WELCOME (15 minutes)
Choose one of the following icebreakers:
(If you have first-time guests, begin with a round of introduction and warmly welcome the new visitors.)
1. Perspective I
Show this video: https://youtu.be/g0zFtpJCWNU and discuss how our perspective can cloud our judgment.
2. Perspective II
Select a few cell members and text them their roles privately e.g. interior designer, thief, fireman, electrician, personal trainer, secret agent. Give them 2 minutes to prepare and then let them share what are some key areas they would focus on entering a home. The aim is to provide different perspectives given their respective roles. After everybody have shared, the group will then try to guess what is their individual occupation.
Transition to Worship:
O Lord, we praise you for your power which is beyond compare. We worship you for your wisdom which is beyond understanding. You meet all our needs. You restore the broken-hearted and heal the wounded. And you revealed yourself to your people and build your church, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. How great you are, Lord! Fill our hearts with love as we respond by singing praises to you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
WORSHIP (20 minutes)
You may use the following worship songs:
- This Is Amazing Grace (D)
- Great Are You Lord (D)
- How Great Is Our God (D)
Let us pause to wait upon the Lord for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We would like to encourage everyone to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit – if you have a word, a vision, tongues and interpretation of tongues – release it to minister to each other.
Transition to Word:
O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer, guide our thoughts and our words in our discussions today. Let our hearts be filled with your praise. Let us never forget the good things you have done for us. You have forgiven our sins. You have rescued us from death and crowned us with love and tender mercies. Renew our strength and refresh our souls. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
WORD (45 minutes)
Memory verse of the week: Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Sermon Title: First and Foremost
By Senior Pastor Daniel Khong on 5 & 6 June 2021
Scripture Passages: Acts 1:1-8; 14-15; 20-22
Acts 1:1-8 (NLT)
1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:14-15 (NLT)
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
Acts 1:20-22 (NLT)
20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’ 21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— 22 from the time he was baptised by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
Introduction
When it comes to revival, Christians tend to focus on Acts 1:8 since it is the key verse, not only of Acts 1, but the entire book of Acts. Often, we overlook that there is a preparation phase before God would pour out His Spirit. The question is what will help prepare us for revival? For Jesus’ disciples, they obeyed the Lord and waited in the upper room before the Holy Spirit came in power. There are two things we need to do as we wait and prepare for God’s revival:
- Alignment to God’s Plan
- Adjustment to God’s Perspective
Discovery and Understanding Questions:
Q1. Why did the disciples keep asking Jesus when He would restore the kingdom of Israel in Acts 1:6?
A1. The disciples were hoping that it was time for Israel to become a powerful nation again; that it was time for the Roman Empire to be defeated; that it was time for them to serve the King of Israel directly and be in positions of great power and influence. So Jesus had to align them to God’s plans instead of their own ambitions and desires.
Acts 1:6-8 (NLT)
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Q2. When the disciples were in the upper room praying, what did God led Peter to do?
A2. Peter was led by God to tell the people to appoint a new 12 to take the place of Judas.
Acts 1:14-15 (NLT)
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. 15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
Acts 1:20-22 (NLT)
20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’ 21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— 22 from the time he was baptised by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
Q3. Why was it important for the disciples to find a replacement for Judas?
A3. It was because God said so. And though it may seem trivial or insignificant to the disciples or even us, it wasn’t for God. So the disciples had to adjust themselves to God’s perspective to fill the gap in completing the 12, and for the prophecies of Scripture to be fulfilled including the accomplishment of Jesus’ Great Commission.
Psalm 69:25 (NIV)
May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
Psalm 109:8 (NLT)
Let his years be few; let someone else take his position.
Application Questions
Break into smaller groups, share, pray and minister to one another.
Q1. Do you struggle like the disciples in pursuing your own personal interests instead of God’s spiritual revival, i.e. to see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and lost souls saved?
Q2. What perspectives do you need to change so that you can prepare for revival?
Transition to Works:
Lord God Almighty, we pray for the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ Jesus, who is your very image, to be made known to those who are lost. Draw them to yourself as we seek your face and ask that in your mercy, you will remove whatever is blocking their minds to receive the gospel. Let them see the futility of going their own way and the blessing of embracing the life-giving Savior. Show us how to help people draw closer to you. Amen!
WORKS (15 minutes)
1. Focus on CG Outreach
The focus of CG meetings is edification, equipping and evangelism.
In each CG meeting, spend some time to encourage your Members to do personal outreach right where they are. Give sometime each week during the WORKS portion for them to share their outreach efforts.
Plan regular (monthly or quarterly CG outreach, either as a whole CG or in separate groups) into your CG roster, using the existing covid19 guidelines to plan your activities/programmes.
The next XFXZ will be in September. Use the CG time to prepare your Members and get their buy-in to conducting a XFXZ cell the next round.
2. Prayer over Covid19 Situation
Consecrate some time each CG meeting to be praying for the situation; and to remain connected with one another.
4. Continue to Connect
a) With cell group members
- Hold your cell members accountable to watch the Livestream Service.
- Seek ways and means to stay connected with each other. For example:
- Synchronize prayer times
- Share devotional thoughts through WhatsApp. Encourage your members to share their Quiet Time Reflections in your cell group chat.
- Create a cell group hashtag - Post uplifting messages, sermon videos and notes, or even bookmark pretty verse images by leaving these in your cell group hashtag as a comment.
- Video call each other
- Continue with your cell group meetings online. Ensure that none of your members fall through the cracks. Continue to monitor the attendance of your online meetings.
b) With Potential BESTs / Pre-Believers
- Evangelism need not take a back seat with livestreaming. Invite pre-believing friends/Bests/3x3 contacts (depending on their comfort level) to join you in watching our livestream service. Connect online with them and spur other members to do so.
- When the salvation altar call is made during livestreaming, a Response Form link will be screened over the livestream for those who have responded or want to respond, to fill in. The livestream links are:
- For English -- www.fcbc.org.sg/connectwithus
- For Chinese -- www.fcbc.org.sg/zh/connectwithus
Get your pre-believing contacts to fill up the Response Form or you can help them fill it up. When filling up the Form, try to provide as much of the information needed as possible, and do so immediately after the livestream service.
5. 3x3 Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the strongholds that bind the people in captivity. Ask Him to set up divine appointments for us to minister His power over them (words of knowledge, healing, helps, etc.). Pray for one another to have boldness, courage and obedience to follow through.
Announcements
TIGHTER MEASURES FOR IN-PERSON CHURCH GATHERINGS
On 14 May, the government’s Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) updated its list of measures taken to minimize the current spread of COVID-19. One key update is the reduction in the number of people who can gather in groups and visit households.
In line with the government’s measures: -
- All FCBC in-person cell meetings and gatherings will be suspended.
- All English, Chinese and Hokkien Services will only be held online.
- English, Chinese, and Hokkien Services will continue to be streamed at their regular service timings on our YouTube channel.
- There will be no live-streamed Youth Service until further notice.
- Online GKidz and Youth programmes will continue to run.
- LifeClass will be conducted online only.
For more announcements, please visit www.fcbc.org.sg/announcements or our social media platforms – we can be found on Facebook and Instagram @fcbcsg.