Central Christian Church Singapore Mission Statement "We Gather HereTo Know God and Make God Known." And Make God Known. Posted : 23 December 2005

Luke 15:20  And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with pity for him and went quickly and took him in his arms and gave him a kiss. (Bible in Basic English) Luke 15:20  The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him. (Common English Version) Luke 15:20  He got right up and went home to his father. "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. (The Message Bible) Luke 15:20  `And having risen, he went unto his own father, and he being yet far distant, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having ran he fell upon his neck and kissed him; (Young’s Literal Translation) No matter what version of the Bible we open, when Luke 15 is read, we see an undeniable truth: that even when one turns their back on God, He still welcomes them back with arms opened wide! The passage reveals His compassion & His passion. And the recipient of this great love? Us!  He welcomed us back, as his offspring; with tears, laughter, a great big kiss & hug – like a reunion of a broken relationship! When we got helped out of the waters of baptism - that described us. At a time when we knew no other way, no other choice, wasn’t it good to know a God that doesn’t give up on us? We felt a deep sense of gratitude because we knew we were being reunited with our loving Father. It is a joy that is difficult to describe in words because it was a joy of coming home. The heart of God is truly what the Bible reveals. From the creation of Man, the Scriptures takes us through Israel’s history filled with exploits of men, adventures, acts of heroism, betrayal, murder & passion. And yet nowhere else can we find a God whose central theme is to intensely desire a relationship with man. God wants all men to be saved. (2 Timothy 1:4) We are the chosen instruments through which His heart for the lost can be known so as to let them come to knowledge of the truth. Yet, we need to remind ourselves God’s desire should be our desire. All the things God has been doing for men had been directed toward the one single purpose of making Himself  known to them. In Luke 15, the older son spent years with the Father & yet never grasped His heart. He served his time, but in bitterness. He should have learned to serve his dad with a gladness & sincerity of heart. His example harkens us to learn the lesson. Making God known to the lost around us is not about earning our way to heaven. It is about being the salt & light to the world. It is nothing to be afraid of, nothing to be ashamed of & it should not be a religious affair. Making God known is aligning our hearts to His heart. It is us being His eyes roaming back & forth the earth, seeking for the prodigal sons & daughters who are ready to come home. Making God known is about seeing the Father jumping up & down with jubilation as He sees those that were once dead are raised back to life again. Making God known is the heart of Him who created us.

Central Christian Church, 1, EDGEFIELD WALK, Singapore 828850 Tel : (65)6343 8462 Fax : (65)6343 8463 2005 Copyright Central Christian Church