • Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.

SOMETHING TO PONDER Examining your life is essential in your faith journey. Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

Step Two

ALLOW GOD TO S.O.A.P. YOU WITH HIS WORD AND SPIRIT • Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you. • Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly. • Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone. • Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer. PRAYER POINTERS FOR 2020

We have provided prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff every Tuesday and for the Generations every Wednesday. Every Thursday, a prayer pointer is included for Outreach/ Missions/New Life Leaders. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for SGI Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders and Assistant CG Leaders). A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday. Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

T H E

C H U R C H

B E Y O N D

Pray for

E-Missions Luke 4:16-21 (ESV)

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

hese verses reveal the Lord’s heartbeat for the last, the least and the lost. This message is equally relevant and life-saving today as it was in the past. Jesus is the good news to the poor, liberty to those in captivity, sight to the spiritually blind and freedom to the oppressed. We give thanks to God for the digital space and technology, especially this year with the Covid-19 pandemic. Technology has helped us to connect with one another, work, order food

deliveries and even entertain ourselves without needing to step out of the house. However, we often don’t realise that with the benefits that technology brings, there is also the flip side of things. Many in the older generation have been left behind. There is easy access to pornography and a significant increase in pornography consumption. Emotional connections between people are less real and deep. We see a rise in cyber-bullying. The list goes on. In some areas of our lives, the digital space has often become our master instead of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not unlike us, there are many people out there in the digital space who are waiting to know the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. The “digital” missions field is ripe for the harvest! May the Lord raise up His workers to go forth and proclaim the good news (Jn 4:35)!

Pray That we will confess and repent that we have let technology become the master in parts of our lives. That God will give us a heart after Himself and that we will become good stewards of the digital space. For those people around us who have been isolated as a result of the digital divide. That we will be the salt and light in the digital space and social media (Matt 5:13-16). That we will have hearts of compassion for the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed who today spend much time online (Isa 49:8-10). That God will raise up disciples and workers to be sent out into the digital missions field to proclaim the good news to this digital generation (Matt 9:37-38). For the Gospel to shine brightly in the digital space, bringing hope and salvation to many people. That God will open doors in the digital space to creative-access nations, so that the Gospel can be preached unhindered in these nations (Mk 16:15).

Worship Songs

SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER

LET THERE BE LIGHT

September-October

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD Verse 1 The splendour of the King, clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice Chorus How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, all will see How great, how great is our God Verse 2 Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands Beginning and the end, beginning and the end The Godhead, three in one: Father, Spirit, Son The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb Bridge Name above all names Worthy of all praise My heart will sing “How great is our God!” Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves © 2004 Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)); sixsteps Music (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.); worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) CCLI Song # 4348399 CCLI License # 324618

AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE) Verse 1 Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found Was blind, but now I see Verse 2 T’was grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed Chorus My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love, Amazing Grace Verse 3 The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures Verse 4 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God, who called me here below Will be forever mine Chris Tomlin | John Newton | Louie Giglio © 2006 sixsteps Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 4768151 CCLI License # 324618

HOW GREAT THOU ART Verse 1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Chorus Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee: How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Verse 2 When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze Verse 3 And when I think that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin Verse 4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then shall I bow in humble adoration And there proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!” Stuart Wesley Keene Hine © 1949 and 1953 Stuart K. Hine Trust (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 14181 CCLI License # 324618

GREAT ARE YOU LORD Verse You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore every heart that is broken And great are You, Lord Chorus It’s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It’s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only Bridge And all the earth will shout Your praise Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing Great are You, Lord (Repeat) David Leonard | Jason Ingram | Leslie Jordan © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 6460220 CCLI License # 324618

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

IN CHRIST ALONE Verse 1 In Christ alone, my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand Verse 2 In Christ alone! Who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live Verse 3 There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His, and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Verse 4 No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand Keith Getty | Stuart Townend © 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 3350395 CCLI License # 324618

I GIVE YOU MY HEART Verse This is my desire To honour You Lord, with all my heart I worship You All I have within me I give You praise All that I adore Is in You Chorus Lord, I give You my heart I give You my song I live for you alone Every breath that I take Every moment I’m awake Lord, have Your way in me Reuben Morgan © 1995 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 1866132 CCLI License # 324618

O PRAISE THE NAME (ANÁSTASIS) Verse 1 I cast my mind to Calvary Where Jesus bled and died for me I see His wounds, His hands, His feet My Savior on that cursed tree Verse 2 His body bound and drenched in tears They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb The entrance sealed by heavy stone Messiah still and all alone Chorus O praise the Name of the Lord our God O praise His Name forevermore For endless days we will sing Your praise Oh Lord, oh Lord our God Verse 3 Then on the third at break of dawn The Son of heaven rose again O trampled death, where is your sting? The angels roar for Christ the King Verse 4 He shall return in robes of white The blazing sun shall pierce the night And I will rise among the saints My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face Benjamin Hastings | Dean Ussher | Marty Sampson © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7037787 CCLI License # 324618

YOU ARE GOD ALONE Verse 1 You are not a god Created by human hands You are not a god Dependent on any mortal man You are not a god In need of anything we can give By Your plan, that’s just the way it is Chorus You are God alone From before time began You were on Your throne You are God alone And right now In the good times and bad You are on Your throne You are God alone Verse 2 You’re the only God Whose power none can contend You’re the only God Whose name and praise will never end You’re the only God Who’s worthy of everything we can give You are God That’s just the way it is Bridge Unchangeable Unshakable Unstoppable That’s what You are Billy J. Foote | Cindy Foote © 2004 Billy Foote Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 4243463 CCLI License # 324618

HERE I AM TO WORSHIP Verse 1 Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You Chorus Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me Verse 2 King of all days, all so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came to the earth You created All for love’s sake became poor Bridge I’ll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross Tim Hughes © 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For Use Solely With The Songselect Terms Of Use. All Rights Reserved. Www.Ccli.Com CCLI Song # 3266032 CCLI License # 324618

MIGHTY TO SAVE Verse 1 Everyone needs compassion Love that’s never failing Let mercy fall on me Everyone needs forgiveness The kindness of a Savior The hope of nations Chorus Savior, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever, Author of salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave Verse 2 So take me as You find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again I give my life to follow Everything I believe in Now I surrender Bridge Shine your light and let the whole world see We’re singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan © 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing CCLI Song # 4591782 CCLI License # 324618

Notes

20 20

“I Want to See!”

THURSDAY 1 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 10:50-52

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make about Jesus and Bartimaeus in their meeting with each other?

“

Deeper Reflection

HAT DO YOU WANT Me to do for you?” Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus when he came to Him (v.51a). Bartimaeus replied, “I want to regain (Greek: anablepō) my sight” (v.51). The verb anablepō means “to become able to see, whether for the first time or again”1. There was great desperation in Bartimaeus as shown in his persistent crying out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47-48), that was matched by his humble dependence on and steadfast confidence in Jesus, which Jesus saw as “faith” (v.52a). “Go, your faith has made you well,” said Jesus, and “immediately he regained his sight” (v.52). The word for “made well” in Greek is sōzō – literally, “to save” and so, “Your faith has saved you” (CSB2). There is a double meaning here: Bartimaeus was healed physically and saved spiritually. When Bartimaeus had regained his sight, he immediately “began to follow Him” (v.52b). The appropriate response is discipleship. However, this does not mean that we follow Jesus only when we have received physical blessings from God. What is worse is that having received and recognised the physical blessings from God, we continue to live our lives following our own way. To be “saved” must necessarily lead to following Jesus. We can fall into spiritual blindness easily and become blind to our own blindness. So, “Open my eyes, Lord!” must be our essential prayer (cf. Lk 24:31; Psa 119:18).

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways are my spiritual eyes opened such that they have a profound impact on my following of Jesus?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To grow in sharp theological and spiritual vision Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

1 2

Johannes P. Louw & Eugene A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains, Volume 1 (United Bible Societies, 1988, 1989), 281 Christian Standard Bible

20 20

A Servant’s Heart Question

FRIDAY 2 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 10:35-52

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus’ question “What do you want Me to do for you?” repeated twice (vv.36, 51) in verses 35 to 52?

Deeper Reflection

HE STORY of James and John seeking from Jesus to make them sit at His right and left hand in His coming Kingdom (vv.35-40) and of Bartimaeus seeking Jesus to heal him of his blindness (vv.46-52) contain one similar question from the mouth of Jesus: “What do you want Me to do for you?” (vv.36, 51). What is the significance? The significance lies in the two questions’ relationship to Jesus’ teaching on servanthood (vv.41-44), which climaxes with “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (v.45), in a sandwich structure: “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v.36) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (v.45) “What do you want Me to do for you?” (v.51) The sandwich structure shows that “What do you want Me to do for you?” is a question of a servant. It is a question out of a heart that seeks to serve and not to be served. Jesus alone is the ultimate and true servant. To follow Jesus is to be a servant like Jesus. We must grasp this vision of the Servant God: “Although He existed in the form of God … He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant” (Phil 2:6-7). When the Lord Jesus returns in His glory, for those who wait for Him with readiness He “will have them recline at table, and He will come and serve them” (Lk 12:37). What majestic humility! This is the Servant King.

A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways do I need to employ the servant-question of Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?”

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To be filled with the Servant Spirit of Jesus Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

A Right Theological Vision

SATURDAY 3 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 8:22-26; 10:46-52

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make about the two healing stories in verses 22 to 26 and Mark 10:46-52 which framed Mark 8:22 to 10:52?

“

Deeper Reflection

T BOTH the form and content level, the Bible is a multilayered book … The Bible has a surface simplicity that children can understand and relish. It is also a book in which scholars find sophistication of technique and subtlety of content.”3 There is an important place for us to learn and grow to read and understand the Bible at the latter level. In Mark’s Gospel, we can learn lessons from its individual stories and sayings of Jesus. But Mark also artistically arranged his materials to underscore certain themes at that literary level. Such is the case for Mark 8:22 to 10:52, which consists of Jesus’ pivotal self-revelation as the Suffering Messiah (Mk 8:27-33) and Self-giving Servant (Mk 10:32-34, 45), and the attendant fundamental discipleship question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8:29). Just before writing Mark 8:22 to 10:52, Mark wrote of Jesus’ sevenfold rebuke of His disciples for failing to see and understand, despite having seen His miracles (Mk 8:14-21). Then in writing Mark 8:22 to 10:52, Mark begins and ends with a story of similar motif: Jesus’ healing of a blind man (vv.22-26 and Mk 10:46-52). What is Mark’s point? The disciples’ eyes must be opened (vv.22-26) in order to see Jesus as the Suffering Messiah (Mk 8:27-33) and correspondingly to suffer the cross in following Him (Mk 8:34-38). Their eyes must be opened (Mk 10:46-52) to see Jesus as the Self-giving Servant (Mk 10:32-34, 45) and in following Him to be a “servant” and “slave of all” (Mk 10:35-44).

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N What does it mean for me to follow Jesus the Suffering Messiah and the Self-giving Servant?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To know the suffering and Self-giving Christ Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Leland Ryken and Tremper Longman III, editors, A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible (Zondervan, 1993), 34-35

20 20 SUNDAY 4 October

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

OCTOBER 2020

LIFE OF PAUL: A FRESH START

Jesus gives me a fresh start. Scripture: Acts 9:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17

ACTIVITY BITE Get your family members to draw a circle on a piece of paper. The circle represents us. Then, ask everyone where God is in our lives: Is He in the circle or outside? Indicate this with a cross. Invite everyone to share their thoughts about this.

CHAT TIME Q1: What made Saul change his attitude towards Jesus and Christians? Q2: What are the benefits to having God in our lives? Q3: What does a transformed life look like?

LEARNING POINT Before Saul (Paul’s former name) became a believer of Jesus, he was threatening and putting Christians into prison. His life changed after he met Jesus. He spoke boldly about Jesus and invited others to follow Him. Before he met Jesus, he thought everything was well in his life, but only God knew it wasn’t. Thus, God changed his life so that he would be more like Christ. When we receive Jesus into our lives, we become new again in our character just like Jesus.

ACTION POINT Get your family members to share one area of their lives in which they did not start right with God and where they need His help to be transformed. Ask God for a fresh start in this area. Then, get everyone to create an action plan so that they will walk with God to make it right again.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank Jesus for coming into our lives. Ask Him to teach us to be more like Him. Pray for courage to speak boldly about Him to others, just like Saul.

20 20

Missing the Divine Revelation Present

MONDAY 5 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:1-11a; 10:32-34; Zechariah 9:9

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem?

Deeper Reflection

NE-THIRD OF MARK’S GOSPEL (Mk 11-16) is on the passion narrative, set during the last seven days of Jesus’ life.4 It began with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (vv.1-11a). As Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a “colt” — a young donkey (cf. Matt 21:2)5 — “many” people “spread their coats” and “leafy branches” on the road (v.8), while others who “followed” before Him and behind made certain declarations (vv.9-10). What the celebrative crowds did was not Jesus-centred as it appeared or assumed to be. Their understanding of what was happening was not as Jesus’ own conscious self-understanding. The declaration, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (v.9; cf. Psa 118:25-26) “referred not to the Messiah but to pilgrims entering the temple sanctuary … blessed in God’s name”6. They did not see “the coming kingdom of David” (v.10) as the Kingdom of God which Jesus proclaimed.7 Jesus’ riding on a “colt” was a self-conscious kingly act of showing Himself, not overtly but subtly, as the Messiah (vv.1-7; see Zech 9:9). Not a conquering Messiah, but a servant and suffering Messiah. “Jesus entered Jerusalem” (v.11a) for one purpose: the cross (Mk 10:32-34). What the crowds did and said as Passover pilgrims to Jerusalem was religious in nature. But they missed the divine revelation in Jesus being present there and then. Beware, we can be like them too.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I guard myself against missing God in religious activities?

2020

P R AY E R

desert, an understanding mind to

yearns for You as in a parched

nee

Give me a heart that thirsts and

se in

spiritual blindness and insensitivity.

Tho

all its manifold settings. Keep me from

Leaders

consciously seek and see You in life in

Significant people

O Lord, keep me from failing to

an Giv d et pr ha ais n e ks

meditate on You and the wisdom to perceive You and know You. Help me to constantly keep You as the centre of my life. 4

James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, Apollos, 2002), 332 James A. Brooks, Mark, The New American Commentary (Broadman, 1991), 178 6 James R. Edwards, 336 7 James R. Edwards, 337 5

20 20

Prophetic Acts and Judgment Miracles

TUESDAY 6 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:11-21

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Mark sandwiching Jesus’ clearing of the temple (vv.15-19) with Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree (vv.12-14 and vv.20-21)?

Deeper Reflection

ARK’S FAVOURITE USE of the “sandwich” structure in his Gospel shows the interrelationship between Jesus’ act of cursing a fig tree (vv.12-14, 20-21) and His act of clearing the temple (vv.15-19). They were both “prophetic actions”8. And the cursing of the fig tree was “a ‘curse’ or ‘judgment’ miracle or a prophetic oracle that is quickly fulfilled”9. Miracles of judgment and destruction appear in the Old Testament. The ten plagues that fell on Egypt (Exo 7-12) and Elijah’s call for fire from heaven to consume the military captains of King Ahaziah (2 Kin 1:9-14) were such miracles. And so was Peter’s pronouncement of judgment against Ananias and Sapphira that resulted in their deaths (Acts 5:1-11). But it is significant that Jesus’ cursing of a fig tree is the only miracle of destruction in the Gospels. Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:14-15). But throughout His ministry, He faced increasingly strong opposition from the religious leaders and those who truly repented and followed Him were in the minority. And thus, as Jesus entered Jerusalem toward the cross, which summed up Israel’s rejection of the Messiah (Mk 15:6-15), He did the one and only miracle of destruction. God’s patience and tolerance in giving time for repentance must not be taken for granted (Rom 2:4). It has its divine time’s up.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How do I place divine patience and judgment, and human repentance from sins in my discipleship journey?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To be conscious of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kindness and severity in life and ministry Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

8 9

James A. Brooks, 180 Mark L. Strauss, Mark, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2014), 489

20 20

The Deception of Outward Appearances

WEDNESDAY 7 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:12-14, 20-21

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make about Jesus cursing the fig tree?

Deeper Reflection

ESUS WAS “HUNGRY” as He entered Jerusalem (v.12) and saw at a distance “a fig tree in full leaf ” (v.13a, NLT). As Jesus approached the tree, He found “nothing but leaves” – to which Mark made a parenthetical note10: “for it was not the season for figs” (v.13b). Leaves sprout on fig trees in March or April and produce fruit in May or June.11 It was near the Passover in April when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Jesus cursed the fig tree that it will not bear fruit (v.14) and it became “withered from the roots up” (vv.20-21). Did Jesus unreasonably curse the innocent fig tree because He expected it to bear fruit when “it was not the season”? We are asking the wrong question if we focus on the fig tree rather than on what the prophetic act of Jesus symbolised: God’s judgment on Israel’s unfaithfulness and its failure to bear fruit. Figs or fig trees are common symbols in Old Testament judgment oracles related to Israel (e.g. Jer 8:13; 29:17), and figs and grapes are commonly used to illustrate spiritual unfruitfulness (e.g. Hos 9:10; Mic 7:1).12 The prophetic point was: Israel was cursed, not so that it will not bear fruit, but because it was not bearing fruit. “A tree in full leaf at Passover is making a promise it cannot fulfil; so, too, is Israel.”13 Like this fig tree, Israel appeared to be thriving — full of leaves but without fruit; but the appearances were deceiving.14

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A P P L I C AT I O N What are the possible deceptive appearances in my Christian living that I need to be watchful for?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

For The Next Generation: To be able to discern deceptive appearances Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James A. Brooks, 182 Mark L. Strauss, 491 Mark L. Strauss, 492 13 R. T France, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Greek Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, 2002), 441 14 James A. Brooks, 180 11 12

20 20

The Purging of Inner Corruption

THURSDAY 8 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:15-18

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus clearing the temple?

Deeper Reflection

EROD’S TEMPLE was “a huge and magnificent complex”15, which wowed Jesus’ disciples: “What wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” (Mk 13:1). As the leafy fig tree with all its promise of fruit was deceptive (Mk 11:12-14, 20-21), so also was the temple.16 The temple precincts, “overseen by the Sadducees”, were filled with “the immense volume of trade and exchange” that “was crucial not only for the maintenance of proper worship but also for the financial gain of the Sadducees and Sanhedrin” — a “volume of trade” that was “on a scale commensurate with the grandeur of Herod’s temple itself ”17. It is against this background that we understand Jesus’ driving out of “those who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts” (vv.15-16). Do we not see the commercialisation of God and the things of God today? The Church and our hearts are God’s temple where God’s Spirit dwells in (1 Cor 3:16; Rom 8:9). Corruption of any kind can invade this sacred place. We ought to pay careful attention to the subtle invisible kinds in terms of our thoughts, motives, motivations, attitudes and desires. Only God’s Word and God’s Spirit can point to us and purge and purify our hearts of inner corruption (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12, 13).

A P P L I C AT I O N What are the subtle and invisible signs of inner corruption that I need to be alert to in my heart?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as

Prayer Pointers

your response from your

Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be able to detect subtle inner corruption Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

15 16 17

James A. Brooks, 185 James R. Edwards, 340 James R. Edwards, 341

20 20

Foundational Condition to Answered Prayers (1)

FRIDAY 9 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:19-24

O B S E RVAT I O N What significant observations can you make about faith and prayer in Jesus’ teaching?

Deeper Reflection

ESUS TURNED the withered fig tree (vv.20-21) into a lesson on faith and prayer (vv.22-25). “Have faith in God” (v.22) is foundational. God is the object of faith: “Have faith in God.” It is faith in who God is. Something that is subtle can happen in us, especially when God does not seem to be answering our prayers. Faith and believing prayer, instead of God, become the object of our faith. This could be happening when we say, “We have not enough faith” or “We have not prayed enough.” The withered fig tree points to the destruction of the temple and Jesus’ call to “Have faith in God” might be a call to faith and perseverance in the face of trials ahead for His disciples (Mk 13:9, 19).18 Jesus teaches about faith that can move a “mountain” (v.23a). Moving a mountain is proverbial for something humanly impossible, but possible with God (cf. Zech 4:7). Faith is an indispensable element in God’s answer to prayer. And faith is the opposite of “doubting in one’s heart” (v.23b). And “all things for which you pray and ask” (v.24) is “not to be universalised and applied without exception”19. It means then that faith and prayer are not without limits, even though behind our requests stand the Creator of the universe who has infinite resources. Jesus Himself demonstrated the limits of faith and prayer in this way: “All things are possible for You … yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mk 14:36).

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A P P L I C AT I O N What changes do I need to make in my understanding and practice with regard to faith and prayer?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To grow deeper in prayer and faith Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

18 19

Mark L. Strauss, 498 James A. Brooks, 183

20 20

Foundational Condition to Answered Prayers (2)

SATURDAY 10 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:22-25

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the relationship between us forgiving others and God answering our prayers?

Deeper Reflection

AITH IN GOD is foundational to God answering our prayers (vv.22-24). But so also is our forgiving of people: “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone” — “anyone you are holding a grudge against” (v.25a, NLT). “Holding a grudge against” people who have wronged us is an indication of unforgiveness. Who are we to forgive? “Anyone.” And what are we to forgive for? “Anything.” And we are to forgive “so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions” (v.25b). Mark the conditional “so that”. The presence of sin in us hinders God from hearing us (Psa 66:18). So, we first need God to forgive us of our sins. However, if we do not forgive people, God cannot forgive us. And when God has not forgiven our sins, He will not hear and answer our prayers. And we simply cannot expect God to forgive us when we refuse to forgive others. It does not make sense that God should keep forgiving us when we remain unforgiving towards others. The starting point of our forgiving others is God forgiving us. We forgive because God has first forgiven us (Eph 4:32). It is in this divine forgiveness and out of which that we forgive others. Indeed, “forgiveness of sin … is the feature of faith that most perfectly epitomises God’s nature”20.

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A P P L I C AT I O N What is my practice of forgiving others like?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To guard against a bitter and unforgiving spirit Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, 348

20 20 SUNDAY 11 October

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

OCTOBER 2020

LIFE OF PAUL: JESUS FOR EVERYONE

Everyone can have Jesus in their lives. Scripture: Acts 13:4-16, 38-43

ACTIVITY BITE Find out from the Internet how many languages the Bible has been translated into. Discuss with your family members what this means regarding God’s desire for everyone to encounter His Word.

CHAT TIME Q1: Who are the Gentiles mentioned in the Scriptures? Q2: How has God changed you or others through His Word? Q3: According to the Scriptures, how does God want us to treat everyone?

LEARNING POINT Paul reminded us that anyone − regardless of status, nationality or race − can have Jesus in their lives. Anyone who believes in Jesus is promised eternal life and can receive all the blessings promised in the Bible, including a life changed to be more like Him. As a follower of Jesus, God gives us His Word so that we can live according to His ways to love one another and share the Gospel to as many people as possible.

ACTION POINT Discuss as a family why some people refuse to believe in Jesus and the barriers that can prevent us from sharing the Good News. Think of creative ideas to bring God’s Word to your friends and try doing it this week.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for reminding us that the Gospel is for everyone. Pray that He will guide us to love others and be the light for Him.

20 20

Divine Authority of Jesus

MONDAY 12 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 1:21-28; 4:37-41; 11:27-33

O B S E RVAT I O N What does Mark say about the authority of Jesus in these three passages?

Deeper Reflection

ARK 11:27-33, with the word “authority” repeated four times (Mk 11:28, 29, 33), signifies a high and critical point in Mark’s Gospel regarding the “authority” of Jesus. To appreciate its significance, we need to look at Jesus’ authority demonstrated in the earlier parts of the Gospel. Jesus’ authority is divine in nature and it is the absolute power to command, to control and to change situations, thoughts, opinions and behaviour. When Jesus began His ministry, the first thing He did was to reveal His authority: in teaching the Word of God (vv.21-22) and in casting out demons — “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” (vv.23-27). He commanded the ferocious wind and stormy sea to be perfectly calm and they “obey Him” (Mk 4:37-41). Demons and nature “obey Him” (v.27; Mk 4:41). Mark the two words: “Obey Him.” A mark of authority. Frequently, Jesus’ statements are prefixed by “Truly I say to you” (Mk 3:28; 10:15; 12:43). Jesus has the authority to redefine the Sabbath as “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mk 2:27-28). He has the “authority to forgive sins” which belongs to God alone (Mk 2:5-11). In relation to this, Jesus has the authority “to give His life as a ransom for many” to provide this divine forgiveness (Mk 10:45). Jesus has authority over our lives, whether we like it or not and want it or not. “Follow Me” (Mk 1:17; 2:14) is a call with authority that requires only one response: “Obey Him.”

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A P P L I C AT I O N What changes do I need to make in my life in relation to the authority of Jesus?

2020

P R AY E R Almighty God, You have made us for Yourself and

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

our hearts are restless till they find rest in You. Grant us purity of heart and strength of purpose,

Pray for leaders:

that no selfish passion may hinder us from knowing Your will and no weakness hinder us from doing it; but that in Your light we

Pray for significant people:

may see light and in Your service find our perfect freedom.21

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

St Augustine of Hippo

20 20

Fear of Losing Control

TUESDAY 13 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:27-28

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Mark recording this only instance of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish executive, legislative and judicial council) approaching Jesus and questioning Him about His authority?

Deeper Reflection

ESUS WAS “WALKING” around freely “in the temple courts” (v.27a), which was “itself evidence of His authority”22. It was at this point that some members of the Sanhedrin, “the chief priests and the scribes and the elders”, confronted Him: “By what authority…who gave You this authority to do these things?” (vv.27b-28). “These things” refers to Jesus’ provocative act of clearing the temple (Mk 11:15-17). It was in the most authoritative place, the temple, that Jesus’ authority was questioned by the most authoritative body in Israel: “What right do You have to do these things?”23 The Sanhedrin was the Jewish executive, legislative and judicial council which “held near complete freedom in religious matters and restricted power in political matters”24. This was the only instance in Mark in which the Sanhedrin approached Jesus. This means that the issue of Jesus’ authority was a matter of great concern at the pinnacle of the Jewish religious establishment.25 They “saw themselves as licensed by heaven to rule over God’s temple” and now feared losing control of the crowds to this upstart prophet, Jesus, an outsider, who was usurping their power.26 We like and want to be in control of our lives, both inside and outside. It gives us a sense of security, albeit a false one. And present in this is our fear of losing control. The One in total sovereign control over everything can easily blow away every control that we think we have.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How do I deal with the fear of losing control in my life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To be kept from the fear of losing control Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Mark L. Strauss, 504 James R. Edwards, 350-51 James R. Edwards, 350 25 James R. Edwards, 351 26 David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 1996), 442-43 23 24

20 20

A Necessary Discipleship Self-Consciousness

WEDNESDAY 14 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:29-30; 1:1-11

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus’ counterquestion (vv.29-30) to the religious leaders’ question on His authority (v.28)?

Deeper Reflection

HE STAKES OF JESUS’ ANSWER to the religious leaders’ question on His authority (v.28) were not negligible, for false prophets could be executed under Jewish law (Deut 13:1-5; 18:20). Jesus responded to their question with a counterquestion: “Was the baptism of John from heaven or merely human?” (vv.29-30). “From heaven” means “divinely ordained and accomplished” and “merely human” means “arising from error and destined to fail”27. The question seems at first glance to be irrelevant or evasive. It was not. In fact, everything that needs to be known about Jesus can be summed up in one event: the baptism of John.28 It was at the baptism by John that the heavens were parted, the Spirit of power descended on Jesus and the voice from heaven declared Him the Son of God (Mk 1:1, 9-11). The baptism of Jesus was the event that inaugurated His “authority”, His conscious oneness with the Father and His sovereign freedom and empowerment for ministry under the Holy Spirit.29 Thus, “a decision about John is a decision about Jesus”30. This was the essence of Jesus’ counterquestion. Jesus’ counterquestion reveals His self-consciousness of who He Himself is, marked by clarity, conviction and confidence. We can have a similar self-consciousness when we follow Jesus, conscious that we are answering God’s call in alignment to His will just like Jesus (Jn 4:34).

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I cultivate the kind of self-consciousness in relation to God like Jesus — that is marked with such clarity, conviction and confidence?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

For The Next Generation: To truly know what it means to be Jesus’ disciples Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Mark L. Strauss, 505 James R. Edwards, 351 James R. Edwards, 352 30 James R. Edwards, 352 28 29

20 20

Creating a Lose-Lose Situation

THURSDAY 15 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:29-32

O B S E RVAT I O N What was the real issue underlying the religious leaders’ deliberations on how to answer Jesus’ question (vv.31-32)?

Deeper Reflection

ESUS WOULD NOT reveal the source of His authority unless the religious leaders answered His question: “Was the baptism of John from heaven or merely human?” (vv.29-30). The twice repeated imperative in Jesus’ question, “Answer Me” – His demand for an answer from Israel’s religious elite – demonstrated His authority. The religious leaders found themselves caught in a dilemma by Jesus’ counterquestion which they had no choice but to answer. If their answer was affirmative, it would open them to the charge of rejecting God’s messenger: “Why didn’t you believe in him?” (v.31). And what was more at stake for them was: If they were to accept the legitimacy of John’s ministry, then they should also accept Jesus’ authority, since John was the forerunner who pointed to Jesus as the coming Messiah. And a negative answer would place them in opposition to the people, who revered John and believed that he was a prophet from God (v.32). So, whatever their answer would be, they were going to lose something. Underlying the creation of the dilemma and a lose-lose situation is one thing: the adamant refusal to accept Jesus’ authority. Life is simple when it is lived under the lordship of Jesus, notwithstanding the complex challenges of the cross. But when we try to skirt around the lordship of Jesus in our Christianity for something more palatable, we will end up in a lose-lose situation.

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A P P L I C AT I O N What is a lose-lose situation that I am in in my relationship with the Lord that I need to deal with?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To diligently keep a simple and pure devotion to Jesus Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

Suppression of the Truth

FRIDAY 16 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:29-32

O B S E RVAT I O N How did the religious leaders show that they were suppressing the truth (vv.31-32)?

Deeper Reflection

HE MOST AUTHORITATIVE body in Israel, the Sanhedrin, confronted Jesus about His authority in the most authoritative place, the temple, which the Sanhedrin considered themselves as being authorised by God to safeguard. They did so because their own authority was being threatened and their domination might be subverted. And they did so because they recognised Jesus’ unique power, just as they did on an earlier occasion but attributed it to the demonic (Mk 3:22). Their refusal to recognise and accept Jesus’ divine authority was an act of “suppressing the truth” in ungodliness and unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). We suppress the truth when we know the truth, but knowingly and defiantly ignore and reject the truth. We suppress the truth when even though we know God, we do not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him (Rom 1:21), but trivialise and domesticate Him; when we trade the glory of God for human glory (Rom 1:23); when we exchange the truth of God for a lie, worshipping any form of human creation — philosophical, cultural and technological — rather than the Creator (Rom 1:25). The religious leaders suppressed the truth because “they were afraid of the people” (v.32). This fear was generated by self-interest: they did not want to lose their credibility, but ultimately they lose their souls. They feared people because they did not fear Heaven.

A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways do I suppress the truth in my life and how will I guard against this?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To be watchful against supressing the truth Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

20 20

Evasion from the Truth

SATURDAY 17 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 11:29-33

O B S E RVAT I O N How did the religious leaders show that they were evading the truth (vv.31-33)?

Deeper Reflection

AVING BEEN PUT into a self-inflicted dilemma by Jesus’ counterquestion to their question on Jesus’ authority, the religious leaders’ answer to Jesus was: “We do not know” (v.33a). Jesus’ counterquestion forced them towards a solution that they did not want to accept. The “we do not know” was an attempt to stand in the middle ground. But in reality, it was an evasion from the truth — which was an outflow of the suppression of the truth. The “we do not know” was dishonest and hypocritical, for their deliberations and answer were motivated not by what was true about John the Baptist, but the potential backlash from Jesus or the crowd. But deeper in the claim of ignorance is the inability to discern spiritual matters,31 to tell the difference between what is from God and what is from man, or for that matter, from Satan (Mk 3:22).32 Jesus’ response to the “we do not know” was “nor will I tell you” (v.33b). We see a spiritual causeand-effect dynamic here. “We do not know” is non-committal. When we are unwilling to commit ourselves to Jesus, Jesus would refuse to commit Himself to us. Any commitment to Jesus is meaningless unless Jesus Himself reciprocates in commitment to us, and He knows our hearts (Jn 2:23-25). And also, when we are not honest with ourselves, we cannot be honest about Jesus.33

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A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways may I evade from the truth in my life and how will I guard against this?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To be vigilant against evading the truth Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

31 32 33

Mark L. Strauss, 506 David E. Garland, 444 James R. Edwards, 353

20 20 SUNDAY 18 October

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

OCTOBER 2020

LIFE OF PAUL: INSIDE OUT

Jesus changes me from the inside out. Scripture: Acts 16:16-28

ACTIVITY BITE Give each family member a piece of paper. Ask them to draw a heart shape and colour it, using one or more colours, to represent their feelings and thoughts. Then, invite everyone to share why they chose those colour(s).

CHAT TIME Q1: What did Paul and Silas do that changed the jailer’s heart? Q2: How does God change our hearts? Q3: What will you ask God to change in you so that others can see His goodness?

LEARNING POINT Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for expelling an evil spirit from a woman’s body. An earthquake shook the prison gate open. The jailer wanted to kill himself, thinking that the disciples had escaped, but because he saw the Christlike qualities in them, he and his family believed in Jesus Christ. Jesus has the power to change our hearts and when we are changed from the inside out, our actions and behaviours will be more like Him. Others will see God’s goodness in us.

ACTION POINT Look at the colours that you used in the activity above. Then, share with your family members one colour that you want to increase and one colour that you want to reduce. Think of a way to make it happen, while getting everyone to help you achieve it.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Ask for God’s guidance and wisdom to be a better Christian. Pray that others can see the goodness in us, so that more will receive Jesus as their Saviour.

20 20

Falling Short of God’s Grace

MONDAY 19 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:1-9; Isaiah 5:1-7

O B S E RVAT I O N What does Isaiah’s parable of “My Beloved and His Vineyard” (Isa 5:1-7) tell us about God and His people?

Deeper Reflection

HE SANHEDRIN’S REJECTION of Jesus’ divine authority (Mk 11:27-33) led Jesus to tell the parable of the vine-growers (vv.1-9). Jesus was retelling Isaiah’s parable of “My Beloved and His Vineyard” (Isa 5:1-7), which articulates a long history of God’s relationship with Israel.34 Jesus’ parable would speak to the religious leaders who were familiar with Isaiah’s parable. Isaiah’s parable speaks of a profound divine devotion of grace. God had made His people, “My vineyard” (Isa 5:1, 3, 4) and “His delightful plant” (Isa 5:7), showering on them “rich attentiveness and much hard work, doing all the things necessary to maximise the productivity (i.e. the well-being)”35. God’s attentiveness to His people is voiced in the verbs “dug, cleared, planted, built and hewed out” (Isa 5:2) which “bespeak complete and demanding devotion”36. However, for Israel, divine devotion turned into divine departure: God withdrawing His care and protection. God would “remove, break down and lay waste” and “command the clouds to rain no rain”, resulting in divine devastation — the vineyard to be “consumed, trampled aground and not pruned or hoed” (Isa 5:5-6). Falling short of God’s grace by failing to bear fruit, Israel became a garden completely abandoned. If we do not produce “good grapes”, “briars and thorns” (v.6) will grow in our lives. We either progress or we regress. There is no middle ground.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N How can I keep myself from falling short of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace?

2020

P R AY E R Lord, here is an empty vessel that needs to be

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

filled. Fill it, my Lord, with Your Spirit. I am weak in faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me

Pray for leaders:

and grant me to have a fervent love for You. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and

Pray for significant people:

am unable to trust You altogether. O Lord, help me and strengthen me that I may be faithful to

Pray for those in need:

You until death.

Pray for self:

34 35 36

Walter Brueggemann, Isaiah 1-39, (Westminster John Knox Press, 1998), 46 Walter Brueggemann, 47 Walter Brueggemann, 47

20 20

God’s Kindness, Tolerance and Patience

TUESDAY 20 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:1-9; 2 Chronicles 36:14-16; Jeremiah 7:25-26

O B S E RVAT I O N What observations can you make about God in His sending of His servants, the prophets, to His people Israel (vv.1-5)?

Deeper Reflection

HE PARABLE of the vine-growers is a story of Israel’s relationship with the Son of God.37 The “vineyard” represents Israel, and the “vine-growers” Israel’s religious leadership (v.1). Jesus recalled for His hearers the history of Israel’s persistent rebellion against God until His day, which Jeremiah described as “since the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt” (Jer 7:25). And when Israel rebelled against God, God sent His prophets to warn them of His judgment and call them to repentance. But Israel’s response had mostly been “they did not listen to Me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors” (Jer 7:26, NIV), and “they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets” (2 Chron 36:16). Mark the increase and intensification of Israel’s persecution of the prophets: “they beat him and sent him away empty-handed” (v.3), “they wounded him … treated him shamefully” (v.4) and “beating and killing” (v.5). But in spite of this, God had been sending His prophets to Israel “day by day, again and again” (Jer 7:25, NIV). And God did so “because He had compassion on His people” (2 Chron 36:15). Here is a portrait of “the riches of God’s kindness and tolerance and patience” for a redemptive purpose: to lead to repentance (Rom 2:4). But the danger for us is: we “think lightly” of this — as Israel did.

A P P L I C AT I O N How do I relate to the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance and patience in my discipleship journey?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For pastors and staff: To lead and shepherd wisely with God’s loving patience Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, 354

20 20

God Spared Not His Son

WEDNESDAY 21 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:1-9; 1:9-11; 9:7

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the clear common idea in verse 6 and Mark 1:11 and 9:7 that Mark seeks to connect in Jesus’ parable of the vine-growers?

Deeper Reflection

HE CLIMAX OF THE PARABLE of the vine-growers is also the climax of the history of Israel’s persistent rebellion against God and their persecution of God’s prophets: “He had one left to send, a son, whom He loved” (v.6, NIV). Jesus’ mention of “a beloved son” and “my son” clearly refers to Himself as the Son of God. In Mark’s Gospel, its connection with the divine declaration, “This is My beloved Son”, at the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus is unmistakable (Mk 1:11; 9:7). Now, what farmer in his right mind would risk sending his only son to these dangerous wicked vine-growers? It is a question worth asking, for it reveals “the indefatigable love of God”38. Paul describes this divine love in terms of “He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him for us all” (Rom 8:32). In the parable, the vine-growers “killed” the owner’s beloved son (vv.7-8). And they “threw him out of the vineyard” (v.8b) to leave the corpse unburied, which was an act of ultimate insult.39 The rejection and killing of God’s beloved Son would incur His wrath and He would “destroy the vine-growers” (v.9). Yet in the divine retribution is the divine redemption. This killing of the beloved son points back to Jesus’ prediction: “the Son of Man must suffer … be rejected … and be killed” (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33). This passive suffering of Jesus is but His active step “to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).

A P P L I C AT I O N How do I relate to the indefatigable love of God in my discipleship journey?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

For The Next Generation: To know and live in God’s indefatigable love Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

38 39

James R. Edwards, 357 James A. Brooks, 191

20 20

The Lord Has Done This

THURSDAY 22 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:1-12

O B S E RVAT I O N How did Jesus view His coming rejection and humiliation (vv.10-11)?

Deeper Reflection

N THE PARABLE, the vine-growers were no longer content with the owner’s produce which they refused to give (v.2), but they went for his property as well — “the inheritance will be ours” (v.7b). The history of Israel’s rebellion against God reflects the sum total of human history: the attempt to rid the universe of God.40 At the heart of this is: “If humanity can dispense with God or even kill God, then humanity can become God”41. This parable “has a long-range application to church leaders who cease to be servants and stewards and seek to be owners and lords”42 (cf. 1 Pet 5:2-3), like the Sanhedrin over the temple (Mk 11:27-28). The parable concludes with Jesus quoting Psalm 118:22-23, pointing to Himself as “the stone which the builders rejected”, but in reality was “the chief cornerstone” in the temple (v.10). But Jesus saw His rejection and humiliation as “The Lord has done this” (v.11a, NIV). This has a strong note of divine providence. And it is for a divine purpose: the glory of God — “It is marvellous in our eyes” (v.11b). The Son of God can lay no claim to immunity from the sufferings of the world. How much more His followers! “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master” (Matt 10:24). But as we share in Jesus’ tribulation, we also share in His vindication and the glorification of God which rest solely in the Father’s hands (1 Pet 2:23; Rom 8:16-18).

A P P L I C AT I O N What changes in perspective and posture do I need to make with regard to sufferings in my discipleship journey?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To rest in God’s providence and purpose in discipleship suffering Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

40 41 42

James R. Edwards, 359 James R. Edwards, 359 James A. Brooks, 191

20 20

Walking Wisely in God’s Way

FRIDAY 23 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:12-17

O B S E RVAT I O N What do you understand about Jesus from the flattering words of the Pharisees and Herodians about Him (v.14)?

Deeper Reflection

HE OPPOSITION against Jesus intensified (v.12). Now the Pharisees and Herodians sought to “trap Him in His words” (v.13). Hypocritically, they flattered Jesus by conceding some virtues to Him (v.14) so as “to get Him relax His guard and to ruin Him at another point”43. However, all they said about Jesus was absolutely true about His character and teaching. Jesus is “truthful”, His actions are guided by what is true rather than what is expedient. He is not swayed by human opinion. He does not teach in deference to the status or position of others. He shows no favouritism and changes His message for no one, but just teaches “the way of God in truth”. This certainly should characterise Jesus’ followers. But Jesus was put into a serious dilemma by the question, “Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar or not?” (v.14b). The poll-tax was a symbol of foreign domination and so the people hated it.44 So, if Jesus advised payment, it would be offensive to the people. And if He advised against payment, it would be opposing the Roman authorities. But Jesus responded with wisdom (vv.16-17). Walking in wisdom is not a matter of methodology, but character: What we are — “You are truthful” and what we think, do and say are according to “the way of God in truth”. And knowing and keeping “the way of God in truth” must be cultivated till it becomes intrinsic in us.

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A P P L I C AT I O N What does it mean for me to cultivate knowing and keeping the way of God in truth until it becomes intrinsic in me?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To grow in spiritual understanding and wisdom Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

43 44

James A. Brooks, 192 James A. Brooks, 192

20 20

What Things Belong to Caesar?

SATURDAY 24 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:13-17

O B S E RVAT I O N What does Jesus mean by “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v.17)?

Deeper Reflection

OTE THE WORD “LAWFUL” in the question posed to Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” (v.14). It is understood as “lawful” according to “the way of God”, for it was in the pretext of Jesus teaching “the way of God in truth” that the question was asked. This led Jesus to bring God into the picture in His answer: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v.17). Jesus’ answer appears to be straightforward: there are realms of authority for both Caesar and God, and allegiance to one does not necessarily mean disloyalty to the other. After all, Scripture teaches that submission to human authorities is part of God’s will for His people (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17). Yet Jesus’ answer is also rather enigmatic and ambiguous.45 The Herodians would have heard it as legitimising and affirming the rule of Caesar and Rome, and the Pharisees could have heard it as rejecting Caesar’s rule.46 This in part was Jesus’ wisdom. But the fundamental question is: What belongs to Caesar? It depends on how the question is asked. If it is asked theologically, the answer is “Nothing.” For, “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psa 24:1). If everything belongs to God, then nothing is left for Caesar. And this could be Jesus’ primary point.47 That is divine subversiveness.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How can I discern divine subversiveness in my discipleship journey or in the world?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To have eyes to see divine subversiveness Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

45 46 47

Mark L. Strauss, 525 Mark L. Strauss, 525 Mark L. Strauss, 525, footnote 6

20 20 SUNDAY 25 October

S CRIPTURE

O B S E RVAT I O N

A P P L I C AT I O N

P R AY E R

Sunday Journal

The Past Week REVIEW What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

The Past Week REFLECT What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

RESPOND What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying? Commit in prayer.

WEEK

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

OCTOBER 2020

LIFE OF PAUL: FINISH STRONG

Jesus helps me to finish His work. Scripture: Acts 28; 2 Timothy 4:6-8

ACTIVITY BITE Search the Internet for a video of athlete Derek Redmond’s race in the 1992 Olympic Games. Discuss with your family members what gave Derek the strength to finish the race. Then, get everyone to share an incident where our Heavenly Father gave us the strength to complete a task.

CHAT TIME Q1: What challenges did Paul face in doing God’s work and how did God help him? Q2: What does it mean to “have fought a good fight and finished the race”? Q3: When was the last time that you felt discouraged and how did God help you to finish the race well?

LEARNING POINT For many years, despite the challenges and hatred that he faced, Paul never stopped sharing the Gospel around the world. Paul could not have achieved it on his own without God’s strength and protection. God has a purpose for everyone. Sometimes, we get tired and discouraged in trying to accomplish the purpose he has set for us. Rest assured that God knows and He will give us the strength to finish His Work.

ACTION POINT Discuss about a challenge that either your family or a family member is currently facing. Then talk about the possible solutions to overcome it with your family members and submit them to God in a family prayer.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank God for staying by our side during difficult times. Pray that God will strengthen our faith and trust in Him so that we will finish well.

20 20

Take Interpreting the Scriptures Seriously

MONDAY 26 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:18-24

O B S E RVAT I O N What observations can you make about the way that the Sadducees interpreted the Scriptures (vv.18-23)?

Deeper Reflection

HIS ENCOUNTER between Jesus and the Sadducees over the question of resurrection (Mk 12:18-27) shows the vitally important place of hermeneutics — the science and art of interpreting the Scriptures. “There is no resurrection” (v.18) was the Sadducees’ presupposition and belief. Then they looked at the Scriptures — “Moses wrote” — which teaches on levirate marriage: If a man died without a male heir, his brother was to marry his wife and impregnate her so that his brother’s name might be preserved and his property kept within the tribe and family (v.19; Deut 25:5-10). Then they let their presupposition and belief shape their interpretation of the Scriptures through a story of seven brothers and levirate marriage to the same woman that leads to the theological conclusion of “no resurrection” (vv.2023). Note how their presupposition and belief formed their logic and reasoning, which in turn made the Scriptures to mean what they believed in. Jesus’ response to the Sadducees’ hermeneutics was: “You are mistaken … you do not understand the Scriptures” (v.24). We are in an inescapable reality when we read the Bible: We are interpreters of the Bible — consciously or unconsciously. Understanding the Word must necessarily precede obeying the Word (Psa 119:34). Equally necessary is learning how to interpret the Scriptures for right understanding.

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A P P L I C AT I O N How do I go about learning and growing in how to interpret the Scriptures for right understanding of the Word?

2020

P R AY E R Lord, sanctify me by the truth; Your Word is truth.

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

Let Your perfect Word revive and restore my soul. Teach me wisdom through Your trustworthy Word, which

Pray for leaders:

makes wise the simple. Make Your Word clear to me, that I may be instructed and enlightened by the Spirit of

Pray for significant people:

truth and be able to discern what is true and what is false, and what is right and what is wrong. Amen.

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

John 17:17

20 20

Check Out the Scriptures Yourself

TUESDAY 27 October

S CRIPTURE Acts 17:10-12

O B S E RVAT I O N What observations can you make about how the Bereans received Paul’s preaching of the Word of God?

Deeper Reflection

OW THE BEREANS received Paul’s preaching of the Word (v.11) has come to be known as “Berean Bible Study”49 — studying the Scriptures “with impartiality and care”50. Their Attitude: The Bereans were “more open-minded than those in Thessalonica” (v.11, NLT) when they listened to Paul’s preaching. They “received the word with great eagerness”, “with all readiness of mind”51. Their Action: Their commendable attitude does not mean that they just thoughtlessly and uncritically followed and swallowed everything that Paul said. Instead, they “examined the Scriptures everyday” (not merely on the Sabbath). Their Aim: “to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” (v.11, NLT). The Greek word for “examine” is used of “judicial investigations, as of Herod examining Jesus (Lk 23:14-15).”52 They “tested the truth of Paul’s message by the touchstone of Scripture”53. They checked on the teaching of none other than the great apostle Paul with the Scriptures, the ultimate authority for truth. And “many of them believed” (v.12): this was “no mere emotional response … but one based on intellectual conviction”54. We need critical teachability anchored in accurate understanding of the Scriptures (cf. 2 Tim 2:15). Teachability without criticalness can be mere gullibility and criticalness without teachability is sheer arrogance.

A P P L I C AT I O N How will I guard against listening to any teaching and preaching of the Bible thoughtlessly and uncritically?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

For pastors and staff: To be sharp in the Word of God Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Daniel P. Fuller, The Unity of the Bible: Unifying God’s Plan for Humanity (Zondervan, 1992), 105 John Stott, The Message of Acts, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1990), 274 F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdmans, 1983), 346 52 John Stott, 274 53 Richard N. Longenecker, The Acts of the Apostles, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 9 (Zondervan, 1981), 471 54 I. Howard Marshall, Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 1980), 280 50 51

20 20

The Scriptures and God’s Power

WEDNESDAY 28 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:24-27

O B S E RVAT I O N What is the significance of Jesus putting understanding of the Scriptures and the power of God together in His answer to the Sadducees (v.24)?

Deeper Reflection

O JESUS, the Sadducees’ failure to understand the Scriptures was also their failure to understand the power of God (v.24). For to Jesus, the Scriptures and the power of God are inseparable. There is divine power in the Scriptures and God manifests His power in and through the Scriptures. And both are embodied in Jesus Himself. Jesus Himself is the fulfilment of the Scriptures: “the Son of Man is to go as it is written of Him” (Mk 14:21), “this has taken place to fulfil the Scriptures” (Mk 14:49). And Jesus’ teaching is frequently anchored in the Scriptures: “Is it not written?” (Mk 11:17), “Have you not read this Scripture?” (Mk 12:10). This means that our ability to understand the Scriptures and our experience of God’s power stem from our relationship with Jesus as His faithful follower. This spiritual reality eluded the Sadducees because they did not know Jesus who fulfilled the Scriptures and demonstrated God’s power in His words and deeds.55 There is the human active part in obeying God’s Word, but there is also the active part of God’s Word: “the word of God, which performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thess 2:13). God’s Word judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb 4:12). God’s Word gives knowledge, understanding and wisdom (Prov 2:6). As we reflect on God’s Word, “the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Tim 2:7).

A P P L I C AT I O N In what ways is the power of God manifested in and through the Scriptures a reality in my life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. Pray for leaders:

For The Next Generation: To encounter God in the Scriptures Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

Mark L. Strauss, 536

20 20

Death and Heaven in Discipleship

THURSDAY 29 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:24-27

O B S E RVAT I O N What does Jesus teach about death and life in heaven in verses 25 to 27?

Deeper Reflection

EHIND JESUS’ SAYING that there is no marriage in afterlife in heaven (v.25a) was “the majority opinion among Jews of His days, who affirmed that married life characterised the resurrected 56 state” and a perception that the resurrected life is a continuation of mortal earthly life.57 But Jesus said that when we “rise from the dead” we will be “like angels in heaven” (v.25b). Jesus was not speaking in purely physiological terms. What Jesus means is that the life to come is an entirely new and glorified existence that is far beyond anything that we can imagine.58 Our imagination of anything can only be in categories of our existence in the present creation of God. But the infinitely creative God of the universe, who has given us a little glimpse of His creative genius in our marvellously diverse planet, is preparing something so much greater that our human mind cannot even fathom it.59 And all relationships in God’s presence in eternity will be profoundly deeper than anything we experience in this life — far deeper than even the most intimate human relationship on earth: marriage. We will all die someday. But is God, who is “not the God of the dead, but of the living” (v.27), dominant in our consciousness when we face death? Do we consciously think and talk of death with Christ-centredness in terms of “the dead in Christ” (1 Thess 4:16)? Is our daily living marked by Christ’s resurrection power?

A P P L I C AT I O N How do I view my own death, which will be an eventual reality in my life?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For Outreach/Missions/ New Life leaders: To live daily in the power of Christ’s resurrection Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

James R. Edwards, 368 Mark L. Strauss, 534 Mark L. Strauss, 536 59 Mark L. Strauss, 534 57 58

20 20

Love That Demands My All

FRIDAY 30 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:28-34

O B S E RVAT I O N How do you understand Jesus’ teaching on loving God (vv.28-30)?

Deeper Reflection

N STARK CONTRAST to the hostile opposition that Jesus had met from the religious leaders (Mk 11:27-12:27) was a question from a scribe with a friendly attitude (vv.28, 32-34): “What commandment is foremost of all?” Jesus’ answer, through citing the Shema (Deut 6:4-5), was: We are to love God with “all” our “heart”, “soul”, “mind” and “strength” (v.30). There is “significant overlap in meaning” between the four terms, and “it would be a mistake to distinguish sharply their meanings, as though four distinct features of personhood are in view”60. “Heart”, as “the seat of physical, spiritual and mental life”, overlaps considerably with “soul” and “mind” – with “soul” meaning “life principle” or “seat of inner human life” and “mind” referring to “the faculty of thinking, comprehending and reasoning”61. “Strength” refers to “the vitality or life force that motivates” the heart, soul and mind.62 What Jesus is essentially saying by piling up these four terms is: Love God with your whole being. The key word is “all” — repeated four times. Can we say that we love God in such a manner? Imagine Peter thinking of this teaching of Jesus when His Lord asked Him three times after his recent threefold denial of Him, “Do you love Me?” (Jn 21:15-17). “Lord, You know that I love You” — an honest answer out of brokenness. It is three steps forward two steps back towards loving God with our whole being.

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N What changes do I need to make in my life with regard to loving God with my whole being?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For SGI leaders: To grow in loving God with their whole being Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self:

60 61 62

Mark L. Strauss, 542 Mark L. Strauss, 542 Mark L. Strauss, 542

20 20

The Two Inseparable Greatest Commandments

SATURDAY 31 October

S CRIPTURE Mark 12:28-34

O B S E RVAT I O N Why did Jesus include “the second” most important commandment in His answer to the question that asks only for “the foremost of all” commandments (v.31)?

Deeper Reflection

T IS NOTEWORTHY that in answering the scribe’s question of “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus included “the second” “foremost” commandment: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself ” (v.31a; cf. Lev 19:18, 34). Jesus sums up the Ten Commandments (Exo 20:3-17) as loving God (the first four commandments) and loving people (the final six commandments) as the two greatest commandments (v.31b). Jesus brings together and virtually merges the two commandments of love, making them intimately related and inseparably belonging together (vv.29-31). So, it is impossible to really love God without loving people. Love for God is expressed by loving people and loving people is evident of love for God. Our love for God is tested in our love for people. While the two commandments of love are intertwined, loving God is foundational to loving people: our personal walk with God. But the starting point of loving God and people is God’s love for us: “We love, because He first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19) — most supremely demonstrated on the cross (Rom 5:8). Then, we love as God loves, such that those whom we love will say, “You love me as God would love me.” And for Jesus, “love your neighbour” includes “love your enemies” (Matt 5:43-44). But to love our enemies, we must first forgive them for hurting us. That is the cross: To love is, first and foremost, to forgive (Eph 4:32-5:2).

ÂŠ 2020 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

A P P L I C AT I O N What is it like for me to love people as God loves them?

2020

P R AY E R Write a prayer to God as your response from

Prayer Pointers Give thanks:

your meditation on and application of the Scriptures. For church board: To love people as God loves them Pray for significant people:

Pray for those in need:

Pray for self: