“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

As 2021 is coming to an end and as 2022 is in a couple days, let us reflect on how faithful God has been to us over this past year and give thanks to Him. And as 2022 brings a lot of uncertainties, we as believers can hold onto this one certain Truth and promise—that we will dine with our Saviour one day. As Abbey wrote a couple days ago to patiently wait for Christ, I want to remind you all that we wait because we are assured that our fellowship with Him will be perfected! All the sufferings we face in this lifetime will not even compare to the glory that is waiting for us. And as we approach another year, remember that this earth is not our home but our TRUE home is yet to come for we are considered blessed as we will dine with our Saviour when that Day comes. Let us have that eternal perspective!

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

It is nearly 2022 and we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve gone through several Covid-19 variants and waves. Our healthcare workers are stretched thin. Celebrations, gatherings, and memories all postponed. Lives are on pause, yet on social media people continue to showcase. Maybe it's normalcy you’re craving. Perhaps you’re too consumed with the day-to-day of your life to think about others. Your days lack purpose. You're forced to be distant from a loved one. You’re missing a passed loved one. Or you’re just trying to catch a break. Whatever your darkest and toughest point of the pandemic has been, God is calling you to be patient. Patiently wait for Christ. Hold onto righteousness. Be firm in your faith that Jesus is King.

" 19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

In this season of Advent, we can reflect on why and how we are called to love others unconditionally. Verse 19 says "We love because he first loved us."  As we get busy with Christmas preparations and activities, let's continue to remember, be challenged and be humbled by how Jesus is our living proof of how much God loves us, and how we should respond in love to our brothers and sisters.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” v17

“You see that his (Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” v22

“You see a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” v24

I’m reminded that faith without deeds, makes faith dead. And that faith and our actions working together makes our faith complete. It is easy to say, “Yes I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour”. But then do the actions in my life reflect my faith? Am I loving my neighbour as God has commanded me in all that I do?

If our purpose is to worship and glorify God, then a central part of this purpose must be to please God. And a central part of pleasing God is to have faith, as Hebrews 11.6 succinctly states. The connection between faith and worshiping God is not only found here, but it is scattered throughout Scripture. For those of us who are part of the discipleship team this year, we see faith playing a central part in our relationship with God (e.g., in the accounts of Abraham and Moses). Out of all the things that Jesus rebukes, it is the lack of faith that is the most common problem.

Although faith is so central for our relationship with God, we have been reminded through the current sermon series that our faith can be so fickle. Praise God, however, that Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12.2)! Not only does our faith come from Jesus, but Jesus is the one who patiently perfects it in us! As a result, those of us who believe in and submit to Jesus Christ are not only becoming people full of faith, but also a people who are pleasing to God! May Uptown be a congregation that worships God by trusting in him, even in the midst of difficulties.

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus[a] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Although Jesus was the son of God, he offered up prayers and supplication with loud cries and tears in reverence—learning obedience through suffering sounds a lot like what I go through in my faith journey but the difference is that Jesus became perfect overcoming death redeeming our sins.

I am reminded that I may go through the sinful cycle (including challenges & hardships) over and over but because of Jesus’ salvation, I have hope.

As we begin the Letter of Hebrews, it is helpful to know that the central theme is how Jesus Christ is superior to all things. The letter begins by describing how Jesus is superior to Israel's rich history of prophets, to heavenly angels, and even to Moses. Of course, the prophets of Israel, heavenly angels, and Moses were all good things. Yet, the writer of this letter clarifies that Jesus is far greater than all of these things.

One of my most recent prayers for Uptown is that we will always see Jesus Christ as superior to all things. We have been enjoying a lot of God's provision, and we are certainly experiencing a season of momentum and excitement. All of this is also good. But my prayer is that the good things will not cloud us from seeing the best thing, which is Christ. May our joy and hope be exclusively rooted in Christ alone!

Paul has been so encouraged by the faith that the Philippians had as they were truly exemplifying their faith by their support for him and for their defense in the Gospel. And yet Paul exhorts the Philippians to continue to grow in their faith and love with knowledge and discernment (v. 9).

We should not be content in our spiritual growth/progress right now for we must continue to hunger to learn and know God more because it is only when we come to know God more intimately where we can grow more in love and in holiness and ultimately be prepared for the day of Christ. Let us continue to labour in the Scriptures and seek the richness of the Scriptures and glory of God. May we continue to marvel at the glory of God.

In perhaps the most theologically-packed books of the Bible, Paul's conclusion of his letter to the Romans strongly emphasizes committed and intimate relationships. Paul names 25 individuals and mentions plenty of others! Moreover, his description of these people imply commitment and intimacy (e.g., "risked their necks for my life," "worked hard for you," "my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners," "approved in Christ"). What this shows is that theology is only as valuable as how much it translates into love and relationships. The relationships that are implied in Romans 16 are ones where people have endured through many difficulties for an extended period of time, and yet they still love one another with intimacy.

All of this reminds me of how much more thankful and prayerful we ought to be for our Uptown community. Not only has God deepened our understanding of his character and involvement in our lives, he has also been using our community so that we can experience this through committed and intimate relationships! I've been hearing (and experiencing for myself) this great dynamic from our Life Groups. Let's continue to pray that our theology can translate into committed and intimate relationships!

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans‬ ‭10:11-13

I used to read these verses as a challenge and call to put my trust in Jesus Christ, but always with an emphasis on the strength and quality of my faith. However, when shift the focus from myself to Jesus, the way this passage is understood is a bit different.

The encouragement this passage gives is that it’s not the strength of my faith that makes the difference, but the object of my faith. This means that as long as my faith is oriented towards Christ, He is faithful and able to save me. I no longer need to focus on my faith, but rest assured that because I trust in Jesus, He takes care of me forevermore.

The storm at sea in Acts 27 describes how the sailors did everything they could to respond to the storm (13-20). In the storms of our life, even when we diligently respond to the pressures in our environment, it is still not enough. At this point, it is natural to be discouraged and “escape the ship” (32). However, in these high-stress situations in life, God speaks to us and provides direction. An angel of God spoke to Paul in the middle of the storm and reminded him of God’s calling for him to stand before Caesar (24). In the midst of the storms in our life, take heart that God sovereignly uses storms to reveal and affirm His ultimate purpose for us.

There are many things that we can learn from Paul's heartfelt, farewell address to the Ephesian elders. The one that always encourages the most is that our love for the church must be based on God:

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood" (Acts 20.28).

Often times, our love for the church is based on everything but God. Usually it's based on ourselves (e.g., our mood, our preferences, our role) or on the person (e.g., how nice they are, if they can benefit us somehow). In this verse, Paul mentions two things that should motivate our love for the church: God has appointed us ("made you overseers") and God has sacrificed for the church ("he obtained with his own blood").

Let us continue to love each other with a love that is not based on ourselves or on the person, but based on God's calling on us and his sacrifice for the church.

Acts 15: 1-15

The scripture warns us not to engage in conflicts and that we ought to avoid them. Proverbs 20:3 “it is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel”. However, Paul speaks of the “good fight”. There are just some important issues that must be upheld at any cost. The early church leaders understood that the way of salvation must be clear and concise in their teachings. They concluded in Act 15 that faith is the key that unlocks heaven’s door.

As we begin our season of Life Groups, this passage reminded me of the original model of Life Groups and Church. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayer.” (v.42)...”praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”. (v. 47). I am both grateful for the privilege of participating in a Life Group and challenged by the responsibility we have as members to focus on such simple things… Scripture, Fellowship and Prayer. Let’s continue to encourage one another and live out what the Gospel continually teaches us to do in our community.

How did Jesus pray and what did Jesus pray about? The longest prayer of Jesus recorded, John 17, provides some clues. One part of the prayer that stands out as I pray for Uptown is from the following verses:

[20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.   (John 17:20-23 ESV)

Jesus prays not only for the unity of the believers, but that they share the same unity that the Father has with the Son! At Uptown, there are a lot of exciting things that God is doing in various groups (e.g., among the students, families, children, individual Life Groups, officers, etc.). In the midst of all of these pockets, it's easy to forget the importance of unity. Somewhat surprisingly, Jesus points to this unity as the evidence that the world needs to know that Jesus has been sent by God (John 17.21, 23). So this unity is not only important for the health of the church, but also for the world. Let us pray like Jesus, that Uptown will have this kind of unity and that this unity can be a witness to the North York region!

John 9:1–5 (ESV): 9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

The man born blind was not caused by his sin, nor was he blind because of his parent’s sin. His blindness had purpose. It was to display the works of God in his life.

How often do we blame ourselves for situations out of our control?

How often do we ever stop to reflect and think that the struggle that we are going through is meant to be so that God can work through it, so that others can see and experience God at work?

Lord, in times of our troubles and struggles may you come and work through it for us, so that you may be glorified. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

The invalid was miraculously and graciously healed by Jesus (John 5.2-9). Yet he did not show much hesitation to report Jesus to the religious leaders. When Jesus gives him a friendly greeting, he doesn't even greet him back but instead informs the religious leaders so that they could persecute Jesus (John 5.14-16). I'm sure that there are many reasons for this: he felt threatened by the religious authorities and maybe he also thought that Jesus had violated the Sabbath (John 5.10-11).

One of the recent prayers at Uptown is that although God has been leading our community through an exciting season of opened doors, answered prayers, and miraculous provisions, that we would be more focused on who God is thereby worshipping him. Like the invalid, we often take God's provisions for granted. We enjoy the benefits of God's faithfulness in our lives, but only respond in worship when it's convenient. We are more influenced by circumstances than God's character. Let us continue to pray that we will be a community that worships him through the miracles and through the persecution--through seasons of favour and seasons of difficulty!

A question for you as you read: the invalid of John 5 is contrasted with another person that Jesus heals in the Gospel of John. Can you guess who it is and what the main differences are?

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

We know what’s right in God's eyes but our hearts get influenced by the pressure from other sources and not being able to see things clearly resulting in making wrong/bad decisions. Pilate defers making decision by sending him to Harod hoping that he will make the decision fully knowing Jesus is innocent. Unfortunately we often experience the same in our lives fully knowing what God wants us to do. We procrastinate. We are afraid to make decision fully knowing what’s right  like Pilate.

God is reminding me not to be like Pilate in my life; instead of following god, going along with circumstances, pressure or my own reasons.

He is reminding me how he’s always guiding me and that trusting him is the only way.

In yesterday's reading, Luke reports that Jesus is still busy teaching, healing, and ministering to people. Although some of these passages might seem random, they all cohere around the same topic: faith (Luke 17.5). Jesus explicitly points to faith as what healed the lepers (Luke 17.19) and the blind beggar (Luke 18.42).

What are some ways that we know that we are living in the kind of faith that Jesus exhorts? There are two things according to these chapters. First, faith enables us to pray and to not lose heart (Luke 18.1). Second, faith reminds us that it is not by our own righteousness (Luke 18.9), but by Christ's that we have this loving relationship with God; this enables us to be more loving toward others instead of judging them.

How is God challenging and encouraging you to have faith in your current situation? Let us exercise our faith together as we grow in prayer and in humility.

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

As the seventy-two disciples of Jesus came back from different towns, they were filled with joy at what they had experienced. Jesus, however, calls out on what they should be rejoicing about. 

If you have been a Christ follower for some time, there are invariably a few situations in your life where you have experienced God’s provision and involvement. And even though those are great blessings, we tend to find more joy, or be more amazed by those than our relationship with God. Jesus gives us a reminder that our true blessing and source of joy is not in the fact that our lives are safe, successful or prosperous, but in the fact that our names are written in heaven—meaning that we have a loving relationship with the Lord Most High.

We have covered a lot of ground so far in our Bible reading plan! The Gospel of Luke begins with the long-awaited promise of the savior and the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 1-3). Jesus begins his ministry with much power and wisdom; he astonishes everyone by healing someone who has a demon, someone who has leprosy, and even a paralytic (Luke 4-5). Yet more than the miracles, Jesus focuses on teaching people (Luke 6), particularly challenging us to trust in God more (Luke 7.9, 50).

In the midst of this jam-packed fall season, let's be reminded that more than the miracles, we need to be engaged in the teachings of Jesus (i.e., God's Word). More specifically, let's be a people who please and glorify God by simply trusting him even in the most difficult and uncertain situations.