Crossroads International Church Singapore

17/07/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Invitation

Series: 1 John – Knowing Jesus, Following Jesus, Becoming Like Jesus
Message: Like Father Like Child
🎙 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

There’s no escaping it—most children end up becoming like their parents in one way or another.

But what does it look like when God is our Father?

In 1 John 2:28–3:10, John reminds us that being children of God is far more than a title. As we grow in Christ, we begin to reflect our Father’s character, His love, and His righteousness in ways we could never achieve on our own.

Join us this Saturday as we discover what it really means to be children of God—and how knowing our Father transforms the way we live.

We’d love to see you there!

13/07/2026

🕊️ Crossroads International Church – Saturday Worship Recap

📚 Series: Life Together: Lessons from the Short Pastoral Letters (1 John)
🎙 Message Title: Knowing What Not to Follow
📖 Text: 1 John 2:15–27
📅 Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
🎤 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor
Listen here: https://www.cicfamily.com/sermons-2/

This week, Ps Isaac continued our journey through 1 John by helping us understand an essential part of being an apprentice of Jesus: knowing what not to follow.

Following Jesus isn’t simply about saying “yes” to Him—it also means learning what to reject. John lovingly draws clear boundaries that protect believers from being distracted, deceived, or led away from Christ. As apprentices, we are called to cultivate discernment so that our lives remain centered on Jesus and His truth. 11July Slideshow.pptx

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1️⃣ Apprentices of Jesus Reject the World’s Systems

John begins with a difficult but necessary command:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world…” (1 John 2:15)

Pastor Isaac explained that the Greek word κόσμος (kosmos) here does not mean the physical earth or the people God loves (John 3:16). Instead, it refers to the world’s fallen system—its values, priorities, and way of operating apart from God.

As apprentices of Jesus:

* We refuse to let the world’s values become our values.
* We don’t allow our physical desires to dictate how we live.
* We learn to distinguish between what is temporary and what is eternal.

John identifies three powerful influences that characterize the world’s system:

* The lust of the flesh — allowing physical desires to rule our lives.
* The lust of the eyes — constantly craving what we see, believing possessions or experiences will satisfy us.
* The pride of life — seeking identity through status, achievements, or possessions rather than through Christ.

A memorable reminder was shared:

“If you die with the most stuff… you still die.”

Everything the world offers is temporary.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)

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2️⃣ Apprentices of Jesus Don’t Follow False Teachers

John then shifts from worldly systems to spiritual deception.

He reminds believers that “this is the last hour.”

Rather than encouraging speculation about dates or timelines, Pastor Isaac emphasized that our posture matters more than our predictions.

The death and resurrection of Jesus set God’s redemptive plan into motion. Ever since then, believers have lived in anticipation of Christ’s return.

John teaches that:

* Many antichrists will arise.
* False teachers often emerge from within the visible church.
* They distort the truth about Jesus.
* They twist Scripture to support false ideas.

One illustration compared false teaching to a game of “spiritual Twister”—twisting biblical truth until people become tangled in error.

False teachers commonly:

* Deny aspects of Jesus’ deity, humanity, or identity.
* Present a distorted understanding of Scripture.
* Lead others away from the apostles’ teaching.

Discernment, therefore, is not optional—it is essential for every disciple.

⸻

3️⃣ Apprentices of Jesus Continue to Follow His Teachings

John concludes by reminding believers that God has not left His people defenseless.

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you…” (1 John 2:27)

Pastor Isaac explained that anointing means being set apart by God for His purposes.

This passage does not suggest Christians no longer need pastors or teachers. Rather, it teaches that the Holy Spirit enables believers to recognize truth and guards them against deception as they remain faithful to God’s Word.

The application was wonderfully practical:

Read Scripture.

Many of us faithfully reread text messages from people we care about—but do we return with the same eagerness to God’s Word?

If Jesus truly is the greatest teacher who has ever lived, then His words deserve our continual attention.

We are called not only to:

* Read His teaching,
* Study His teaching,
* Live His teaching,

but also to share His message with others.

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✈️ A Powerful Closing Illustration

Pastor Isaac concluded with an aviation illustration.

Just as an aircraft following the wrong Flight Director or VOR course may appear to be flying correctly while slowly drifting off course—eventually ending in disaster—a Christian who follows the wrong voices or adopts worldly values may gradually drift away from Christ.

Small deviations, left uncorrected, can have devastating consequences.

The solution is simple:

Keep Jesus—and His Word—as your constant reference point.

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🌱 Key Takeaways

* Following Jesus means learning both what to follow and what to reject.
* Don’t become captivated by the world’s values, desires, or definitions of success.
* Be discerning toward any teaching that departs from the apostles’ witness about Jesus.
* The Holy Spirit equips believers to recognize truth as they remain rooted in Scripture.
* Jesus is still the greatest teacher the world has ever known—His words continue to transform lives today.
* Staying aligned with Christ prevents us from slowly drifting off course.

⸻

🤔 Reflection Questions

1. Are there areas where I’ve adopted the world’s values without realizing it?
2. How can I become more discerning when listening to teachers, podcasts, books, or online content?
3. Am I regularly reading and rereading Scripture with the same attention I give other messages in my life?
4. What practical step can I take this week to remain firmly centered on Jesus and His teaching?

⸻

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us enough to show us both what leads to life and what leads us away from You. Give us discerning hearts that recognize truth and reject deception. Help us not to be captivated by the passing values of this world but to treasure what is eternal.

Teach us to remain in Your Word, to listen carefully to the voice of Jesus, and to faithfully follow His example each day. May Your Holy Spirit continually guide us back whenever we begin to drift, keeping Christ at the very center of our lives.

Help us not only to know Your truth but also to live it and lovingly share it with others.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

11/07/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Invitation

📚 Series: Life Together: Lessons from the Short Pastoral Letters
🎙 Message: Knowing What Not to Follow
👤 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

Last week we looked at what it means to be an apprentice of Jesus. But where do we draw the line? Who should we listen to, and who shouldn’t we?

This week we’ll be looking at John’s instructions in 1 John 2:15–27 on knowing what not to follow when your desire is to faithfully follow Jesus.

Come and discover how God’s Word helps us discern truth, avoid deception, and remain firmly rooted in Christ.

See you there!

08/07/2026

This week secured worship:


Watch the lyric video for "Here I Bow" from Brian and Jenn Johnson'...

07/07/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Recap

Series: Life Together: Lessons from the Short Pastoral Letters
Message: Becoming Like Jesus
🎙 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

This week, Ps Isaac continued our series through 1 John 2:3–14, reminding us that following Jesus is far more than believing the right things—it is becoming the kind of people who look more and more like Him.

Many people know about Jesus, but John teaches that true discipleship is about knowing Him personally, walking closely with Him, loving His people, and growing into spiritual maturity.

Ultimately, the Christian life is an invitation to become more like Christ.

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1️⃣ Apprentices of Jesus know Jesus and become like Him

John begins with a searching question:

Do you truly know Jesus, or do you simply know about Him?

Ps Isaac illustrated this by comparing our relationship with Jesus to following celebrities or pop stars. We may know countless facts about someone we’ve never met, but information alone doesn’t create relationship.

Knowing Jesus is different.

A genuine relationship with Him changes us.

As John writes:

“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:3–4)

To be “in Christ” is to walk closely with Him—to become His apprentice.

So how do we grow in knowing Him?

* Receive Jesus as Lord.
* Spend time in prayer—not simply speaking to God, but learning to listen.
* Read His Word, where God continues to speak to His people.
* Practice silence and solitude, intentionally removing distractions so our hearts become attentive to His voice.

The more we know Jesus, the more His love, character, and compassion become visible in our own lives.

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2️⃣ Love for fellow Christians is the greatest evidence that we belong to Jesus

John then points to the clearest outward evidence of genuine discipleship:

Our love for one another.

The command to love wasn’t new. Jesus gave it to His disciples long before John wrote this letter, and decades later it remained the defining characteristic of His followers.

John writes:

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness… Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light.” (1 John 2:9–11)

Ps Isaac reminded us that hatred does more than damage relationships—it blinds us.

It blinds us to:

* the value God has placed in another person,
* the blessings they bring into our lives,
* and even the sin within our own hearts.

Only the Holy Spirit enables us to continue seeing people as God’s creation and as our brothers and sisters, even when relationships become difficult.

If we truly know Jesus and walk in His light, love for fellow believers should naturally grow within us.

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3️⃣ Apprentices of Jesus mature and overcome evil through knowing Him

John describes three stages of spiritual maturity:

👶 Children

* Know the Father.
* Rejoice that their sins have been forgiven.

💪 Young Men

* Are spiritually strong.
* Allow God’s Word to dwell richly within them.
* Overcome the evil one.

👴 Fathers

* Have developed a deep, lifelong knowledge of God.
* Demonstrate mature faith built through years of walking with Him.

Being born again is only the beginning.

God calls every believer to continue growing from spiritual infancy toward maturity.

Ps Isaac illustrated this journey through our church’s discipleship pathway:

Share → Connect → Train to Minister → Release to Make Disciples

None of us is meant to grow alone.

We all need people who sharpen us, encourage us, challenge us, and help us become more like Christ.

As Proverbs reminds us:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

Likewise, each of us has the privilege and responsibility of helping others grow in their walk with Jesus.

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✨ Key Takeaways

✅ Knowing Jesus is far more than knowing information about Him—it is walking closely with Him every day.

✅ Prayer, Scripture, silence, and solitude are essential practices that deepen our relationship with Christ.

✅ Genuine love for fellow Christians is one of the clearest evidences that we belong to Jesus.

✅ Spiritual maturity is a lifelong journey, and every believer is called both to grow personally and to help others grow.

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💭 Questions for Reflection

As we closed, Ps Isaac left us with four simple but challenging questions:

* Do you know Jesus, or do you only know about Him?
* Do you love your fellow Christians, or has bitterness begun to take root?
* Do you have people in your life who are helping you grow—and are you intentionally helping others grow in Christ?
* Above all… do you truly want to become like Jesus?

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🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling us not merely to know about Jesus, but to truly know Him and become more like Him every day.

Teach us to walk closely with You through prayer, Your Word, and moments of quiet where we can hear Your voice above the noise of life. Shape our hearts so that our obedience flows from love rather than obligation.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may genuinely love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Remove bitterness, pride, and unforgiveness from our hearts, and help us to see others as You see them.

Help us to keep growing in spiritual maturity. Place people in our lives who will sharpen and encourage us, and make us willing to invest in others so that together we may become faithful disciples who make disciples.

Above all, may our greatest desire be to know Jesus more deeply and to reflect His character in everything we say and do.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

04/07/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Invitation

Series: Life Together: Lessons from the Short Pastoral Letters
Message: Knowing God or Knowing About God? (working title)
🎙 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

What if it’s not about what you know, but about who you are becoming?

Many people know about God, yet the Bible makes a distinction between knowing facts about Him and truly knowing Him.

In 1 John 2:3–14, the apostle John reveals the evidence of a life that genuinely knows Christ. As we walk in obedience, love one another, and grow in spiritual maturity, our relationship with God moves beyond information to transformation.

Join us this Saturday as Ps Isaac continues our journey through 1 John and discover what differentiates people who simply know about God from those who truly know Him.

We’d love to see you there!

01/07/2026

This week’s curated worship:

Praise and Worship song: All heaven declares with lyricsFrom the a...

26/06/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Invitation

Series: Life Together: Lessons from the Short Pastoral Letters
Message: How to Have Relationships That Last (working title)
🎙 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

One of the biggest consequences of sin is that everyone struggles to get along with others at some point.

Yet in 1 John 1:5–2:2, we discover God’s answer to one of life’s greatest challenges: how to enjoy deep, authentic, and life-giving relationships.

Whether it’s our friendships, marriages, families, or church community, God has not left us without hope. Through Christ, we can experience forgiveness, walk in the light, and build the kind of relationships He intended from the beginning.

Join us this Saturday as Ps Isaac continues our journey through 1 John and discover how overcoming sin opens the door to richer relationships with both God and one another.

We’d love to see you there!

25/06/2026

This week’s curated worship:


Lyric Video for Here I Am to Worship from TOP 25 Praise and Worship...

21/06/2026

📖 CIC Saturday Worship Recap
Series: The Way of Life That Leads to True Joy
Message: The Way of Life That Leads to True Joy
🎙 Speaker: Ps Isaac Johnson
📅 Date: June 20, 2026

🕓 Time: 16:30 (4:30 PM)
📍 Location: Upper Room, 5th Floor

This week, Ps Isaac Johnson took us into the opening verses of 1 John and presented a profound question:

❓Where can we find a life that leads to true joy?

In a world full of self-help solutions, endless distractions, and promises of quick transformation, many people discover that lasting change remains elusive. We often seek immediate results, but genuine spiritual transformation takes place through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Writing near the end of his life from Ephesus, the Apostle John addressed false teachings that denied the true humanity of Jesus. Some claimed that all physical matter was inherently evil and therefore Jesus could not have truly come in the flesh.

John’s response was direct and personal:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
— 1 John 1:1

John was not communicating philosophy, theory, or speculation. He was testifying about someone he personally knew.

Jesus was not merely a good teacher, respected rabbi, or political reformer. While those descriptions contain elements of truth, they fall short of John’s declaration.

👉 Jesus is God who became flesh and dwelt among us.

The Christian faith begins with the reality that God made Himself personally knowable through Jesus Christ.

Ps Isaac also challenged us to consider what prevents us from truly experiencing Jesus today.

Referencing Dallas Willard, he noted:

“The biggest danger to having a relationship with Jesus is hurry.”

Modern life is filled with distractions. Phones, social media, entertainment, busyness, and constant activity can create an unintentional blindness to God’s presence.

To encounter Christ more deeply, we must intentionally create space through:

• Meaningful pauses
• Scripture reading
• Listening more than speaking
• Sabbath rest
• Solitude with God
• Intentional reflection

John’s message also reminds us that Jesus did not simply come to save us; He came to teach us how to live.

Like disciples who followed a rabbi closely, learning not only his teachings but also his way of life, Christians are called to apprentice themselves to Jesus. We learn from Him how life was meant to be lived.

Finally, John points us toward the source of complete joy.

The Greek word translated as “fellowship” is koinonia, which means participation.

Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation.

We are invited into participation with God and participation with one another.

In a culture increasingly affected by loneliness and disconnection, biblical fellowship remains one of God’s gifts for human flourishing. Although relationships can be messy and costly, every person was created to know others and be known by others.

John’s desire was to share the life-changing discovery he had made through years spent with Jesus.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”
— 1 John 1:3-4

True joy is found not merely in knowing about Christ, but in participating in life with Him and His people.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
• Jesus is God incarnate and can be personally known.
• Christianity is built on a relationship with a real and historical Jesus.
• Hurry and distraction can hinder our relationship with God.
• Following Jesus means learning His way of life.
• Fellowship is participation, not merely attendance.
• Complete joy is found in relationship with God and authentic Christian community.

As we reflect this week, let us ask ourselves:

Am I making space to truly know Jesus, or am I allowing hurry and distraction to shape my life?

May we slow down, draw near to Christ, and experience the joy that comes from walking closely with Him and His people.

🙏 Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to slow down and make room for Your presence in our daily lives. Remove the distractions and hurry that keep us from knowing You more deeply. Teach us to follow the way of Jesus, to grow in genuine fellowship with one another, and to find our true joy in relationship with You. May our lives reflect Your love and truth as we walk closely with You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.