I. SERMON NOTES​

​

Facilitator's Note: Introduce the message naturally in your own words. A brief recap, a thoughtful question, or an everyday situation can help. The aim is to help the group engage the passage afresh, rather than simply repeat the sermon.

 

Bishop Philip Lim began by congratulating CCMC on its 32nd Anniversary and giving thanks for God’s steadfast love. He also shared about the newly established ACS Academy, a Methodist school serving children with autism and their families, and asked the church to pray for this ministry.

​

He then introduced the story of a 100-year-old time capsule discovered in a wall of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church in 2024. Among its contents were a Chinese Bible, a 1921 edition of the Methodist Episcopal Church’s Discipline, church meeting minutes and newspapers. The contents showed that, despite the passage of 100 years, important Methodist traditions — the Bible, liturgy, Discipline and hymns — remain.

​

This provided a fitting introduction to CCMC’s anniversary theme: “The Faithful Church”, based on 1 Thessalonians 1:3. The church in Thessalonica was faithful to God, to one another and to those around them. Paul described their “work produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

​

Their faith became known everywhere (1 Thessalonians 1:8), and two years later Paul testified that their faith was growing more and more and their love for one another was increasing (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Paul also concluded 1 Thessalonians by encouraging them to put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

​

1. A Faithful Church Turns People to the Lord

Paul said of the Thessalonians, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

​

The word “turn” is important in Scripture. Repentance means turning around — making a U-turn. Acts 17:2–4 records how Paul and Silas reasoned from Scripture that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and how Jews, Gentiles and prominent women were persuaded and joined them.

​

Bishop Lim reminded CCMC of its own history. The church began following Methodist Girls’ School’s move to Blackmore Drive. Its inaugural service was held on 10 October 1993, and on 11 September 1994, 75 pioneer members were received, including 28 through baptism and confirmation. Since then, countless people have turned their hearts to the Lord through the church’s ministry.

​

A faithful church therefore remains faithful in missions and evangelism, including CCMC’s ministry and partnerships in Cambodia and Nepal.

​

2. A Faithful Church Finds Joy in Adversity

The Thessalonians welcomed the message “in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Though Christians faced persecution, they remained faithful and joyful.

​

Paul and Silas provided an example. While imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). After the earthquake opened the prison doors, Paul prevented the jailer from taking his own life. The jailer then asked, “What must I do to be saved?”, and Paul replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30–31).

 

Bishop Lim illustrated this through Bruce Lim, who had been involved in gangs, drugs, crime and repeated imprisonment. A transformed Christian friend visited him in prison and shared Christ with him. Bruce prayed, “Lord, if you are real, please come and help me.” During a prison chapel service, he responded to the altar call despite struggling with pride and fear of losing face. He experienced God’s touch and wept. Bruce is now a full-time worker in a Methodist church.

​

Our adversity may not be physical persecution. It may be love of worldly things, inability to let go of old traditions, or pride. The Lord wants to touch us if we put aside our pride and allow Him to do so.

​

3. A Faithful Church Waits for the Coming of the Lord

The Thessalonians were commended for waiting “for his Son from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Their faithfulness and joy came from having an eternal perspective. While they lived under the Roman Empire, they looked beyond earthly circumstances to the coming of the Lord.

​

While waiting, believers are to put on faith, love and hope (1 Thessalonians 5:8). Bishop Lim highlighted concerns about declining commitment among Christians, including church attendance, daily prayer and evangelism, and challenged the church to consider whether it is prepared for the coming of the Lord.

​

Conclusion

A faithful church is:

1. Faithful in turning people to the Lord.

2. Faithful in finding joy in the midst of adversity.

3. Faithful in waiting patiently for the coming of the Lord.

​

Bishop Lim returned to the 100-year-old time capsule. When the church installed a new time capsule, it included a Bible, The Methodist Book of Discipline, hymnal and letters from the pastor-in-charge and lay leader expressing their commitment to preserve the faith and Methodist legacy. They also included the names of 19 babies born in the church in 2024, entrusting their future to the church’s ministry of guiding and nurturing them in faith.

​

The sermon concluded with a prayer of thanksgiving for CCMC’s 32 years and a prayer that the church would remain faithful to its mission, live in love and unity, and be the gospel to the people around it.