Fundamental Christian Ministry

(A ministry by Calvary Bible Presbyterian Church (Tengah)

to NIE, NTU, NUS and Polytechnics)
NEWSLETTER VOL 1/2002
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Purpose In Your Heart
Youths, in general, have purposed in their hearts to enjoy life, to experience new
activities; new fashion, new music, new dances and they simply cannot understand why
many ‘new’ experiences are destroying them when they feel so good. In fact youths
generally hate the elders to point out their errors and passed it off as the phenomenon of
generation gap. “They’ll never understand us!” – the exclamation seems to be heard
everywhere in the world. Youths might even resort to delinquency like vandalism,
alcoholism, drug abuse, premarital sex to show that they are different from their parents
and they want to escape into a world of their own. The word is ‘escapism’ – they have
purposed in their hearts to escape from the searchlight of God’s truth into a sin-filled life,
full of defiance. Undergraduates are no different. With relatively more intellect, the sinful
heart is still the same.

Dear friends, if you are born-again, you are different. You need not prove to your parents
that you are independent by sinning against the Lord. You need to purpose in your heart
not to sin against the Lord – just like Joseph and Daniel in the Old Testament. We should
pause a while and recollect how they have purposed in their hearts to glorify God.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and was sold off to Egypt as a slave in the house of
Potiphar. In addition to utter sadness, enslavement and loneliness, Joseph was facing
great temptation from Potiphar’s wife who constantly seduced him. However, Joseph
purposed in his heart not to sin against God and hence, refused to give into Potiphar’s
wife’s temptations. For that stand, he was framed by the temptress and was imprisoned.
Nevertheless, the Lord remembered him and promoted Joseph to be the second most
powerful man in Egypt. And through him, the whole nation of Israel was saved from
famine and death. What deliverance! - just because Joseph obeyed God and purposed in
his heart to live for God’s glory. Please note that Joseph did not have any other Christian
to encourage him through those difficult years of slavery.

Daniel on the other hand was captured from Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon. King
Nebuchadnezzar wanted to ‘brain-wash’ the elite young men to prepare them to serve the
Babylonians. The first step was to make sure that those young men be accustomed to the
Babylonian idolatrous culture and food. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not
defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. What
a bold stand for a young man in enemy’s territory! In turn, God blessed Daniel with
academic brilliance that only brought glory and honour to God. We should emulate the
example of Daniel and all the more when we are in peaceful Singapore. Our spiritual
enemy is satan and his worldly attractions and system. If we are not careful, we will be
intoxicated with the enjoyment of youthful lusts that will cause us to lose our testimony
as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ in our place of study.

Therefore, friends, let this new year of 2002 be a year of standing firm in God’s Word
and be doers of His Word. Purpose in your heart to love and obey God more than
anything else. How can you have success? Joshua 1:8 has the answer – “This book of the
law shall not depart out of thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that
thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make
thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

God help us! Amen.

Elder Boaz Boon

Calvary BPC (Tengah)
FCM Co-ordinator

FCM Retreat Report 2001

Praise the Lord for the many lessons learned during the retreat. I’m sure those who
attended will also agree with me. The highlight of the retreat was on fellowship one with
the other. (That’s why we have longer lunch and dinner!) 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord.”

Exposition practice was assisted by Rev Ronny Khoo as he helped the students to
expound on the Word of God. FCMers were each given a short passage, and they were
given time to prepare and share the passage of Scriptures given. Rev Ronny Khoo
pointed out their mistakes as well as give them a few pointers on how they can improve.
This is especially so for the brothers as they might be called to share or even preach the
Word of God one day. The sisters also find this useful as they can apply it to their
morning devotion in the campus each week. “And the things that thou hast
heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful
men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2. May we do so
too by sharing the many lessons that the Lord has taught us, as well as by the Word that
we heard.

The theme of the retreat was on fellowship. Indeed many a time we are so busy with our
school work that every week we will come for bible study and rush to go home at the end
of the day. We also cannot really get to know one another better. The retreat gave us the
opportunity to share our daily walk with the Lord, our struggles in school, home etc, our
many areas of service in church. Also we can get to know FCMers from other groups,
building a closer link one with the other. FCM may consist of many groups but, we are
all one family, one close fellowship.
At the end of the camp, by the grace of God, we have a few newcomers who joined us
full time. They have benefited much from the retreat and show interest in joining the
bible study groups. Indeed most, if not all, are spiritually revived. “Let no man
despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Thank God also for Elder Boon from Calvary BPC (Tengah) who came to speak to us on
our first night of retreat. He reminded us of being an example for Christ and how we are
to be reminded to live holy lives, and be a living testimony for the Lord. Thank God too
for providing a place like Tengah for our retreat.

Special thanks to:

Grace Fu and Zuyi- for pampering us with such good food for breakfast and supper!
Eugene Goh – for helping out in dorm fellowship
Jeanette – for planning the exciting Bible quizzes
The campers – for making this FCM retreat possible!

Lim Jun Sheng

(Student co-ordinator of NTU/NIE/Poly)

North Thailand Mission Trip Report

Thank God for this opportunity to see His wonderful work in Northern Thailand. Though
traveling from place to place has been tough, thank God that He has granted us
journeying mercies and safety while traveling up the mountains. I’ve always heard a lot
about Northern Thailand during prayer meetings and through e-mails, but I’ve never
really understood their ministries and the various things that missionaries are
experiencing. But this trip has helped me to open my eyes to see and even to understand
their hardships even as they serve the Lord in different environment.

Through this mission awareness trip, the ministry of Robert and Dara has touched my
heart greatly. Though the mission ground in Pumen and Den Leung are tough, the
perseverance of this couple has truly showed their burden and love for the lost ones. The
trials that they faced did not stop them from working because I believe that it is the love
of God that constrains them to serve Him. The testimonies of Brother Jimmy and Robert
have also reminded me of the greatness of God the Almighty- how that God managed to
work and transform their lives and even to make them His servants. Thank God for all
these faithful servants, because they have truly put me to shame as my service for the
Lord is not always done out of the love of God. Their testimonies also challenged me to
serve the Lord with more faith and to constantly seek the Lord for help and strength.

Lastly, I want to thank God for those who organized this trip and also appreciate the
fellowship that I had with the team. Pray that the Lord will continue to be with the
missionaries in Thailand and may the Lord send more people from our churches to help
them. “… The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the
Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” Matt 9:37-38.

Sister-in-Christ
Ye Zuyi
Poly FCM

Sanctification: What It Takes Today

(adapted from a message delivered at Life BP Church’s Combined Fellowships Camp

2001)

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which
know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that
the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God
hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7

Pre-marital sex is a growing problem in Singapore. A 1994 NUH study conducted on the
sexual habits of final year students in NUS showed that one in three non-medical students
were sexually active. Six out of ten of these had casual sex for the first time at the age of
18. Interestingly, comparatively, only one out of seven medical students admitted to
having sex before marriage. Religious beliefs and a higher view of marriage were some
of the reasons for abstinence among medical students. The statistics among the general
populous is more alarming however.

In a 1996 survey on sexual perceptions, only a slim majority of 51% of adolescents

surveyed said that pre-marital sex was wrong and should be avoided. 41% looked upon
sex before marriage as acceptable if mutual love exists and marriage is the ultimate goal.
9% felt that pre-marital sex with no strings attached is not a problem. Thought is
transmitted into action faster than people think.

Another significant study was done in 1999 by the Singapore Planned Parenthood
Association. The bulk of the respondents were in their middle teens (14-16 years). On
their first dates, 18% had kissed on the lips, 10% had kissed past the lips, 5% indulged in
petting and 3% had sex. These statistics changed once they were steady. 43% kissed,
25% deep kissed, 14% petted, and 7% had sex. Remember that the majority of the
respondents were between the ages of 14 and 16. When asked why they had sex, 37%
replied that they were curious. When asked how they first knew about sex, all of them
indicated that it was through television. These statistics do not stand alone. About 10%
of all annual abortions were carried out on the fetuses of adolescent girls. MOH
estimates that about 300-400 Singaporean adolescents contract at least 1 sexually
transmitted disease annually.
Some years ago, an alarm bell rang in a certain church. A survey was conducted and to
their horror, they discovered that 46 out of 100 of their youths between the ages of 17 and
23 had already had sex. They were definitely not medical students. But how does this all
affect the Christian?

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 states the obvious to any believer in Christ. It talks about
sanctification; that it is God’s will for the Christian to be holy. Christians are saved to be
holy – to be transformed more into the image of Christ. The holiness ought to be
incremental – he ought to be holier this year than he was last year, he ought to be less
worldly now compared to five years ago. The Christian ought to abstain from fornication
and to be able to control his vessel or body. He ought not to be like the world which
yields to concupiscence (the overwhelming desire to fulfil one’s lusts).

Paul had reason to write this to the Thessalonian Christians because he had heard of their
backsliding. In the very first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, he told them he prayed for
them, remembering their works of faith, labor of love, and hope in the coming of Christ.
These words were indicative of two things – that they once exhibited these traits and that
they now did not. What they once possessed, they had now forsaken – some had
apparently succumbed to the pagan sensuality of Thessalonika. The city was known for
its sexual perversion being a major city on the main trading route. The sensuality was all
around them. If they could fall back into sin and into the worldliness that surrounded
them, how much more the modern Christian? Paul addressed the issue of fornication, of
sexual immorality – some may have succumbed to certain orgiastic feasts common to the
Gentiles.

Now, today’s Christian may not be involved in fornication nor in sexual immorality, nor
may he fulfil his fleshly lusts without any remorse as the world does, but the Christian
today will still invite these things into his home and life. He may not approve of doing
such things, but he certainly fills his mind with such themes. Most Christians would
never dream of doing these things, but ironically will sit and watch it on TV, at the
movies, or read about it, all in the name of entertainment. TV shows like Ally McBeal
glorify the sexual antics of a twenty-something lawyer and Baywatch, the body-beautiful.
How many in churches today will watch these shows or similar ones? There is even a
new reality show which has contestants being exposed to sexual temptation, to test the
bonds of their relationships. Christians have become so used to it that it no longer phases
us when we see it. It shows how desensitized we have become to sin. No one bats an
eyelid when a passionate kissing scene appears in a TV show between two unwed people.
Who would recoil in disgust when sitcom humor has sexual innuendoes? When we
frequent the movies, and Christians do continue to insist in exercising their liberty in this
manner, do we make sure the movies we watch are clean? Most of the movies will have
such themes. Then there is fashion. The human drive to preen is strong – that is why
cosmetics, fashionable clothes, and perfumes exist. But if one is to inspect the very
nature of these products today, the majority of them intend to sell sex. No longer is it just
lipstick – but lip gloss, lip wax, and lip liner – all to make the lips appear fuller for the
kissing. The latest in the market are perfumes containing pheromones to attract members
of the opposite sex, or same sex, depending on who is wearing it. Clothes, meant to
cover, are today, meant to reveal. Spaghetti straps are now a common sight in church
along with body-hugging outfits. Men are as culpable, if not responsible. Somewhere in
the last 5 years, pumping iron gave rise to smaller shirts, which cost more.

The first reason why these things affect Christians today is because it is all around us.
The knowledge of sexuality among many Christian youths is incongruent with their age.
Not only does their entertainment supply them with sexual themes, but street signs with
provocative advertisements are in full view for all to see. The second reason why these
things affect Christians is because we indulge in them and we do it in the name of
Christian liberty. Although we have liberty to enjoy things which have come about
because of God’s common grace, such as entertainment, we do not have the license to
indulge in activities which are worldly, particularly when they harbor elements damaging
to the Christian life. We forget that liberty is not the right to do what we want, but it is
the power to do what we ought. When the Christian is filling his mind with these things,
he is reducing his capacity for the things of God. Whereas the Christian ought to desire
God and think upon that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous,
and praiseworthy, he would rather turn on the TV and watch the mindless ranting of an
over-sexed lawyer; whereas the Christian ought to be filled with God’s psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs, making melody in his heart, he would rather listen to the sensual
rhythms of today’s music. If a church is filled with Christians who refuse to watch
anything sensual or listen to anything sensual, sanctification of its members will prevail
over the sensuality of the age. Worldliness begets worldliness. And we wonder why we
are not growing spiritually.

How then should the Christian respond to these influences? He is to clean up his own
life. The Christian must know that sanctification today takes more effort than it ever did
because of the influences around him. Are you abusing your liberty and indulging in
things damaging to your walk with Christ? How much do you desire to be holy? What
do you watch on TV? What music do you listen to? How do you dress? Sanctification
today takes guts – guts to give up things that you enjoy in order to attain to our chief end
– the enjoyment of God. May God give us the courage and the desire to do that which is
pleasing to him.

Mark Chen
Science FCM Bible Study Leader

DESPISE THOU NOT THE CHASTENING OF

THE LORD
Hi, for those who do not know me, I am Eugene Goh and I am currently a year 3
Environmental Engineering undergraduate in NUS. I worship in Calvary Pandan and I
was a member of CPYF last year but I will be moving on to YAF this year. By the time
you read this, I will be in Hong Kong doing my industrial attachment (IA) and will be
back only in early July, so please remember myself and Walter (who is doing his IA in
Germany) in prayer!
Would just like to share this passage of Scripture from Heb 12:5-11, which talks about
chastisement. What is chastisement? Chasten, according to the New Webster’s dictionary
is defined as ‘to inflict suffering upon for the purposes of moral improvement’ and
according to Bible dictionaries, chasten means ‘to correct’. Hence, we can see that
chastisement involves suffering and the Bible tells us that too in Heb 12:11a. Chastening
also has a corrective element, implying it occurs when we stray away from God and He
wants to draw us back to Him. Therefore, when God chastens us, it is in the best of our
interest (A father will want the best for his son. Heb 12:7 gives the analogy of a father
and son relationship) and it is for our own good (Heb 12:10b) and it is all because God
loves us (Heb 12:6). The Bible also tells us in Heb 12:8 that we are all partakers implying
chastisement is something that every Christian will face. Therefore, we must not despise
the chastening of the Lord (Heb 12:5), knowing His purpose, our weakness and
imperfections.

When we talk about chastisement, one of the Biblical examples that comes to mind is the
chastisement of the Israelites in Joshua’s time when they first attacked the city of Ai as
recorded for us in Joshua 7. Here, we learn an important truth: it is not the weakness of
God that the Israelites lost, neither was it due to the strength of the armies of Ai. It was
sin. The chastisement came in the form of thirty-six fallen men (Joshua 7:5). What did
God command Joshua to do after their defeat? Clean house. Deal with sin (Joshua 7:10).
Often, the same applies to us. When we encounter difficulties in life, it may be a
chastisement from the Lord and we have to take a step back and examine ourselves. Like
how Joshua dealt with sin in Israel’s camp, we have to deal with our own hidden sins,
repent and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Would like to share my personal experience with you. For the past months, I have been
plagued by a personal problem. Throughout this whole incident, there were times when I
felt discouraged, disheartened and very depressed. I initially did not see it as a
chastisement from the Lord. I saw it as just another trial that God has placed in front of
me. Although it is (yes, I am still in the midst of it) to some extent a trial (in that I learned
many precious lessons from the whole incident) there is also a chastening element in the
whole incident. Initially, I acknowledged, remembered and applied the lessons I had
learned, 2 of which is that I am not as strong as I thought I was (God showed me my
weaknesses) and that I did not learn to commit everything to God in prayer. I did not
involve God in every aspect of my life. However, the problem persisted for quite some
time and did not go away. It was only when I look at the account of Ai that I realized it is
because I have not dealt with the hidden sins in my life. God had showed me very clearly
why He chastised me. The next step for me is to repent from my sins, seek His
forgiveness and draw nigh unto God again. That is one of the reasons why I decided to go
to Hong Kong. I need some time on my own to reflect, repent and refocus. I can relate
very well to Heb 12:11a, in that the whole experience was not joyous but very very
painful. However, I am also encouraged in the same verse that at the end, I will yield the
fruit of righteousness which, we know is the breastplate in the armour of God as recorded
in Eph 6:7.
Before I end, I would like to share a story related to me by another brethren: Once a
young man was observing how a silversmith was refining silver. He observed that the
silversmith held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. The silversmith explained
to the young man that in refining silver, one need to hold the silver in the middle of the
fire where the flames are the hottest, to burn away all the impurities. The young man
thought about God holding us in such a hot spot. He remembered the verse in Malachi
3:3a “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” and he asked the silversmith if it was
true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The silversmith answered that yes, he not only has to sit there holding the silver, but he
has to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left
even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The young man was silent a
moment. Then he asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully
refined?” He smiled at him and answered “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

Brethren, if today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eyes on
you and be reminded by the promise in Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Despise not thou
the chastening of the Lord. Let us examine ourselves, deal with our sins and be comforted
that the Lord is refining us.

Brother-in-Christ,
Eugene Goh
Arts/Engineering FCM
UPCOMING
EVENTS!
FCM Combined Meeting

Date: 22nd Feb 2002, (Friday)

Topic: ‘The Rapture’- The BP Stand
Speaker: Rev(Dr) Jeffrey Khoo (Academic Dean of the FEBC)
Venue: Calvary Bible Presbyterian Church (Pandan), (AV Studio)
Address: 201 Pandan Gardens, S(609337)
Time: 6.30pm – Dinner; 7.30pm – Message
Those who would like to have dinner, please contact Jeanette at
Hp: 94779793 or guihua@yahoo.com

FCM Camp

Date: 17th June – 22nd June 2002

Theme: “Pursuit of Godliness”
Speaker: Rev Jack Sin (Maranatha BPC)
Venue: Calvary Bible Presbyterian Church (Pandan)
Address: 201 Pandan Gardens, S(609337)
Contact Jun Sheng at hp: 90265218 or
e-mail at sa_jurong@hotmail.com to register now!
Overall FCM Coordinator: Elder Boaz Boon (Calvary BP Church (Tengah))
Tel: 8922865 (H) 8233546 (O) 98247681 (HP)
Email: boaz.boon@capitaland.com.sg or
boazboon@mytengah.com

Nanyang Technological University/ National institute of Education/ Polytechnics

1. NTU/NIE/Poly FCM Group

Comprising students in all the faculties of NTU, NIE & Poly
Bible Study Leader : Rev Wee Eng Moh (Pastor Of Berith BP Church)
Email: emwee@pacific.net.sg
Student Coordinator : NTU/NIE: Grace Fu [98631593(Hp)]
Email: flgrace@hotmail.com
Polytechnic: Phoebe Goh [5609186(H)]
Email: pho_water@hotmail.com
Meeting Place : Tutorial Room 70, NTU South Spine (if it’s occupied, use
next adjacent tutorial room)
Meeting Time : Every Friday, 6.30pm
Dinner : Canteen 3, 5.30pm

National University of Singapore

2. Science FCM Group

Comprising students of the Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Information
& Computer Science Faculties
Bible Study Leader : Mr. Mark Chen (Life BP Church)
Email: philemon6@hotmail.com

Student Coordinator : Jeanette Lim [94779793(Hp)]

Email: guihua@yahoo.com
Meeting Place : Science Block 16, 5th Floor, NUS Science Faculty
Meeting Time : Every Friday, 5.00pm

3. Arts/ Engineering FCM Group

Comprising students of the Arts, Engineering, Architecture, Building & Real
Estate, Law & Business Administration Faculties
Bible Study Leader : Rev Ronny Khoo (Pastor Of Tabernacle BP Church)
Pg: 94111120
Student Coordinator : Grace Yong [97301497(Hp)]
Email: jeff@pacific.net.sg
Meeting Place : Engineering Block 1, 8th Floor, NUS Eng. Faculty
Meeting Time : Every Friday, 6.30pm