Asia Conference finished formally for us on Monday with a meet-the-pastors sessions at Jurong West. Currently, the whole family is recovering from the late nights and we have been trying to get our body clock back in sync.
I felt the conference was a real breakthrough for us, as it solidifies the cultural mandate message for us.
Ps. Kong Hee kicked off the series with the 3 "Spaces".
The 1st Space - The Church
The 2nd Space - The World
The 3rd Space - A place for society's elite in the world e.g. Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Steven Spielberg, David Beckham
We were reminded once again about how as a church, we love to isolate ourselves and stay within our 1st space. Although we were in the world, we are afraid to engage the world.
Dr. AR Bernard added to the sermon by speaking about:
John 17:13-16
13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
14I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Through his messages, he reminded us that God did not say that he will take us out of the world, but instead we should 'insulate' ourselves from the world.
"Insulation" comes from our Spiritual Disciplines (Prayer, Fasting, Studying the Bible, etc...) and we should not be afraid of culture. In fact, Culture or Society (the world) is one of the greatest competitors for Christianity, as it creates mind-sets and attitudes against Christianity.
The crux of the whole conference is that we should redeem culture and transform it for the glory of God.
Isolation is not the key, but insulation through the Word of God, and Penetration comes as we engage the world!
I think this message really embodies the message for us as a church!
That's why we are not afraid of loud music, colorful lights, hip-hop fashion and technology.
Let's keep on walking with the grace of God, as we INSULATE ourselves and engage culture!
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