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1. In separate zoom groups: B1 or B2. [1130am - 1230pm]

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1. In separate zoom groups: B1 or B2. [1130am - 1230pm]

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Write down your what you understand and some questions you have about your allocated section in the bible study chapter in your respective column for about 10-15mins. Then you will share within your own group (B1 or B2).

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2. Combine B1+B2, with breakout rooms. [1230pm-1pm]

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2. Combine B1+B2, with breakout rooms. [1230pm-1pm]

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At 1230, you will conclude your sharing and head to a combined group (B1+B2). After you say 'hi' to the group, you will then be allocated breakout rooms with Joel, Benjamin or Kelvin and answer a question that is allocated to your group.

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3. Closing - announcements & prayer petitions. [1pm-130pm]

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3. Closing - announcements & prayer petitions. [1pm-130pm]

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We will cease our breakout rooms and be back in our combined groups for group presentation and closing of the bible study session with announcements & prayer petitions.

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Miracles will give confirmation where there is faith, but not where there is wilful unbelief. Delighting in demonstrations of God’s hand in our circumstances is a matter of the heart. Rather than praying for the right circumstance or miracle to present itself to our prebelieving friends, we need to pray for God to soften their hearts. May we also show agape love to them as a reflection of God’s love for them.

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Jesus’ enemies would not believe Him so even if they were shown miracles they could not believe. In their hearts they had already made up their minds.

Let’s be careful not to write off the work that Jesus is doing in people (so we must be patient and hopeful), and choose to see the hand of God working in our lives (instead of attributing success or failure to luck, circumstances or our own abilities) 🙏🏼

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Jesus tells us to beware of the yeast (the false teachings) of the Pharisees. Their little faith in Jesus shows when they forget his power and providence in the feeding the five thousand.

The Pharisees though ‘religious’ did not put their trust in Jesus to work in their lives, family and careers. They were inconstant worry of their lack of control.

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The kingdom of heaven is not heaven, but Peter was given the keys in the sense that Peter was given the privilege of opening the doors of faith to everyone. So... are we, who are believers of Christ, are also given the Keys to the kingdom of heaven since we are also called to share the gospel?

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How can we explain to others when they ask us about the verse where Jesus says on Peter (rock) He will build his church?

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We decide that "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" is a personal decision. We can be in an active church, in an active spiritual group but our hearts need to be decided on this very important point. To know that Jesus is the messiah, the Son of the living God is a truth that is given to us by the Almighty God. Thank God for not hiding this truth from us. Thank God for not hardening our hearts.

Q: What is the difference between rock and stone?

Rock
Jesus Christ is the foundation rock on which the church is built. But is it really true in our context today? Some churches may have been built not with Jesus as the foundation - for example City harvest?

Church
Every believer in this church is a living stone. Although we meet in local congregations, we belong to a universal church and should have oneness to the people of God. So that others will see us as love and unity.
Q: How do we actually unite with others? I feel like in many ways we are only involved in our own church or in our group.

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Peter’s confession when Jesus asked him who He was is different from previous confessions from others as it’s not from an emotional response from a miracle but the statement of a man who has studied Jesus, and this time Jesus asked Peter explicitly.

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Gates of Hell:
Only True believers of Christ, who believed that Jesus is the only Son of God, will enter the kingdom of heaven when our work here on Earth is done.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’⁽A⁾ will enter the kingdom of heaven,⁽B⁾ but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.⁽C⁾ 22 Many will say to me on that day,⁽D⁾ ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’⁽E⁾ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" - Mathew 7:21-23

Keys of the kingdom:

Question- what is the diff between the "heaven"  and the kingdom of heaven"?

Binding and Loosing: The confusion around binding and loosing is because we have lost the cultural connotation and the idea of the words used. Binding and loosing were expressions that were used by the rabbis that mean to exclude or include (forbid or permit). Peter (and by extension the rest of the Apostles of Christ as seen in Matthew 18:18) had the authority to permit or forbid people from entering God’s Kingdom. Those who believe the Gospel have been loosed (permitted or allowed) on earth and in heaven the privilege of entering into the Kingdom of God when Christ ushers it in at His Second Coming. Those who reject the Gospel will be bound (not permitted or not allowed) into the Kingdom of God. Believers in the Church Age are to be preaching the Gospel of Christ. As people become Christians, they become citizens of the coming Kingdom of God. (According to this website: https://www.returntotheword.com/Can-You-Clarify-The-Meaning-Of-Matthew-1619-RttW)

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This section here today I thought has some connections with the sermon preached today - that in order to serve, we first need to rely on Jesus' grace and agape love. What stands out for me is that Jesus really models the way through his life - service, self denial, sacrifice and sharing His glory with us. Found the contrast very meaningful as well.

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When we follow Christ, we no longer live for ourselves or think like a man. We have to be transformed by God and have the mind of Christ to understand His ways. When we think like a man, we rely on our flesh and only want to escape suffering and death.

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Living
Alive - to help others, to point others to christ

Stones
Secure in Christ
Building of the church
Connected with each other
God is the Master Builder
God is the Foundation Stone, Jesus is supporting us eternally

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When we identify with Christ and bring the values of the cross to the people we come across. For example: forgiveness, redemption, mercy, unconditional love.

Deny means to think less of ourselves less and not indulge ourselves, but to focus on the people in our lives (who need Christ) and the resources He has blessed us with.

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Give yourself wholly to Christ and share in his shame and death.

Carry the burden of the cross.

Everyday we must have the mindset change. To put Christ first in everything.

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Yes - in terms of putting others first, and kingdoms purposes first / God's calling. Not necessarily, in a 'missions overseas' context.

No - not in the same vein as Chinese in China who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.