Church Retreat - Talk 1: The Presence of God in the Face of Materialism

Click to edit Master title style 6/4/2017 ‹#› Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level Talk 1: The Presence of God in the Face of Materialism Character of Last Days (2 Tim 4:1-3)  Misplaced Love Lovers of self Lovers of money Lovers of pleasure = Not Lovers of God Triad of last days? Narcissism, materialism & hedonism The Futility of Greed as a Lifestyle. Jesus ’ people say “no” to greed as a lifegoal. Lessons from our Eyes “What are we allowing our eyes to look upon each day? Lesson from Slavery Our problem is NOT half -hearted commitment to God but full -hearted commitment to self. Lesson 2 from Slavery We are fast becoming the generation that knows the price of everything but the value of nothing! Lesson from Pagans Worshippers must say no to “worry as a lifestyle” Why? Worry is the “currency” of a Godless and atheistic world The Cure Faith is the currency of the new world or kingdom that Jesus has come to usher in! Don’t waste today on tomorrow   Learn to repent from the “vice of instant gratification” Learn to live with the “virtue of delayed gratification” 3. Love Stuff, Hate People The Challenge of Ageism Singapore is one of fastest aging nations (in 2007, 8.5% were above 65. In 2030, 20%) Singaporeans think people are old at increasing younger age. In India and China – people are not old until 67. In Australia, until 74. Same in UK, Canada, France, Swiss, Germany, USA . W e are fastest aging and becoming more agist ! Prof Sarah Harper H ead of Oxford Institute of Aging: “Traditionally, in Singapore and other A sian countries, would live and work together. Now, we increasingly segregate the generations.” Dr Robyn, ED of Institute for the Future of Aging Services: “ The closer a society gets to being old, the more frightened it becomes, the more backlash against aging – so there is increasing interest in creating a youth-oriented culture .” Problem : Fear of the old! Solution : Favor the young! Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 2 gospel Lessons: Treat one another as God’s family, not as a company, institution or denomination. Favor, not fear, older men and women 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Love & care for dependant loved ones, especially parents, is a mark of a true believer. Redirected Love: Factor in or factor out? Resource or Outsource? Asset or Liability?