St Andrew's Church, Brunei

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Overflowing (Acts 11:1 - 18)

Is there someone you think is not worthy of blessing from God or lesser than others? That was the case in the time of Jesus. The woman caught in adultery was not worthy to be given a second chance. Yet Jesus loved her, saw her as special and reached out to her. No one could believe it. Overflowing love and grace. Then there was Zacchaeus, a 'BIG' sinner, a big bad wolf, a cheat and traitor. He deserved to have no friend. Yet Jesus intentionally pushed through the crowd to go to him, befriended him, called him by name, entered his house and then pronounced salvation has come to him. No one could believe it either. Overflowing love and grace. In today reading from Acts, the unthinkable happened again. Jesus always surprised us. This time, Jesus accepted the Gentiles ... the non-Jews. What the Jews thought was uniquely theirs is now for all. Imagine for a moment, if this has not happened, you and I who is reading this is not included either. Read again how it happened, the mirac

Acts 10:44 - 48

The events that happened in Acts 10:44 - 48 occurred as part of Peter’s first sermon to the Gentiles. God gave Peter a vision to eat those that were considered unclean under the Jewish Law. This vision was a metaphor for God’s command to expand Christianity to include the Gentiles, who were also considered unclean by the Jews. At the same time, Cornelius had a vision. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing (v2). As a result of that vision, he sent his representatives to see Peter and invite him to teach him and his family. In that meeting, before Peter could finish his sermon, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Even the Jews who came with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles. This is a sign of God's plan to accept Gentiles into the church without requiring them to convert to the Jewish faith first. Peter immediately saw it as an opportunity to baptize them. History was made when Cornelius and his fami

Acts 10:34 - 43

Since life is short and uncertain and eternity is forever, the most important question one should know is, “How can I be saved?” How can I know for certain that I am right with God? Peter and the other apostles knew that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our good works or efforts. In this passage, Peter’s reiterates that: 1. Salvation is not based on national identity nor is it based on good works. Peter begins his sermon by saying, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation, the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (10:34-35). The application for us is that people from any background are on equal footing when it comes to receiving the gospel. God does not show partiality. 2. Salvation centres on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible plainly declares that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). How comforting it is to know that God took our sin and la

Become like a Child

Children are curious and inquisitive little beings, very capable of knowing spiritual things and having spiritual thoughts. They question the meaning of life and ponder on their purpose in the universe they are in, but without the complexity of the human limits. They dream of the impossibilities, even entering into imaginative worlds and universes of possibilities - a type of "heaven". Children receive the concept of God without doubt. He simply exists in their world and somehow is at work in the universe they are living in. They see His wonders. They observe His beauty. Even in the midst of pain and darkness, they remain hopefully as long as God exists in their hearts and minds. Hence, Jesus was clear to His disciples to never stumble children from their innocence and basal faith, instead to nurture them and direct them to the deeper knowledge of spiritual truths - Jesus Christ, Himself! He adds that they had to be like children to inherit the kingdom of God. To have the c

Cornelius (Acts 10:1 - 8)

Today’s devotion is about a Roman Centurion by the name of Cornelius. Luke describes Cornelius as a man who feared God. He also led his household to worship God. Cornelius was also a charitable man who gave generously to poor. Some might say surely this man deserves to be in heaven! But the truth is this, despite his good works, he was not saved yet until he hears and accepts the Gospel. Maybe some of us know someone who is not a Christian but is generous and considered a good person according to society. There are many people who are charitable that we read in the news who has donated to people in need and this is what we are reading in these verses with Cornelius. The world has a works based mentality and sometimes some may assume that by their good works, God would accept them. This is where we need to turn to Scripture and Scripture tells us that one cannot be saved by their works but by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. Do we know someone like Cornelius who needs to hear th

Transformed Life (Acts 9:20 - 31)

20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in